An Orator
WILLIAM HARRISON HAYNES
Among the four contestants for a prize in oratory at the University of Chicago was William Harrison Haynes of Nashville, Tenn. The first prize of $100, which is awarded annually to a student of this university for excellence in oratory, is given by Mr. Julius Rosenwald of Chicago.
The contest was held on the evening of June 1st, in Leon Mandel Assembly Hall. A brown face and such a title—“A Plea for Justice”—without difficulty attracted for the speaker the keenest attention of an audience almost entirely white. Confident in his skill and ability and rejoicing in this marvelous opportunity to speak before such an audience in behalf of his people, Mr. Haynes delivered his oration in a style and manner that has never been equaled in previous contests. It was evident by the heavy waves of applause, that to him belonged the victory, and when the announcement of the first prize was made, the colored speaker was hardly able to hold his position because of the crowd that thronged about him to extend congratulations and to express lofty words of praise.
Mr. Haynes, an A. B. from Morehouse College of the class of 1915, came to the University of Chicago last fall and shortly after was made a member of the Varsity Debating team. He debated for Chicago twice, winning both times, and on the day of his graduation he was given an elegant gold watch fob by the Delta Sigma Rho debating fraternity as a token of appreciation of his good fellowship and excellent scholarship displayed during his short stay at the university.