Emporia State University - Sunflower Yearbook (Emporia, KS)

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for the candidates of their respective societies, take a short breathing space after the contest, gain a new supply of vocal power and set their voices to a new use. Now comes the formation of deep, dark plots, everybody looks mysterious, whispers of coalitions are rife, but all rumors are unsubstantiated. The day of the Oratorical Association meeting arrives. Delegates are to be elected to accompany the orator. No. 44 is crowded to the doors, and excited and perspirinig stu- dents gasp for breath at open windows. The major- ity side looks happy, the minority correspondingly miserable. Could Room 44 speak, what tales could it not tell! This year wh-en the Association was called to order by Acting President Hartsock, both sides looked ex- pectant. At the last moment all the deep, dark plots were unearthed. The School stood astonished. The Literati and the Lyceum Societies had formed a coa- lition, a thing unknown and never before thought of. Together they were invincible by force of numbers, un- less in some way checkmated by the allied Belles and Philos. A master-move was prepared by these latter, but could not be put into execution, because the ma- jority sid-e voted an adjournment. Another meeting called was adjourned by the President, because its object was not stated in the call. Caucus followed caucus. The opposing factions withdrew to opposite sides of the room an-d invented yells to suit the occa- sion. Songs were sung. Excitement ran high. At last the meeting was again called to order, and again the minority attempted to have its new members voted ing again their master-move was checkmated. Suddenly the minority supply of patience became exhausted, and following their leaders, they indignantly adjourned to Room 12. Delegates were elected in both places, and the way prepared for the stormy meeting which fol- lowed in April. This time President Blood called the meeting to order. Determination, grim and unalter- able, was written upon the faces of all. Mr. Ward, of the Lyceum, was the first speaker and- breathed forth a spirit of brotherly love through ea ten-minute oration, prolonged by frequent interruptions from the oppos- ing factions, whose members were continually rising to points of order or questions of personal privilege. Mr. Ward advocated compromise, and gracefully ad- vised the majority to yield anything save the point contended for. He talked much of the thunderbolt which had launched itself into Room 12, and solemnly declared that man is a dual being, which astonishing piece of information was received in absolute silence by the audience, and elicited the advice from the Presi- dent that the speaker confine his remarks to his sub- ject. This the gentleman did, and proved that man in his dual nature had made the previous division pos- sible and now a peaceful reunion probable. Mr. Car- son, growing impatie-nt, rose to a question of personal privilege and inquired, Mr. President, are' we here to transact business or are we here to be bored by a lengthy speech ?', For the present we are to be bored, announced the President-but we were not. The discussion was led on one side by Messrs. Car- son, Brown, Powell, Bruton, Kelsey, McGinnis, and Wyantg on the other by Messrs- Ward, Mulliken, Brookins, I-fuffman, Hartsock and Durham.

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The Oratorioal Association. HE Oratorical Association, as a feature of the intellectual and combative training of the in- stitution, has no parallel. Originally organ- 'zed to further the interests of higher literary work, o create an interest in oratory, and to take part in the contests for the Interstate League of Normal Schools, its purpose has been most faithfully fulfilled. Higher literary work has never received more atten- tion than from the members of the various classes of the past few years. Poets, orators, embryo novel- ists, future journalists, essayists and philosophers have sprung up among us. Their pens have won them much local fame, and who shall say but that in future years the Kansas Normal shall provide a new galaxy for the literary firmament. At present they still thrive prosper, the wonder and admiration of friends schoolmates. the Interstate League Kansas has taken no dis- 'able place. She may well review her record with t pride. At the first contest, held in Warrens- bu-,,, Mo., May 7, 1897, Mr. Ira J. Bradford represented Kansas and won second place. With characteristic modesty Kansas was unwilling to render herself con- spicuous in the beginning. The next year the con- test was held in Albert Taylor Hall and Kansas, in courtesy, took for herself the lowest .place that the visiting States might not return home unhappy. In '98, convinced that modesty and extreme courtesy had held hier long from revealing her real power, Kansas sent forth the winning orato-r, who triumphantly won first place, and returned amid a chorus of yells and songs that caused Illinois and Missouri to rub their eyes and stare. Ah, in those days were great rejoic- ings! The name of Allen TL St. Clair shall be pre- served in song and story through many generations of students. He is the man who shall head a list of glori- ous victories. In '98 Miss Anna Patterson was sent to Iowa., winning third place, and in '99 Miss Mary B. Martin to Wisconsin, but Kansas fortune was at low ebb, and the sunflower came home with drooping head. Fifth place wasn't so bad, perhaps. It was only a case of mistaken judges. Thisyear Miss Iva E. Pur- dum, the most gifted of the student poets, won first place in the local oratorical contest, and was sent to Warrensburg, Mo., where she took second place. But not alone is our oratorical power exerted among our sister States. Tht Oratorical Association, in its local meetings, gives its members a training which should fit them for future debates in Congress. The people who have yelled themselves hoarse in shouting

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The battle waged fiercely and long. At length folded her white wings and perched once more on the a compromise was agreed upon, and the matter placed in the hands of a committee. The Association met a K. N. banners. The delegates were even y societies, and the School shouted, Union for 1 apportioned among the four week later and adjourned without accomplishing its ever! Ho, for Warrensburg and first places purpose. At last the eommittee reported, and peace 1+ ul we , . I F ,LQLIQLQ l,'i, J-1 ' A'-'lf ' -Wg , '.'.wff. , 1 7 , .4 49- MQ as-.zsiixa was Wes ve.. fa