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IN ACCORDANCE with the new system of organizing clubs in the different departments of the High School at the beginning of the year, this organization, called "The Debating Club of the West Des Moines High School," was formed for the purposes of practice in debate and parliamentary usage, and to stimulate the study of important questions.
The members of teams representing West Des Moines High School in interscholastic debates are eligible to membership without election. Members of class teams may be elected to membership by a three-fourths vote of all the members of the club, and any other student of the HIgh school who shall have shown exceptional ability in debate. Every alumnus of West High School who, at his graduation, shall have been a member of this club, can become an honorary member; and any other person not an undergraduate student may be elected an honorary member.
The officers of the club are a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and an executive committee consisting of an instructor in the high school, the president, and one other member elected by the club, elected each semester.
The executive committee arranges programs for all meetings, and debates with other clubs when they think it wise to do so.
The club held regular meetings every week during the school year until preparations for the debate with Omaha made it impossible. Socialism, government ownership, and similar questions were discussed.
The officers the first semester were Ralph Finnicum, president; Walter Stewart, vice-president; Carl Byoir, Secretary; Almer Sanborn, treasurer; and Mr. Merril, Bura Guinand and the president, the executive committee. For the second semester, Carl Byoir, president; Earl Phillips, vice-president; Clarke Tinsley, secretary; Willard Halverson, Treasurer; and Mr. Merrill, Almar Sanborn and the president, the executive committee.
Great benefit was derived by the members in practice in debate and parliamentary usage and the study of important questions, and still greater benefit will be derived in the future, when the club has grown in membership and years of experience.
WEST HIGH WINS FROM OMAHA HIGH
WEST DES MOINES HIGH SCHOOL debaters won over the Omaha team in a contest in which honors were almost evenly divided.
Professor Ed Sanford, one of the judges of the contest, in announcing the result, gave it as the opinion of the board of which he was a member, that the treatment of the subject by all of the young men was extremely good and the grounds of argument well chosen.
The question in debate was, "Resolved, that, for the present, labor unions in America are justified in opposingthe movement of the employers for an open shop."
Carl Byoir, who presented the opening as well as the closing arguments for the Des Moines team, received an ovation on his appearance and as he closed. HIs manner was free and his style of handling his topic forceful and convincing. He was well seconded by Almer Sanborn and Ralph Finnicum, both of whom were well up in the logic of the labor organization,its uses and abuses, as well as the absolute rights of the employer.
The Omaha debaters, Charles Brome, Carl Van Sant and Ware Hall, were all capable, and centers of extreme interest while they occupied the rostrum. Their definitions of the union shop, closed and open shop, were such as to excite the admiration of more learned persons in the study of sociological problems.
The West Des Moines debaters held for the rights of the employers, believing in the established principle of liberty of action. In support of their contention they cited from the speeches and writings of the foremost of labor leaders, among them John Mitchell.
On the other hand, the Omaha speakers declared that the organization, being a mutual affair, exists for the uplifting of a condition,a nd, while operating as a body, does not act against the non-union man as a tryant against a martyr, but as a righteous movement against a selfish person, who withstands the appeal of the majority because of a principle which gains him nothing,yet loses him the very thing for which he strives, and can only hope to strive—his daily bread.
Notwithstanding the wide chasm between the teams in point of argument, they came dangerously near to each other at times, but cautiously withdrew from a technical agreement.
The program was commenced with extremely pleasing musical selections by West High organizations. A quartette composed of young high school ladies was especially worthy of mention. President Hill M. Bell, of Drake University, presided.
—Register and Leader
GIRLS' LITERARY SOCIETY
A MEETING of the Girls' LIterary Society was held May 22, 1905. A constitution was adopted and the following officers elected:
| President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Sergeant-at-Arms Member of Executive Committee |
EIDITH USRY IVA WARD ELIZABETH MAGEE MILDRED CRAIG LILLIE PHILLIPPS ZENETTA HARRISON |
There are now about fifty enthusiastic members of the society. Its purpose is to promote a knowledge of current and public events, and give the members a training in public speaking and parliamentary drill. The society has a bright outlook and expects to accomplish a great deal in the future.
COMMERCIAL CLUB
Organized in 1905 by the members of the commercial department of West High, for the scientific advancement of higher and more accurate commercial methods. The meetings have been numerous and full of instruction. The members wear Commercial Club pins, wrought in gold, which are very artistic.
| OFFICERS | President Vice-President Secretary |
LUDWIG W. SAMSHI JOHN SAUNDERS GENEVIEVE ZIMMERMAN |
LATIN CLUB
THE LATIN CLUB was organized on the afternoon of December 4th, in Miss Williams' "sactum sactorum." The officers are Emma Spencer, president; Almer Sanborn, vice-president; Vesta Peak, secretary; and Given Chase, treasurer. Their term of office is to last "during good behavior" or until the end of this school year. The number of members is limited to thirty and the degree of scholarship necessary is decided according to the number of "wise" pupils. The club meets every two weeks, alternately at the school and at the home of one of the members. At the school meeting a program is provided in which several give talks or read papers and then the others join in an impromptu discussion of the subject. They have talked of the value of the study of Latin, Roman names, and subjects pertaining to the manners, customs, and amusements of the Latins. When they meet at some residence the hostess provides the entertainment for the afternoon. It varies from Latin spell-downs to writing valentine verses in that dead language and is both interesting and instructive.
The pin of the club, not only for this year but for coming years, is a disk with the head of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, on the face and on the back the motto of club and the date of the pupil's graduation.
It is to be the custom for the club to have a public debate with one of the other clubs and to give a classic play. But because of the lateness of organizaiton and other difficulties neither was done this year.
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