At Emporia.
Lawn
p at
To a middle-aged man or woman, who yet retains a recollection of youth and its generous ambitions and unworn enthusiasm, there could be no more inspiring spectacle than the contest at Emporia o Friday night, and its surroundings. It is not often in the year that one sees such a gathering of hearty-voiced young fellows, and such graceful and bright-faced young women; such rivalry and yet such good humor, and such unchecked yet innocent merriment; and in short, gets in the midst of such a "jolly row." The high old name of the engagement which was fought out at Emporia was the "Sixth Annual Contest of the Kansas Oratorical Association.
The "field" was the Hotel Whitley and the Whitley opera house, which are opposite to each other. All the sights and sounds of the contest centered in these two places, and it was worth a thousand days of common life to see and hear it all. The "boys" held the office, the girls the parler upstairs, and there was a good deal of promenading up and down stairs, by "joint committees" of both sexes, and agrand crowd at the supper table. Of course, as on the occasion of the "hop," given on the night before the battle of Waterloo, "soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again," with the variation that in the midst of the looking, the male party was apt to break out in an eustatic cry of "Brewster!" "Baker!" or "Rock Chalk, Jay-hawk, K. U." the last warwhoope of the State University. Of course badges were as thick as leaves in Vallambrocca, or Arkansas or any timber country, the yellow for Emporia college, the entertainers; the blue of Washburn, the white of Baker and so on.
The fun really began with the arrival of the trains late in the afternoon with the delegations of students and visitors from Lawrence, Tepeka, Baldwin City and Ottawa. Many visitors came from the west on the early afternoon train, but in the language of a former federal official in Kansas "the whole thing calumaniated" when the gas was lit at the Hotel Whitley, and the hotel was filled "allow and aloft" with the young folks."
To the old stagers, accustomed to the crowds at political convention; where the axe is brought to sharpen and the toll worn grindstone turns, the sight of the "boys" in oratorical association assembled; so many smooth faces, so many musches taking their first view of a world filled with razors of all sorts, and the sound of such a multitude of eager voices, was like the sight of springing wheat and pench blossoms, compared with a shorn and sunburned stubble field. If it had not been ridiculous for anybody to be said in such a place, the veteran could easily have grown melancholy in thinking of what the despoiler, Time, had in store for them; how these lithe, straight figures would grow bubulous and sway backed, and these bright eye-glaeses and spectacles and goggles, and these open-dunged chaps become secretive and malicious, and prowl around in dark corners and "get even" with folkies; and in short the whole outfit turn to "staeesmen" and a burden to themselves and the earth. But then up-stairs, where the girls looked over the staircases railings, or gathered about the piano, or the favorite "Mr. Baldwin," or "Mr. Rock Chalk," there was so much to do in the way of description, that this confounded old stub penil refuses to perform its office.
There was a grand and glorious rush for tickets. It was difficult to understand the arrangement, on which the tickets were distributed, and perhaps there was none, but after a great deal of trading and chaffering, and in many instances generous giving up of places to ladies and strangers, everybody and everybody's lady got places by purchase at the box office or otherwise. There was a continuous wide stream of people pouring into the opera house until the gallery and parquet and boxes were filled, but not the stage. It was left for the president and the piano, and the orators, and the singers who came and went. This was a good notion. It is the abomination of desolation to crowd the plat
form, and have the orator feeling that he must talk to an audience behind as well as before him, and feeling all the while that a hundred pair of eyes are glaring at the small of his back. The distinguished guests sat in the wings.
There was no band or orchestra t play the overature from "Poet and Peas ant."
The first oratory heard was that of H. P. Hilbard, of the Emporia College, who delivered the address of welcome, briefly and sensible. It was different from the ordinary welcoming address which begins the dinner with custard and too much of that.
The first oration was that of Mr. Frank E. Reed, of the Kansas State University, Mr. Reed's was "Limited Immigration." Mr. Reed spoke in a clear straightforward manner, and kept in the middle of the road as far as his argument was concerned. He seemed convinced that foreign immigration to these shore was an unmixed evil, and that it was his duty to say so. He wanted no Chinese, nor did he indicate that he wanted anybody else. It was a very clear and consistent speech of the "Native American" order.
Mr. W. II. Isley of Ottawa, spoke on "Our Antagonist our Helper." Mr. Isley had the disadvantage of a worn theme, and a voice not naturally strong but spoke with what might be called a "sad sincerity," on the advantage of opposition in this world, an advantage of which it may be said it may be enjoyed cheaply and in abundance.
Mr. Wm. Parsons of the Emporia College, delivered an address, "Ireland's Oppressor America's Enemy" which while deficient in delivery, was somewhat remarkable in its subject and its treatment Mr. Parsons whose features indicated that he was descended from an ancestor who at Newton-Butler smote the Catholic Irish even as Israel smote Amalex, believed that the British government is a good one and that the curse of Ireland is the Pope and his priests, who are also enemies of American liberty. Ireland, he maintained, owes her misfortunes to Irishmen, who bow down to the Vatican. This, of course, did not meet the views of those who believe the curse of Ireland is quarreling about religion, and in Irishmen cracking each others skulls on the 12th of July about the battle of the Boyne, feight two hundred years ago. Mr. Parson's oration was very well written.
The hopes of a good portion of the audience was evidently centered on Mr. H. B. Foster, of Baldwin University, whose subject was "The Crisis" Mr. Foster had the advantage of those who had preceded him, in apparently greater age and more robust physique and voice. He was the first, too, who showed the results of clocutionary training. His voice was quite molliodous. As to his theme it was colored with the same "dim religious light as its predecessors a belief in a beneficent, Supreme Being, who governs the world, but who may allow the United States to be destroyed by a combination of Herr Most and the Pope, if we are not all very careful.
A kindly interest was manifested on the appearance of Mr. G. I. Adams, the represcient of the State Normal School and the youngest man on the program. The appearance of the fair-haired youth, eighteen, we believe, in fact, but looking sixteen, was the signal for very hearty and general applause, and all listened with great interest to what he had to say about "Standing on our Father's Shoulders;" his address was practical, and sympathetic, and his gestures were natural and graceful.
Then came Brewster, and a great demonstration from the wearers of the blue. The hope of Washburn, as he sat waiting, seemed to have, seen from the back of the house, a cast of countenance not unlike early pictures of Edwin Booth. In any event the speaking eye, the long, lean mobile actor's face, were there. His theme being "Progress and its Agencies," he made progress as he went along, and finally woke a cheer that took in, not his friends alone, but the whole house, and toward the last this applause became frequent. It was evident he was a winner. He spoke of hope and a better day certain, unlike the others, who seemed to think the country proceeding
to infinite evil by a diagonal cut across the fields. When he closed there was no doubt about the result.
Then the judges were called for, and the president, Mr. Mushrush, left the platform, calling Vice President Foster to the chair, and the "Cherubs" sang.
There had been music at the evening. The company had listened to the full, round, satisfactory voice of Miss Madge Overstreet, and to the big "Washburn Glee Club," who were recalled, and to the robust voice of Prof. Zartman, but the Cherubs: Cherub Townsley and Cherub Chamberlain, and Cherub Platt, and Cherub Donnell, set everything aging, and while the great crowd waited for the verdict, the "Cherubs" sang, and one of the listeners wondered why a supposed-to be merciful Providence condemned him to listen to the strained, cracked, screechers and whoopers, who fill the orchestral stage, white such voices as, say, Cherub Chamberlain's are lost to the world. After the "Cherubs" came the Baker University quartett, and then a sudden stillness, and—not the judges, but President Mushurh, with their decision, Mr. Frank E. Reed had taken the second prize and Mr.A.W. Brewster, of Washburn college the first, and then "uprose so wild a yell," and we forget the rose of the quotation, and the house rang and the blue banner of Washburn was waved frantically from a private box, and it rained and stormed and blew handkerchiefs Then "broke" the meeting, and flocked down the stairs and across the street to the Whitty and into the office, and up the stairways and into the parlor and in the corridors an exceeding multitude, and Brewster stood in the midst, and old men and young men, and old women and young women, an exceeding number, too numerous to be enumerated, fell upon his neck and wept, and there rose a sound as of the voice of many waters, of "Brewster!" "Brooster!" "Broos-tah!" [Here the wire broke.]—State Journal.
Orophilian.
G. A. Haury, critic; D. R. Krehbiel, chorister; C. M; Sherer, sargent-at-arms, and J. G. Wine, reporter.
The new officers of Orophilian—G. O.
Virtue, president, and S. H. Miller,
secretary — presided at the meeting last
Friday evening. The following appoint-
ments were made:
The program was one of the most interesting that have been presented this year. An interesting feature was the talk on West Point, by C. B. Sweezey, who has been in school at that place for some time past.
The society decided to meet each Friday might hereafter, and it is expected that interest in the work will, by this arrangement, be increased.
The following is the program for tonight:
H. Flegenbaum. A. Moagan.
READING:
ESSAYS:
R. R. Whitman, J. H. Newlin.
Mr. Nisson, E. E. Loderstrom
DECLAMATIONS:
ORATION8:
Alva Sweezey. R. D. O'Leary
DEBATE:
G. M. Culver, J. H. Hunter.
Resolved. That higher qualifications for naturalization are more essential to the welfare of our country than restriction of immigration..
Affirmative — Earnest Hickey, H. A.
Smith.
Palladium.
Palladium met at court house Feb. 9.
The following program was rendered
Extemporaneous speech. R. D. O'Leary
Parliamentary drill. H. C. Rigga
Debate-Resolved, That the Preparatory department of K. S. U. should not be abolished as proposed by the Moody bill.
Negative — W. W. Brown, Mr. Curry,
Negative—T. Hunt, H. C. Riggs.
Affirmative—S. A. Miller, G. W. Austin.
Negative—T. Hunt, H. C. Riggs.
Then fol lowed the critics . report after which the society adjourn to meet in one week.
State Oratorical Contest.
No better school can be found for the training of the youthful politician than a few days' service as a delegate to one of these conventions. He learns lots, and often comes away "a sadder but wiser man."
The sixth annual convention of the State Oratorical Association was no exception to its predecessors. The delegates were a fine body of representative students, and did honor to the institutions they represented. Their love and pride for their respective colleges was only equal to their desire for the lion's share of the "spoils," and to harmonize these conflicting interests, and bring order out of chaos, requires us a rule. two days and one long and dreary night of button-holing, reasoning, caucusing, scheming, palvering and honeyeting, getting mad and glad again, condemning and praising, and what not. But when at last the convention meets to do the work, Justice—with a big J—generally prevails, and everybody and each institution receives their just due. For students seldom let their selfish ambition blind their sense of right. And so it was at Emporia Saturday, about everyone leaving in good humor, feeling well satisfied with the result.
President Mushrush called the convention to order at 5 a'clock Friday evening, in one of the assembly rooms of the Emporia college. Secretary Harker reported that the seat of second delegate of Kansas State University was claimed by two representatives from that institution—R. A. Horton and H. F. M. Bear.
A committee on credentials was then appointed, consisting of the first delegate from each college. After about an hour's session, the committee brought in a unanimous report, declaring H. M. F. Bear to be the second delegate from K. S. U Mr. Horton asked that he might be allowed to present his case to the convention, before the report was voted upon. It was agreed that both the contestants should be allowed to present their claims before the report of the committee was taken up. As it was now about 7 o'clock the convention adjourned until 8:30 the next morning, to meet in the parlorso of the Whitley hotel.
It was after nine o'clock the next morning when President Mushrush called the convention to order. The report of the committee on credentials was then taken up. Mr. Horton made a brief defense of his claims, stating that he had his credentials from Mr. Johnson and Mr. Snow, and if they were not the legal president and secretary of the University association, he could go back and secure credentials from previous presidents and secretary's. As the State Constitution provides, that if there is doubt as to the present officers of the local association, that delegates shall be seated. who shall present credentials form the previous president and secretary.
Mr. Bear then laid his case before the convention. He stated that he stood by and honored the recent faculty decision, as much as did his friend, Mr. Horton. But, that accepting the faculty decision, by the minutes of the meeting, in which Messrs. Johnson and Snow were elected, it was found conclusively that there was not a quorum present, and therefore, they were not the legal president and secretary of the association. Then our State Constitution says, go back to the previous officers. Mr. Horton might have credentials from the previous president, but that he (Bear) had credentials from Mr. Street, whom he claimed was the previous secretary. Here, then, is a state of affairs, which our State Constitution does not cover.
What shall he do? Mr. Bear, then, presented his credentials from Messrs. Kellogg and Street, of the executive committee. He stated that the delegates from K. S. U. were seated last year at Baldwin, bearing credentials signed by this committee; that Mr. Culver had been seated in this convention, on the same credentials as he now presented, and that for these reasons he asked to be recognized.
After a short debate, the report was adopted and Mr. Bear seated by a vote of 8 to 3.
The convention then went into the amendment business. Many were adopted and several lost. About the only change of consequence being, that a delegate to the Inter-State can be chosen from the same college from which the orator comes.
The question of recognizing the "Students association of the Kansas State University" next came up. The justice of this claim was soon recognized, and President Mushrush, seemingly in the last agonies of death, announced that it had received the necessary two-thirds vowe—9-3—and was admitted. G. M. Ulver and A. D. Kennedy were recognized as the delegates from the new association and at "once took their places on the floor, and the old thirteen was no more." The constitution was so amended so that no orator can be recognized by the State association except those coming from the local associations, holding charters from the president. Thus after being killed, was the old and proverbial unlucky thirteen consigned forever to the tomb.
The officers of the association for the ensuing year were elected as follows, with but little contest; President, J. A. Hyden of Baker University; vice president, Mr. Creighton of Emporia Normal; secretary and treasurer, J. M. Parrington, of Emporia college. First delegate, F. E. Reed, of Kansas State University; second delegate, Robert Stone of Washburn; third delegate, M. H. Boomer of Ottawa University. The officers are well selected. And with Brewater at the head, Kansas sends a good delegation to Grinnell, Iowa. Mr. Stone of Washburn is a fine appearing man, and would do honor to any college. He is editor of the Washburd Reporter, and a strong friend of the students of K. S. U. All through the convention, he worked with Culver, Bear and Kennedy, and it goes without saying, that he has the thanks of the students for it.
Lawrence was decided upon as the place for holding the next annual contest. A resolution of thanks to the present officers was passed for their able discharge of their duties and the convention adjourned.
The Wesleyan College of Salina, was admitted into the association by a unanimous vote, and next year will have an orator on hand.
Mr. Boomer was not at the convention, but we understand, as his name implies, he is all right, and will help to boom up Kansas in the Inter State.
In the name of the students of K. S. U., we thank the delegates of Baker, Ottawa and Emporia College, and Mr. Stone of Washburn for their noble treatment of our cause. Welcome to Lawrence, next year
Athenaeum.
The following program will be given to night:
Reading...Miss Floyd
Declaration...Mr. McPherson
Essay...Miss Tinsley
Oration...M. McKinnon
Reading...H. E. Ellison
Essay...F. Lutz
Oration...P. H. Knowllon
Resolve d. That representatives in Congress should not necessarily be residents of those districts from which they are chosen.
Affirmative—R. D. Brown and C. W. Wright.
DEBATE.
Negative—J. A. Mushrush, and Stanley.
Dancing at the Merchants' Bank Building.
Prof. Ryan's Academy of Dancing open for ladies and gentlemen every Monday and Friday evening. Ladies private class every Monday afternoon. Ladies and children's class every Saturday afternoon. Mr. Ryan teaches all the most fashionable dances, making a speciality of the Waltz and Reverse. Pupils can enter at any time, their term commencing with the first lesson. Classes are always open for beginners. Reference required. For further information concerning tuition, etc., address
J. RYAN. Lawrence House,
Don't fail to see that fine line of 25 centi tors at Crains & Urbansky's.