It was not until the spring of 19O1 that debating at Tufts was put on a firm basis. Previous to this date it had been rather spasmodic and no organizations existed for the fostering of this activity. In that year a temporary club was formed of all those interested in debating, and before the end of the season, this divided into two rival societies, the Capen Club, named for Elmer Hewitt Capen, '60, and the Knowlton Club, named for Hosea Morrill Knowlton, '67. Thus a healthy spirit of rivalry was fostered which has continued to the present. Inter-club debates have been held regularly every winter.

In 1903 a debating union was entered into with New York University, and in 1905 a similar agreement was made with Clark College. The Intercollegiate teams last year were:

For the New York University debate: A. W. Benoit, '07; H. C. Mason, '08; S. E. Darling, '09; alternate, V. E. Blagbrough, '10.

For the Clark debate: W. E. Blake, '07; P. R. Moore, '07; C. J. Masseck, '08; alternate, P. W. Towsley, '10.