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COMMUNICATIONS.
ORATORICAL CONTEST—A NEEDED REFORM For several years there has been a tendency on the part of our oratorical contestants to present essays instead of orations. And often, much to the surprise of the audience, the essays have carried the day against orations. The contestants have discovered that an essay will get a much better grade on thought and composition than an oration. This tendency reached its climax at the state contest last Friday. An audience was never more completely taken by surprise than that at the contest when the decision was announced. Almost everyone there expected to see Welding get first place. He had held the attention of the audience more closely than any other orator. He had charmed them by the ease of his gestures and the melody of his voice. And yet the first place was given to a cold, philoso phical essay which made little impression on the audience.
Now are we going to allow this to continue? Are we going to drive true oratory from our contests by continuing to lay so much stress upon thought and composition?
The purpose of the orator is very different from that of the writer. The writer addresses himself to the intellect. He endeavors by subtlety of thought and logical reasoning, to make his reader see the truths which he is advocating. The orator on the other hand should endeavor by the power of language, by the harmony of woris and the melody of the human voice, to make his hearers feel what he says. He should not seek for depth of thought, but precision and beauty of expression.
The orations of Demosthenes have been held as models for all time. Yet they display little subtlety of thought. "It is not because of the cogency of their logic or the riches of their thought that so high a rank is assigned to them. Their chains of reason are simple; there is in them no profound wisdom. But in their power to stir the feelings, a power ever controlled by a perfect taste, they stand as models for all time."
Now the same qualities which constitute the excellence of the orations of Demosthenese should be sought by orators of today. An audience will never be influenced by a philosophical essay which begins with the statement that "Progress is the law of Nature." proceeds through all the weary processes of the sylogism to the climax, "Man is constituted with a moral and religious nature," and finally reaches the conclusion that we are progressing. Yet such has been the nature of many college orations which gained high honors. The audience usually sleeps during such an oration and does not wake up fully until the decision is announced giving it first place.
Now I do not wish to cast any reflections upon the winning orator. He prepared his oration to meet the conditions which it had to face, and the event proves his wisdom. Neither do I wish to reflect upon the judges on thought and composition. They undoubtedly tendered their decision fairly under the conditions presented to them. But I do say that it is unjust to subject an oration
to the same test as an essay. Some method of judging should be devised which will give true oratory a better chance. This might be done either by having the judges on thought and composition judge by mere by hearing the orations or by letting thought and composition count for only one fourth instead of one half. It would probably require considerable discussion to determine the exact method best suited to the purpose, but at any rate something should be done. C.S.G.
Mrs. Carruth very pleasantly entertained the ladies of the Cycle and Rota literary clubs last Saturday afternoon, Mrs Dr. Walker read a very interesting paper on Queen Louise. The Cycle and Rota clubs, although not much talked about, are doing excellent work at their weekly meetings. The same is true of the three boys' clubs now in the University. The interest in these clubs has greatly increased this year. Last year there were only two of them doing work. This year, notwithstanding the fact that the most prominent club of last year has ceased to do work, there are six clubs doing regular work. But there is still room for more of them.
The University was well represented in the Robinson Rifles. Geo. Foster was first lieutenant; Clarence Sears, second lieutenant; F. O., Hellstrom, law '92, orderly sergeant; F. P. Daniels and Otis Allen, sergeants. The company received many compliments on its appearance, most notably its appearances company on the grounds' entrance. Lewelling said that it was "his most reliable company." K. U., students seldom take part in anything without carrying off the highest honors.
The University boys who went to Topeka to die for their country showed very poor judgment. Kansas would probably have continued to exist under its present form of government if they had stayed at some. Yet, if they were in Topeka, Texas to dislike themselves, they should have gossip as private citizen's and not as representatives of the University. The University is above varty strife.
At the meeting of the State Oratorical Association, two men claimed a seat as second delegate from Washburn. After each had been heard, a vote was taken, which resulted, much to the surprise of the K. U. delegates, eight to six in favor of Mr. Finney. Finney, it seems, did not have a shadow of a claim to the seat, but some of the delegates had entered into an agreement beforehand
At a meeting of the athletic board last Tuesday the base ball manager was authorized to rent the old armory so that practice in base ball could begin at once. R K. Moody was elected business manager of the base ball and foot ball teams. As in all probability a triangular league field day will be held here, a committee was appointed to arrange for a running track on the athletic grounds.
The pretty and appropriate,designs on the programs at the dance on Tuesday night was furnished by Leo E. Little.
One of the most delightful social events in University circles this season was the dance at Merchant's Bank hall last Tuesday evening. About thirty couples danced to the music furnished by the Mandolin club. Supper was served at 12 o'clock in Weidemann's best style, when dancing was resumed and continued until a late hour. The dance was given under the auspices of the "Independents," and so successful was the affair that another is promised in the near future.
J. J. KUNKEL, MERCHANT TAILOR.
740 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kan.
NORTH COLLEGE.
Mettner, Only the Best Photos.
719 Mass. St.
MUSIC HALL.
The class in musical forms has begun work in composition. Let the world be prepared for the advent of some great composers
The laws haye an enrollment of eighty-five.
Moot court did not sit Monday as Judge Green was not present.
A number of the music girls went to Topcks to the oratorial contest.
Music hall has presented a very attractive appearance the past week. It answers very well for an art gallery, and the pictures are quite becoming to it. The exhibit has been a great success in so much as the display of art was extensive and of a high standard, but the limited patronage of the students and citizens was not very gratifying to the professors.
It is rumored that some of our students will take part in the World's Fair musical contest, which will be held at Hutchinson, Kan., this spring. The first prize offered is free transportation to and from Chicago, with special privileges while at the fair. There are several other prizes offered in the way of medals. Our students in both piano and voice ought to stand high in this contest.
The law department was well represented at the contest.
Renninger and Champlin are able to be in class again.
The waste places are filled with song as the Juniors entertain all comers daily with free concerts.
The seniors have selected a beautiful and expensive design for their commencement inpitations.
We won't mention any names this time, but there is a man, at North College, looking for authority to prove his statement that the earth is flat.
Martin, our poet, has gone home, being unable to prosecute his work on account of insomnia.
Professor Green attended the contest
Rah, rha, rhe!
Class of '93
Rock Chalk, Jay Hawk.
At a meeting of the faculty members of the Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity, last week, the following six students of the senior class were elected to membership: Misses Alberta Corbin and Edith Manley, and Messrs. Thornton Cooke, S. J. Hunter, R. D. O'Leary and W. D. Ross. Four others of the senior class will be elected to membership later in the term, when the mistakes in the recording of their grades in the registrar's office will have been rectified. Admission to this society is on the ground of scholarship as determined by grades, particularly by grades on work in English. The faculty members of this society are Chancellor Snow and Professors Blake, Canfield, Carruth, Engel, Robinson and Wilcox.
Pure linen handkerchiefs 25 cents at Abe Lye's sale.
Levy is having a sale on all goods, he is going to fix up his store, wants to make room: Call and see him.
W. M. CLAYTON,
1027 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kan.
Boot, Shoe and Harness Maker.
G. W. ELLIS, Agent
Special rates for students.
Jung Leung,
Chinese Laundry.
West Warren Street.
Greatest Variety of Styles in
WE SHOW THE
DERBYS
of any house in town at
$2, $3, $4, $5.
W. BROMELSICK.
The K S U Hatter.
The American Clothier.
M. J. SKOFSTAD,
18 RECEIVING
Spring Clothing!
Retail Clothing at Wholesale Prices.
Don't Neglect this Chance
To buy standard works of greatest authors for almost "next to nothing prices."
Conquest of Mexico, Elliott's Works, Scott's Works, Emerson's Essays, Edna Lyal's Works, Conquest of Peru, Dicken's works, Thackeryay's works, Cooper's works, Shakespeare's works, and many other standard sets at prices so low that we do not care to quote them in these columns, for we want you to come to our store and find out for yourselves. If you want new books, not worn-out stock, and lowest prices come to us.
Field & Gibb Book and Stationery Co.
Theme Paper Quiz Books, Etc. 939 Mass. St.
GO TO JOHN WATKINS'
FOR
Kaw Valley Steam Dye Works.
All kinds of liddos and gents' clothing
Cleaned, Dyed & Repaired.
A. S. BOOTH Mass. and Berkley Sts
DR. WHEELER,
DENTIST
Amal- am illings 50 cents. Gold fillings half the renal price. Extracting silver fillings 20 cents.
829 Mass, Street, Lawrence, Kan.
For Neat Repair of Boots & Shoes
James
-CALL ON-
Edmondson,
WILDER BROS.
Two Doors North of Mcintire's
Shirt Makers
TELEPHONE 67;
AND
Gents' Furnishers.
Work Called for and Delivered.
You will do well by calling on us and be fitted out in Shirts and Underwear that have been made to order for parties and not taken. You can buy the finest goods for one-third the money. Patronize our Custom Steam Laundry for nice work and low prices.
Everybody Knows the
Popular Firm
M. B. WRIGHT & CO.,
JEWELERS.
1034 Main St..
Kansas City, Mo.
K. S. U. Students
Can find a very large stock of miscellaneous books in all styles of bindings, from all the publishers, at Kellam's, Topeka. Special low prices will be given to all students. Estimates furnished on any book. Write us for catalogue and prices.
Kellam Book and Stationery Co.,
603 Kansas Ave., Topeka.
WOODWARD'S
Is headquartere for fine
CIGARS!
"PICCADURA!"
Dime quality for nickel price is
NEW BAKERY.
H. T. HUTSON,
Special Rates to Clubs.
709 Vermont St.
Bakery, Confectionery & Lunch Stand. Kansas - Bakery. 841 Mass. Street