In 1908 the custom started in the Bowling Green Business University
of having an annual debate between the Big Four and Coreco Debating Societies.
In 1909 there were two debates. Except for the year 1918, the school has
witnessed this event annually as, perhaps, the biggest single event of
the school year in the Business University. It is the biggest event because
the school as a whole participates in it most completely. Both teachers
and students lose themselves in it, trying to make the debate contribute
to the information of the students, to create community interest and to
build up school spirit and enthusiasm.
This event has always been characterized by the good sportsmanship of
each society, by the splendid live subjects chosen for discussion, by
the window displays and the parades, and by the interest which it has
created in Bowling Green. The enthusiasm each year has been so great that
the citizens of the city and the students of the other schools have taken
sides either for Coreco or Big Four. It has each year been a real battle,
a real victory for the winner, and a terrible defeat for the loser. But
a very fine feature of this event has been that all rivalry ceases as
soon as the debate is over.
|
|
The Coreco-Big Four parade, an extravaganza of gorgeous floats, beautiful
girls and charming ensembles, will be watched by thousands of persons
who will line the pavements along the line of march tomorrow afternoon,
at 3 o'clock.
According to the custom of former years, the Big Four will lead the parade
this year, as the Corecos had that honor last year. The parade will be
headed by the 149th Infantry Band, followed by Mayor A. S. Hines and the
Board of Public Works, and then the ornately decorated cars and floats--first
the green and white of the Big Fours and then the orange and black of
the Corecos.
Beautifully decorated cars, floats, clowns, clever take-offs on the rival
societies in pantomime, and other representative features too numerous
to mention, will add to the attraction of the parade. The Big Fours will
form on Center street with the head of the line at Tenth street. The Coreco's
line will form on Kentucky street with the head of the line toward Twelfth
street.
The line of march will be up Main to College, up College to Thirteenth,
across Thirteenth to State, down State to Square, around Square and back
up College to Thirteenth where the Big Fours will stop against the right
side of the street, holding their line intact while the Corecos pass by.
The Corecos will disband on Center street and the Big Fours will disband
on College Street.
|
|
Monday evening at 8 o'clock the annual Big Four-Coreco debate will be
held in Denhardt Hall of this city before what promises to be one of the
largest audiences ever to attend a forensic contest here.
"Resolved: That the United States Should Refuse to Give Military
Protection to Property Located in Foreign Countries" has been
selected as the subject for discussion. Our unprecedented commercial expansion
together with the present interest in this question brought about by recent
acute situations in foreign countries and the problems created thereby
add force and enthusiasm to the discussion. The Coreco team will defend
the affirmative side of the question.
Mr. Chas. S. Nahm will have the arduous task of keeping "peace in
the family" as presiding officer at the Debate Monday night at Denhardt
Hall. The gavel falls promptly at 8 o'clock.
The judges of the Annual Debate are not known to students, speakers or
faculty of the school until the gavel falls on the evening of the annual
battle. Fifteen or twenty men, from without Bowling Green, are agreed
upon by both sides to the contest. This list is placed in the hands of
local citizens who select the three judges and make known their identity
when called for by the chairman on Monday night.
|
