Canisius College - Azuwur Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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3BuhIin Estate I Government Cwnership of the Railroads was the subject of the publlc debate given by the Debating Society on the evening of May 27 th. Although the public debates of the Society, for several years past, have been, without an exception, complete successes, it is an indusp-utable fact t-hat t-his proved to be the banner year for the Debating Society, for in no debate as yet held by that association has a more difficult subject been as competently and efficiently handled as the railroad topic this year. An appreciative and enthusiastic audience greeted the debaters. Rev. Rudolph Meyer, S'. J., superior of this province, together with many repre- sentative clergymen of the diocese, graced the occasion with their presence. The chairman of the debate, Mr. J. 'Parnell Quinlisk, 'opened the evening's discussion with a clear and comprehensive sketch of the railroad problem. To enter into the relative merits of the respective debaters is not within the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that all the speakers acquitted themselves very creditably. The affirmative speakers, Messrs. Frank A. WVanenmacher, Carl A. Brand and Edward J. Eschrich, as well as the negative speakers, Messrs. Leo E. Rennis, Hubert F. Crean and Andrew J. Brady, all showed in their respective addresses that they had mastered a very difficult and complex subject. The elegant diction, .the oratorical style, the logical reasoning.. and the graceful delivery were invariably mentioned in the various op-inions expressed on the debate. - An impromptu rebuttal followed the debate, and here the keeness of retort and ready command of language manifested by all of the speakers elicited the applause of the audience. The judges of the debate, the Hon. YVilliam H. Ryan, M. C., Hon. George A. Lewis, C. N. Millard, Rsq., David I.. Redmond, M. D., and Henry J. Doll, M. D., decided the debate in favor of the negative speakers. The chairman of the judges, the Hon. Wfilliam 'H. Ryan, in announcing the decision, congratu- lated the debaters and their professors. In the course of his remarks he said that although he had been a member of the Railroad Committee of Congress for many years he had never heard a clearer and more succinct statement by students 'of the railroad problem than in the deb-ate of the evening. Mr. Ryan, in concluding, again felicitated the debaters on the success of their efforts., and in the name of the judges he thanked them for the pleasant evening they had spent. A ' ' An informal reception was held in the parlor afterwards. The debaters. were introduced to the distinguished judges, and passed an instructive and entertaining hour with them. Mr. Ryan recounted many' sparkling anecdotes of the National Capital, discussed Teddy and his policies, and many of the serious questions of the day. All the judges reiterated their favorable com- ments on everything connected with the debate. ' ' 18 'f .

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The judges who acted at the Cratorical Contest were the following Canisius graduates: Messrs.: ' ' Charles V. Nellany, A. B., '91, LL. B. Henry Vom Berge, B. A., '92. Francis E. Fronczak, B. A., '94, M. D., LL. B. John M. Flannery, M. A., '02, M. D. ' Lawrence Highland, B. A., '98, M. D. ' The oratorical Contest for 1906- '07 was a pronounced success, and it furnishes but aj,-iotlleryof those entertainments whose happy conclusion adds to the prestige of their Alma l ater. ' ilibnmas il-Elura s , p Tuesday evening, April 23, 1907, the students presented their annual drama at the Star Theater before ia-large and enthusiastic audience. The historical tragedy, Thomas More, which is translated from the German, is a very difficult play, but the students were equal to the task, and executed their roles surprisingly well. ' The opening scene vividly portrayed the populer state of mind at the time. It brought out the story of the tragedy to the fullest advantage and prepared the audience for a better understanding of the complications about to follow. The staging throughout, with few exceptions, was of the best. p Leon Selman was an ideal type of Henry VIII. His conception of the role was good, reflecting the latent nobility of the king in his better moods and his reckless disregard of law, justice and religion when under the influence of passion, and the blandishments of his tempters. ' f Narcissus Sosnowski, in the title role, was ever calm and firm, opposing to the vehement and passionate outbursts of the infatuated king an unflinching voice in favor of law, order and justice. At times some disappointment might have been felt at the steady reserve of his character, for the More of history was of a merrier turn. Yet, when considering the trying circumstances in which he was placed, it must be granted that little opportunity was afforded to bring out this trait. Carl Borneman, as the fawning flatterer, Thomas Cromwell, and James Mahoney, as the cold, calculating Count Butler, ably portrayed their roles, and acted effectively for the better bringing into relief the unbending uprightness of More. - The more influential representatives of the citizen class-Martin Stock, Elias Sheep, and Pancratius Pepper, delineated by Frank Kempel, Henry Koch and Carl Brand, respectively -brought out sharply the differing opinions of the people on the absorbing questions of the day, and the iiery enthusiasm of Stock, the somewhat cynical judgment of Sheep and the liquor-inspired ravings of Pepper caused no little mcrriment. As the grand-children of More, Paul Horgan and Edward Poutie were well received by the audience. Martin Reiber assumed the role of Fowl, an invincible and intruding dema- gogue, which he acted very cleverly. Donald Gallagher, as Richard Rich, Parnell Quinlisk, as Foreman of the Jury, 'George Schneider, as Lord Chief Justice, Edwin Monnig, as Kingston, Raymond O'Rourke and Francis Pilliod, as servants to the king, all greatly contributed to render the performance a pronounced success. The Rt. Rev. Bishop, together with several distinguished monsignors, occupied a lower box, whilst a large number of the clergy held seats in the orchestra. B bbakespearean ikenital 'Mr. John Rummel, president of the New York Society of Elocution, gave a delightful reading of hfacbeth in the Hall, lllednesday afternoon, November 21, 1906. The masterly interpretation of many diflicult passages showed care- ful study and a thorough understanding of the play. That llfr. Rummel' s efforts pleased the audience was evident from the hearty and frequent applause accorded him. The Glee Club Orchestra added greatly to the pleasure of the afternoon, while Mr. Vfalter SaXer's violin solo was truly an artistic performance. l 17

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