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The University Courier.
The Senior Pharmics met last Thursday and decided on pins, class motto, etc. They ordered $78 worth of programs and 16 pins worth $5 each. Mr. Youngberg will be their class orator.
The State Oratorical Contest.
The State Oratorical Contest took place last Friday night in Topeka. K. U. was represented by a large delegation. Many of our boys fearing they would not be there in time went Thursday morning, and every train that left Lawrence from then till Friday night carried University students.
By eight o'clock the Grand Opera house was nearly filled with college students from various parts of the State and the yelling began. Baker and Washburn were confident of winning and made the fact known. The K. U. delegation was too much scattered to get in their best work, but we had the advantage of the best yell, and "Rock Chalk," could be heard above the din. No tin horns were allowed to be used and the very best order was preserved throughout the evening.
The program was opened by a song by the Washburn Chorus club, consisting of six male and eight female voices. Then followed prayer by Rev. Embree. The first oration was by Wm. M. Carle of the College of Emporia. His subject was, "The Foundation of Republican Government." He was quite graceful in general appearance and gestures, but his voice was wanting. He expelled too much breath to have a clear voice, and his delivery was monotonous.
Since our space here is limited and the orations have all been published and read by most every one, we will make no mention of the subject matter of any of the orations.
The second speaker was Chas. N. Riehl of S. W. Kansas College, Winfield, who took for its subject, "The Great City." He spoke early and forcibly, but began with his voice its utmost tension and had no room to work p. He soon got hoarse and before the end is voice seemed nearly given out.
with a vocal solo, that received a merited encore.
Miss Hallie Walker, instructor in Voice Culture at Washburn, then entertained the audience
The third orator was M. S. Rice of Baker University, on "Government and its Functions." He was a favorite from the time he stepped on the stage. His voice had a natural-ruggedness and force which was pleasing, and his delivery was not so monotonous as either of those who preceded him.
W. C. Coleman of the State Normal was the next speaker. His subject was, "The Philosophy of Reform." His delivery was easy and forcible. The best feature of it was that he attracted little attention to himself, but kept the audience thinking of what he was saying.
Charles Wagstaff of Salina, then gave a trombone solo that received an encore, but he did not respond.
The fifth speaker was I. F. Bull of Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina. He talked as if he was soliloquizing. He seemed to forget once, but by a clever ruse of taking a drink succeeded in remembering his part.
The next speaker, Julius Weidling of Washburn, spoke on "Heroism in the Realm of Thought." He showed a good deal of training and his delivery was most pleasing. He was very confident of his own ability and attracted much attention to himself.
The University Glee club then made a great hit with a song that received an encore.
Thornton Cooke followed with his oration on "The Struggle for Liberty." He appeared easy and composed, and if he had had the necessary amount of training to bring out his voice he would no doubt have ranked much higher than he did.
The last speaker was John Kjellin of Ottawa University, on the time worn theme, "Through Difficulties to the Stars." He was under some disadvantage on account of deficient enunciation. Otherwise his delivery was easy and natural.
The program closed with a song by the State Normal Institute. After a half hour's time, during which the audience were entertained by the University Glee club, and by an exhibition
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