Debating, during the first year's existence of the Lincoln
High School, has been successful beyond the most optimistic
hopes of those individuals who have endeavored to make the
forensic art a prominent factor in High School life.
Though nothing was done the first month of the year, owing
to the unsettled conditions, a debating association was formed
as soon as the Lincoln was opened, with the following officers:
President, Leo Baisden; Vice-President, Warren Smith; Secretary, Arthur Carr; Treasurer, George Mathieu; Manager, Ben
Ohnick.
A constitution was adopted soon after, and plans were made
for participation in the State inter-scholastic debate, "Resolved,
That the State of Washington should adopt the system of initiative and referendum as set forth in the Constitution of the State
of Oregon." The Lincoln team, represented by Leo Baisden,
leader; Warren Smith and Lical Park, was defeated by the
Mount Vernon team, at Mount Vernon, on November 22. Lincoln supported the affirmative side of the question.
The debate was held at 8:30 p. m. and about three hundred
people turned out to hear it. The judges were Mr. Gilstrop, of
Tacoma; Mr. Twitmier, of the Bellingham High School, and
Dr. Methes, of the Bellingham Normal School. Lincoln's argument was clean-cut and forcible, but the trio from Seattle lost
out on delivery. Prof. Saunderson and Miss Glass, of the faculty, accompanied the team to Mount Vernon.
The debaters were royally entertained while at Mount Vernon, and from the time they stepped from the train until their
departure they were the guests of honor.
Things were rather quiet from then on until the city debating
league was organized, with the Ballard, Washington and Lincoln High Schools as members. Lawrence Moore offered a cup
to the school winning the most debates, or in case of a tie the
one having the most judges voting in their favor, but the outlook as to the possible winner is still uncertain. Ballard challenged Lincoln to the first debate upon the question, "Resolved,
That Alaska should be given local self-government." Lincoln
chose the affirmative side of the question. At the try-out held
some time later Leo Baisden, Roy Casey and Miss Licol Park
won places on the team, but as Miss Park was later informed
that she was one of those selected for the oratorical contest
she resigned in favor of Leslie Palmer.
The debate was held at Junction Hall, Ballard, before a
large audience, the Lincoln High School team being victorious.
Lincoln based their argument on the fact that the population
and products of Alaska were such that Alaska needed home rule,
and Ballard held that Alaska was too large for the inhabitants
to manage their own government successfully, and that the population is transitory. Lincoln excelled in delivery. The Ballard
team was composed of Mary Comrada, Ed Cunningham and
Bertha Frederickson.
Lincoln challenged Washington to the next debate upon the
question of the United States adopting the. Canadian system of
banking. Washington has chosen the affirmative side of the subject. Those representing Lincoln were Warren Smith, leader;
Roy Stewart and Arthur Carr.
In concluding we can honestly say that the first year of debating in the Lincoln High School has been very successful, and
we wish to thank Mr. Saunderson of the faculty for his assistance in making it so.