ALTHOUGH Saratoga Springs has been the nursing mother of many men eminent in the legal profession, she seems to have been somewhat tardy in developing the forensic powers of her youth. It was not until 1836 that she awoke to her duty in this regard, in which year the first debating club was organized. The meetings of this society, which was called the "Slawkenbergian Dialectic Club," were held at the Columbian Hotel, and at the "Old Bell School-house," on Federal Street. It was composed of a number of rising men, among whom were O.L. Barbour, President; John H. Beach, Secretary; Wm. A. Beach, Sidney J. Cowen, Stephen P. Nash, Nicholas Hill, Thomas Rogers, Richard L. Allen, Clarence Walworth, John A. Corey, {The "Reminiscences of Saratoga" would not be complete without a tribute paid to Mr. John A. Corey. The manner of Mr. Corey – who disliked "shams" and was often too outspoken for his own good – did him great injustice. Yet I am free to say that Saratoga never had a more loyal son – one who was more devoted to her interests – and that Saratoga is more indebted to Mr. Corey than she is aware, for much of her present prosperity. Mr. Corey and Mr. G.M. Davison also gave the village two of the best early newspapers she ever had.} Charles A. Davison, Perry G. Ellsworth, and Patrick H. Cowen. "There were," writes Hon. O.L. Barbour to the author, "many fine debates in that old club. Some of Rogers’, Hill’s, and S.J. Cowen’s highest flights of eloquence were there attained. Rogers, I remember, with his strong voice, in a slender frame, used to wake the echoes and astound the ‘groundlings.’ He often reminded his hearers of their privileges in being residents of a county which contained the battle-field of Saratoga and the bones of the patriots there interred. He rattled those bones in the ears of his audience so often (but not by any means too often), that they finally took to joking him about them. One day, a wagon-load of bones from some slaughter-house was passing through the street. A member of the club called out to Rogers: ‘Here, Tom, come quick, here is some of your property.’ He afterwards emigrated to Dubuque, Iowa, and was elected to the State legislature, where he distinguished himself by many an able and eloquent speech. A person from the country, who had read his speeches as reported in the newspapers, had formed so high an opinion of Rogers’ oratorical powers, that on coming to Dubuque he sought and obtained an introduction. On learning his name, he said, ‘What! Are you the great Tom Rogers, who makes such splendid speeches in the House? I don’t believe a word of it! Why, I expected to see a man at least six feet high, with a voice like thunder!’ Rogers told me this himself. "Hill and S.J. Cowen were fine debaters, as were several others. Dr. Allen was a very fair speaker and a good logician. Nash was as clear as crystal. Alas! most of the members are gone." The departure of many of the members for wider fields of usefulness – Rogers going to the West, Hill settling in Albany, and Walworth called to the priesthood – broke up the club, which in its day had proved so useful, and several years passed before a similar one was inaugurated.

During this interregnum, however, efforts had not been wanting to draw out the literary talent of the place. A Histrionic Company was formed in 1842, composed of those youths of the village who were ambitious to wear the sock and buskin, among whom were A.A. Patterson (the life and soul of it), George W. Andrews, Henry Hay, Henry P. Andrews, James M. Andrews, Benjamin and Jesse Frazer, and J.R. Plunkett. During the existence of this association, which lasted two years, very creditable performances were given weekly in the Pavilion Hall {Situated in the Pavilion Spring grounds on Lake Avenue, opposite the "Flat Rock." The Flat Rock Spring still exists, covered by the tanneries.} Many of Shakspere’s plays, as well as those of others, such as "The Rivals," "The Mistletoe Bough," "The Irish Tutor," and "Bombastes Furioso," were performed both for the amusement of the village and for deserving objects. {As an illustration of this remark, we quote the following from the Saratoga Sentinel of 1843 – at that time ably edited by Mr. Charles F. Paul:

"HISTRIONIC ASSOCIATION – BENEFIT OF WILLIAM C. OWEN. – We understand that this association have, with commendable liberality, resolved to give the receipts of next Thursday evening’s performance to our unfortunate townsman, William C. Owen, who, it will be recollected, some two months since received an injury by a fall from a building, by which he was and still is incapable of pursuing his profession, upon the emoluments of which his family depend for support. We trust that this fact need only be made known to our citizens to ensure a crowded house. "Pizarro" and "The Day after the Wedding" are the plays to be brought out on the occasion."} To show that this Histrionic Association, also, was not mere child’s-play, but was really of great merit, it may be stated that Miss Cora Mowatt was glad to avail herself of the talent of Mr. A.A. Patterson and others belonging to the association to aid her in a dramatic performance given in the village.

On another occasion, the question up for discussion was, "Which exercises the most influence on mankind – moral or physical force?" Now, it so chanced that the night before the debate Mr. Paoli Durkee had captured in Washington Hall two burglars, and by the strength of his powerful arms had compelled them to cry for quarter. Mr. Durkee was the one on the moral side of the question, and had got on splendidly with his speech till Mr. Lester, who was opposed, when it came his turn to reply, quietly asked him how amenable to moral suasion those burglars would have been without his (Mr. Durkee’s) strong arms! It is, perhaps, needless to add that Mr. Lester won the debate. Sometimes the late Franklin Hoag, or, as he was familiarly called, "Squire" Hoag, would take part in the debates, and by his infinite fund of humor contribute not a little to the evening’s entertainment. {Franklin Hoag was born in the year 1800, near Dimmick’s Corners, in the town of Wilton. His father was a prominent Methodist clergyman. Early in life he turned his attention to the law, and his fame as a successful pleader in justices’ courts soon became so great that through the northern towns Frank Hoag was always upon one side or the other, and frequently the successful one. About 1835, he removed to Saratoga Springs, and pursued a regular course of studies in the office of William A. Beach, now of New York City, and was admitted to the bar. As an advocate his practice was mostly confined to the Common Pleas and Justices’ Courts, and, after the Constitution of 1846 was adopted, in the County court. He was peculiarly at home in cases arising from breach of warranty in horse trades, and he was acknowledged by his brethren of the bar to be the best read in that branch of the profession of any lawyer in the county. For many years he held the office of Justice of the Peace in Saratoga, and in 1855 he was elected Supervisor. In 1870, he removed to Oil City, Pa., where he died on the 3 ^d of May, 1875, leaving five children, viz., Mrs. George C. Alger, Samuel F. and Hiram W. Hoag, of Oil City, Franklin S. Hoag, of Meadville, Pa., and Mrs. George Weller, of Schenectady.}