THB NBBRASKAN
was well and profitably spent. They will probably
have another chance to win laurels next year anil they
will be better equipped to enter the contest.
Judging from the enthusiasm that was displayed
towards the close of the debate, the contest next year
will be looked forward to with much more interest.
Unless some unforeseen hitch occurs on the part of the
Kansans, the debate will have been a success and its
continuance next year certain. It is probable that by
that time our sister states, Iowa and Missouri, will re
cognize the importance of these contests and apply for
admission. Certainly such an event would be wel
comed and more honor and glory would acme to the
winner. Hut the battle would be more keenly fought
and the good affects more reaching in their scope.
Let these debates be an established thing and the aim
of the universities in giving all the requirements of a
solid education will be fulfilled to a greater extent.
Let us show to what little world there is out side of
the college, that our education does not all run to foot
ball.
The action of the faculty of Cornell college, in turn
ing the government of the student body into the hands
of the students themselves, has attracted universal at
tention. Under the system now in vogue at that insti
tution, no student can be expelled or in any way dis
ciplined by a member of the faculty. While this body
still has a hand in the government, yet it has only the
power to say " yes " or " no " to such measures and
laws as may be proposed by the student council.
This student council, selected by the students them
selves has the direct power. Its chief function is to
maintain order and discipline in the college. It is
composed of representatives from each of the four
classes who arc supposed to be aware of any move
ment for mischief that is on foot, and to check it if pos
sible. The system was called into existence by the
prevalence of " cribbing " at examinations. The in
structors decided to place the students wholly upon
their honor, and withdrew the monitors from the room
during the time of holding examinations. A student
committee was appointed, and from this grew the
present arrangement.
Whether this experiment will be successful is as yet
a matter of doubt, but on the face of it, the appearances
would indicate a failure. The president of that col
lege ascribes the adoption of the new system to " Cor
nell spirit. Cornell spirit, is certainly nothing to boast
of, if it give rise to an evil which the faculty is unable
to put down. If cheating is so customary at examin
ations, that severe measures must be adopted to stamp
it out, it is not reasonable to suppose that it can be
done with justice to all, by leaving it to these students
themselves.
Theoretically the scheme of placing the power in the
hands of the students themselves, and teaching them
the art of self-government seems very sensible. But
loan outsider it looks as though the faculty had merely
established a houy 01 suuicms 10 aei u sjn.
to
aspect to the affairs of the eastern college.
At any rate, the fact that it has been found necessary
devise a scheme to put down " cribbing " lends a bad
iiucL to the affairs of the eastern college. The true
difference between the eastern and western college
student is seen here. As a rule, the western student
attends his own state university, because his parents
have not the money to send him " east.,' lie is de
sirous and anxious to obtain a high education, Me
places all his energy in his work. When examinations
approach he does not find it necessary to resort to any
dishonorable means to pass satisfactorily. Me knows
why he is in college and works accordingly,
The great eastern colleges are already noticing a
falling off in the attendance from the western districts.
We are rapidly outstripping our effete competitors.
Let them keep the rich man's son, who "cribs" his
way through a college course, because he has not
brains enough to obtain his diploma honorably. We
know what education is out here, and another decade
will show our standard as high as anything the east
has ever produced.
Thk KXCKM.KNT record attained by the foot ball team
this year is one to be proud of. Not so much because
they won the pennant, but because they conducted
themselves as gentlemen should when away from home,
and the reports that have reached us bear witness to
this fact. Neither pugilism, nor any of the bad feat
ures of foot ball have been a factor in our playing, and
the clean and manly game our boys put up, may well
serve as a criterion for some of the boastful eastern
teams. There has not been an instance of a man being
ruled off the field for slugging or misbehavior. Kan
sas college papers, though our rivals, speak of the
gentlemanly conduct of our players, and admit that
they won the game there, honestly, and fairly because
we outplayed them.
This clean record will go far toward strengthening
the team next year, as the objection many parents have
against the game will be removed when they see that
the moral character of their sons is not the least in
danger, but in reality is strengthened.
The impression it will give the outside world will be
a good one. The alleged funny papers are always
ready to magnify the least of things to astonishing
dimensions. The conduct of our team will go far to
lessen any bad effect that has arisen from these and
other causes. The populace at Omaha were treated to
an example of what our team is. Toot ball has many
enemies there and elsewhere, but these have become
fewer in number when they witnessed what a manly
game could be made of such a rough sport.
We earnestly hope that our team will do as well next
year, but we know they will in this respect. But we
are proud of what they have done. We can point with
pride to the results of this season's work, and answer
many of the strong objections that exist.