University of Virginia Library

History and Introduction

The Virginia High School Literary League was organized by the
Washington and Jefferson Literary Societies of the University of
Virginia, in 1913. A bulletin was published which contained a question
of current importance for debate and sufficient material so arranged
as to enable a high school pupil to write an intelligent argument
on both sides of the question. Each year a similar bulletin
is published with the same purpose in view.

The interest taken in the League has been remarkable. At the end
of the first year forty schools were enrolled. This number jumped
to eighty in 1914, to two hundred and fifty in 1915, and there is great
promise of doubling the last number before 1916 has passed.

During the first two years of its existence the League conducted
contests in reading and debating only. In 1915 the scope of work
was broadened and the spring of 1916 saw State contests in reading
and debating, basketball and track, and a district baseball contest.
For the coming year a local prize contest, in general literary and
athletic work, will be added and the prizes will be given by the
Richmond Times-Dispatch.

All athletic contests will be under the supervision of the General
Athletic Association of the University. All literary contests will be
under the supervision of the Virginia Union of the University.

In the debating and reading contests the teams in each locality are
pitted against each other in preliminary debate. When all but about
forty teams have been eliminated by this process the victorious survivors
come to the University of Virginia for the final debates. By
a continuous process of pairing off by lot and surviving by merit the
winners are finally determined.

The last three debates of the past May were decided only after
a secondary debate by the judges in conference, and then by a two-to-one
vote. In those close contests, John Marshall High School
won over the Pulaski High; Houston High won over Roanoke High,
and then in the final trial was barely defeated by John Marshall. The
readings were equally interesting. The winners were Miss Esidora
Henry and Mr. J. C. McManaway, both of the Charlottesville High
School.

Just previous to the debates, the Jefferson School of Charlottesville
and the Salem High School fought their way through a long
line of victories to the final game in the basketball contest. This
was played in the Fayerweather Gymnasium at the University, and
Salem emerged the winner. Last year Woodberry Forest School
won the track meet held on Lambeth Field at the University.

The faculty and students of the University of Virginia put forth
every effort to entertain the visitors while here. The visiting teachers
were the guests of the Colonnade Club and Gleason Hotel, while
the visiting teams were entertained by the girls and boys of Charlottesville
and the students of the University of Virginia. Meals were
served both at the Commons and at the Tea Room to visitors without
cost. Free tickets were given the visitors to the moving picture

theatres and there was no charge for street car service. The
Chamber of Commerce arranged an excursion to Monticello, but,
to the regret of all, it had to be abandoned on account of rain.
After the final contest in the debates a reception was given to the
visitors in the Tea Room, which was beautifully decorated for the
occasion. During the course of the banquet members of the University
faculty, representatives of the Washington and Jefferson Literary
Societies, and visitors from the various schools were called
upon to speak. And thus the evening passed away most pleasantly.

"By their fruits ye shall know them" bears quite a significant interpretation
to The Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League.
The League's progress has been unrivalled. The membership has
increased phenomenonally, which bears witness to the direct accomplishments.
There has been a salutary spirit of encouragement of
society work. And in the rounding out of the League to include
athletic endeavors a great step has been made in the encouragement
of training in athletics and the standardization of athletic requirements
in all the secondary schools of Virginia.

The good work has only started. It is earnestly hoped that every
secondary school in the State, whether public or private, will affiliate
with the League and extend hearty support to its already successful
endeavors. We require no dues. We simply ask your undivided
coöperation. If you wish material on the debate we will furnish it
to you in pamphlet form. If you desire to go further, the University
library has kindly provided package libraries on the question,
which will be sent to any principal of a high school for two weeks
without cost, save postage, upon application to Mr. John S. Patton,
Librarian, at the University of Virginia.

Address all inquiries to A. R. Boyd, Secretary of the Virginia High
School Literary and Athletic League.