The Cheyenne Daily Leader

THE PRIZE CONTEST.

There were some features of the recent high school oratorical contest which came dangerously near making it what might be called a fake. The winner of the prize was to be awarded free transportation to the world's fair and return. Doubt existed as to whether this was to be paid for by the school board, through contributions of the high school teachers themselves or mainly by the city superintendent. As we understand it the latter assumed the duty of selecting the judges without the knowledge of the contestants for declamatory honors. In addition to this a price of admission, 15 cents a head, was charged to the general public, who while they had the privilege of paying to hear the contest were not permitted to offer a suggestion or even say a word as to who the judges to decide the contest were to be. But the contest took place. The boy declared the winner did admirably well but whether as well as one of the other contestants seems to be a matter of some doubt. But after the decision was reached it was decided to offer a second prize. The assistant superintendent of the Union Pacific offered transportation to Council Bluffs and return and the audience was again called on for contributions and the necessary amount raised by public subscription.

The affair was not managed with the best of good taste or judgment. The prize to be offered should have been secured in advance. As it was a public school affair no cheap John method of raising the wind through charges for admission should have been resorted to, but if anything was charged those who thus contributed to paying for the prize should have had a voice in the selection of the judges. These matters are delicate enough to manage under the best of circumstances—therefore they should always be conducted with that degree of candor and openness which would disarm criticism.