Yale University Law School - Yale Law Reporter Yearbook (New Haven, CT)

Page 86 text:

THE YALE SHINGLE. 81 Gentlemen, I thank you for your very kind atten- tion. M. A. REvNor.Ds. We cannot omit the opinions of the class at large in regard to the Kent Club. Some think that it serves a very useful purpose-one even declaring it to be a grand success, and another unhesitatingly pronouncing it to be the best debating club in the Law School. For the experience and training to be gained, quite a number recommend it. One says it is the cradle of orators, while another calls it a howling failure. Afarce, No good, A step in the right direction, but only one step, Footless, Very useful, Excellent, H Idea is good, Strong opinion reserved, are instances of the conflicting criticisms passed. Levy thinks it is not a success. Society allegiance is the cause of its ruin, according to another. Paueity of ideas is mentioned as its chief attribute. About thirty men confess that they are members, while five others say, significantly, that they once were. One man had never heard of it, while another didn't have the price. Not worth Sz, Ruled out for proficiency in speaking, Advice and observa- tion, Want of time and money, are given as reasons for not joining. The club was too exclusive for one who hated to 'fwaste his sweetness on the desert air. Suggestions of remedies for the present defects range from the most visionary schemes to total aboli- tion. Re-organization is demanded by several. A wider range of exercises and greater interest and

Page 85 text:

SO Tllli YAl.l'I SIIINGIJC. The climax was 1'eached when Moore, called again to the lloor, began with emphatic :f'left-hand gesture, Friends, Romans, Country-men ..... No pen can even passably describe that burning Hood of eloquence. Suffice it to say that it was just at this point of time that Demosthenes experienced his closest shave. Having restored, by a long but very gradual peroration,our hearts to normal condition, he was about to take his seat, when to the delight of all, Bowers moved an extension of his time. Gouraud having magnaniniously declared he hadn't the slightest objection to a continuance, believing it would make no particle of diH'erenec in the vote, we were again treated to California's brightest fancies. Of the many astounding statements made in the debate one that will live longest and hence deserves special men- tion, is the following: We had a Lord out VVestg he worked on our farm, and really that man was so disgustingly low he would smoke a cigrrette after mc. The vote upon the merits of the debate was very close and Moore in the generosity of his heart land the extent of the generosity maybe inferred from the fact that he offered to pawn his overcoat to lend a friend live dollarsj made every effort to give the vic- tory to the opposition. Boys, do not take it ill if your names do notappear in this short article and Boys, don't take it ill if your names do appear. i For a last time to recall to your minds the Kent Club, upon which I cannot place to high a value and to which I wish all success. -Y-mT .Nole.mvwE1oi'e is pxzolmbly lel't-handed.

Page 87 text:

S2 Tllli YAl,l'I SlllNGl.l'I. enthusiasm, closer lilial relations, among its mem- bers, more time for speakers, silence and thought, a sergeant-at-arms, more encouragement to the debaters, fewer meetings, disbandment and utter annihilation are the irreconcilable plans for improvement pro- posed. One man suggests turning it into a thinking club, while another thinks it could be successfully changed into a Vaudeville Club, with Carey to do serpentine dancesf' Levy's invincible point and 'l'yner's arguments are mentioned as strong points of the Kent Club. The practice and skill to be derived from debating are considered real advantages by several, while others praise the debates themselves and the general management. Levy's retirement from the club caused many to become suspicious as to its real value. The greatest defects arise from the marked lack of interest in the proceedings and ignorance of parlia- mentary usage. One laments the lack of Democrats and consequent Republican plurality when the Club becomes a Congress. Another thinks the members should be compelled to attend, for an orator can do very little before an audience of undemonstrative benches. Un the whole, although a few praise the Kent Club, and all commend the efforts of its offi- cers to increase its usefulness, there is still a feeling that some changes should be made which will render it more efhcient in its results, and more in eonsonanee with our ideas of such an organization.