Fitchburg High School - Boulder Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

Page 30 text:

The Debating! Club. D uring the month of December, 1900, there was considerable talk of organizing a debating society. This had been tried in previous years with little or no success, but now there was the chance of defeating Leominster in another line, and by so doing to obtain a claim on the Paton cup. So in a short time the talk materiali zed and a committee was chosen to draw up a constitu- tion. This committee did their work as it should be done, and the club met for the first time January 4. At this meeting William Fisher was elected president, Miss Day vice-presi- dent, and P ' rank Smith secretary. The first debate was held one week later, with Mr. Hitchcock as judge. The debate was very good for the first one, though of course there were weak points that were very prominent. But under the skillful hands of the teachers, who acted as judges, these were speedily corrected and everything gave promise of a winning team. Inability on the part of some mem- bers to assimilate the rules and reg- ulations of the club caused the waste of two or three afternoons in a sense- less endeavor to suspend a member for not debating whenever it suited the fancy of incompetent rhetorical committees. These attempts failed, however. There were some exceedingly unique subjects proposed for the debaters, which would puzzle wiser heads than those of the high school pupils to study over. The time eventually came around when it became necessary to choose the debaters who were to compete with those of Leominster. Six mem- bers of the club were chosen, who were to have a trial debate. From these six Mr. Claman, Mr. Cow- drey, and Mr. Smith were chosen to represent Fitchburg, with Mr. Bing- ham as alternate. After the team was chosen, interest declined eon- siderably. The long looked-for evening came at last. The Fitchburg supporters were in or near the high school building when the Leominster con- tingent arrived. They could be heard long before they were seen, but try as they would they couldn’t make as much noise as Fitchburg. Before the debate was opened the High School orchestra rendered a few selections, and they also entertained while the judges were out. Ex- Mayor Lowe presided and intro- duced each speaker. The speakers for Fitchburg were excellent. Their manner was easy and confident, their delivery free, their points convincing and numerous, and their proofs un- questionable. They used no notes

Page 29 text:

Somebody tells us that Pete’s left leg has the blind staggers. Compliments IPeterson iRear on, P botograpberg, 386 Bbain St., fitebburg. After Obear rang the bell. Conductor — “ Did you touch that bell ?” Obear — “No, but I touched the rope.’’ And the bench never smiled.

Page 31 text:

feeautv and B Mathematician — Miss Fairbanks and Mr. Cobb. Chamberlain-Huntress Co. THE RELIABLE DRY GOODS STORE. Vacation Necessities may be obtained at our store in a better variety, at right prices, than, probably, you can get at any other store in or anywhere near Fitchburg. New, Correct in Shirt Waists, Belts, Ready-to-wear Skirts, Hosiery and Styles . . Underwear, Cotton Underwear, Corsets, novelties in Neck- wear, etc. Carpets always in stock. The most complete line of serviceable and pretty floor coverings to be found in the city. ALL MAIL ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. C. A. FOSTER, ALWAYS try the best! THEREFORE BUY YOUR Cigars and Tobacco, ICE CREAM .. OF .. 180 MAIN STREET. NUTTING TRUE, 36 Main St. Bakers and Confectioners. Fitchburg ' business College, • 145 Main Street, Fitchburg. The textbooks in use in our Cointnereial Department are endorsed by Expert Accountants from Boston, and our system of Shorthand is endorsed by most of the Official Reporters of the United States. Our teachers are men of lon experience and specialists in their work. Therefore we attain the highest possible results in the shortest possible time, and assist all graduates to a good position. Call and see us. T . FULLMER, RrincipaL Miss Woodward’s college yell; “Auxilyer, rah! rah I rah! rah! rahry!”