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1923-03-02
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vassar:44630,vcl_Letters_Aaron_Fannie_1923-03_04_001
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: Page 1, vcl_Letters_Aaron_Fannie_1923-03_04_001
March 2, 1923
Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:
The Freshman debate last night was exceedingly interesting. It did not start till a quarter to nine, as their debaters couldn't cut their Saturday classes and therefore couldn't get here till eight-fifteen. I was dead when I went, and had no intention of staying for the rebuttals, but I ended up by staying not only for that, but also for the counting of the votes. Vassar was much better in every way. We won by a vote of 281--132. Assembly Hall was packed, and people were standing. Our freshmen were splendid. I think they are without doubt better than our present or last year's varsity team. It is most humiliating! Miss Ellery was sitting right behind us, and she said "I have heard many a regular intercollegiate debate that wasn't as good as this"! Prexie presided.
I thought the enclosed clipping would interest you, Father.
The "Equal Rights Bill" debate at the luncheon yesterday was very interesting. I was seated next to Miss Palmer. She told me among other things that she thought debate was one of the finest things that we have in college, and believes in doing everything she can to discourage it. She says she thinks it is fine to have freshmen do it provided that they can manage it and their work, too, and the only way to tell is to try it once. We also discussed the lecture on Russia, and she said that without any qualification she had never heard a lecture that held her as that did. So I wasn't the only one.
The students at the table were the president and vice-president of the Political Association, Khaki Dodge, and I. The rest were faculty, I don't quite know just on what basis I was put there, but I enjoyed.
Miss Elsie Hill, who upheld the Equal Rights Bill, was a V. C., 1906. She has just finished studying law, I believe. She is a feminist to the extent of having bobbed hair at '39 and of calling herself "Miss Elsie Hill" despite the fact that she is married! The woman who opposed the bill was Miss Rose Schneiderman, president of the Womean's[sic] Trade Union League. She said the last time she spoke at Vassar was many years ago, when it was not considered proper to have a suffrage meeting on campus, so she and the other speakers addressed the gathering in the cemetery on the other side of the fence! Neither spoke convincelingly. I don't know which side has the better case.
I forgot to tell you that I will no longer be ashamed of having you trail me about the country, Father, to hear me debate. All six parents of the three debaters were there. I guess you can come whenever you want!
This letter has just been interrupted--I'll finish again Elizabeth just this second got a wire from her mother that her aunt whom she is very fond of is dying of pneumonia. She's an a fine stew.
Love,
Fannie
Dear Mother, Father, and Pete:
The Freshman debate last night was exceedingly interesting. It did not start till a quarter to nine, as their debaters couldn't cut their Saturday classes and therefore couldn't get here till eight-fifteen. I was dead when I went, and had no intention of staying for the rebuttals, but I ended up by staying not only for that, but also for the counting of the votes. Vassar was much better in every way. We won by a vote of 281--132. Assembly Hall was packed, and people were standing. Our freshmen were splendid. I think they are without doubt better than our present or last year's varsity team. It is most humiliating! Miss Ellery was sitting right behind us, and she said "I have heard many a regular intercollegiate debate that wasn't as good as this"! Prexie presided.
I thought the enclosed clipping would interest you, Father.
The "Equal Rights Bill" debate at the luncheon yesterday was very interesting. I was seated next to Miss Palmer. She told me among other things that she thought debate was one of the finest things that we have in college, and believes in doing everything she can to discourage it. She says she thinks it is fine to have freshmen do it provided that they can manage it and their work, too, and the only way to tell is to try it once. We also discussed the lecture on Russia, and she said that without any qualification she had never heard a lecture that held her as that did. So I wasn't the only one.
The students at the table were the president and vice-president of the Political Association, Khaki Dodge, and I. The rest were faculty, I don't quite know just on what basis I was put there, but I enjoyed.
Miss Elsie Hill, who upheld the Equal Rights Bill, was a V. C., 1906. She has just finished studying law, I believe. She is a feminist to the extent of having bobbed hair at '39 and of calling herself "Miss Elsie Hill" despite the fact that she is married! The woman who opposed the bill was Miss Rose Schneiderman, president of the Womean's[sic] Trade Union League. She said the last time she spoke at Vassar was many years ago, when it was not considered proper to have a suffrage meeting on campus, so she and the other speakers addressed the gathering in the cemetery on the other side of the fence! Neither spoke convincelingly. I don't know which side has the better case.
I forgot to tell you that I will no longer be ashamed of having you trail me about the country, Father, to hear me debate. All six parents of the three debaters were there. I guess you can come whenever you want!
This letter has just been interrupted--I'll finish again Elizabeth just this second got a wire from her mother that her aunt whom she is very fond of is dying of pneumonia. She's an a fine stew.
Love,
Fannie
