Putnam patriot., 1916-03-31
P. II. s.
WINS DEBATE
Judges Decided Putnam Has the Best OF
kiIIingly in Close Contest
Loving Cup Presented Winners in Be-
bali of DanielsOn and Putnam
Chambers of Commerce


The assembly hall in the Putnam
high school building was we'll filled
Friday night by those interested in the
debate between Putnam and Killingly
High schools, the first intersehool de.
bate to be to be held since 1908. The
gathering consisted mostly OF women
and the student body of ,the school.
The contest was close and both teams
did themselves credit aud were a credit
TO their respective schools. The judges
decided in favor of Putnam and their
decision ne: with popular APPROVAL 1t
may be said, and probably without OBJ
lection, that Killingly appeared the
better in delivery, which counted for
one-third, but that in the arguments
and especially in the rebutal, Putnam
surpassed them.
The question in issue was as follows:
Resolved, That there should be COM
pulsory military training in secondary
schools and colleges of the United
States. The Killingly team had the
choice of sides and chose to uphold the
affirmative while Putnam argued for
the negative. The teams were com
posed of the following: Putnam,
Malcolm Wiley, captain; Miss Ruth
Child, Gould Beard and Percy Rich
ardson; Killingly, Homer Dixon, cap
tain; Louis Vandry, Eugene Reed and
Miss Alice Wells.
The judges were William Beach Ohm
sted, head master of Pomfret School;
Principal Perkins of Woodstock Aead.
envy, and Principal Chapman of Plain
field High school. The decision was
unanimous.
The local team had spared neither
time nor effort in preparing their ar
guments. They wrote many sletters
and received many replies and were
able to quote many well known edu-
Gators and educational bodies as OPP
posed to compulsory military training
in schools and colleges which was
very weighty argument in itself.
following premises: That compulsory
military training is the best physical,
mental and moral training; that ii is
the only means of preparedness; that
other means are unsatisfactory; that
the public opposes Ii large standing
army; that it would shorten war, if
war should come, and prevents con.
scription in war time; that cost should
not promote miiitarism.
Putnam S arguments were built upon
the following propositions: That mill
tary training is not the best physical
training, mental or moral; that the
prominent educators oppose it, that it
is question to be settled by educators;
that it is contrary to American ideals:
equality, religious freedom and justice;
that there are better plans for prepar-
edness,, non compulsory elective course,
summer military camps, federaliza'
ton of state militia.
During the intermission, while the
rebuttal was being prepared and while
the Judges were making their finding.
the school glee club furnished excel
lent vocal and instrumental selections.
Mr.. Olmsted announced the decision.
lie complimented The participants IN
the contest and told them that it was
one of the best school debates he had
ever attended. He Isaid that he was
pleased TO note that the deliveries
were made with but little reliance
upon notes. He said that he was
firm advocate of debating as 1t taught
self-reliance, self confidence, and taught
the pupil to think upon his feet In
public, training that would be found
valuable all of their lives.
Chester <. Child then presented the
cup. The rule in relation TO this tro
ply is that it does not become the
property of tie school until twice won.
He also eomplimented the pupils and
teachers on the excellence of the enter
tainment.
During the evening candy was on
sale in the corridor downstairs. The
proceeds of the debate are to be used to
furnish the school library with read
ing matter.