THE HESPERIAN.
I i
students may at any moment derive full information
regarding society programs by simply consulting the
bulletin boards. We feel that The Hesperian does
represent the great majority of the students and that
it voices the sentiments of that body when it refuses
to devote a large amount of space to society programs.
The criticism ends by asking: "If we are to have a
paper why not have one that tells what we arc doing?
Simply, dear friend, because we sometimes do things
that are very foolish and had better be left untold.
The criticism affords some pleasure to us, however, be
cause it shows that new students are taking an active
interest in literary societies and are doing all they
.can to make them prosperous. The Hesperian is
rrady at all times to publish such contributions.
SrHE foot-ball team covered itself with glory in
'Vp the game at Omaha, Thanksgiving day. We
have maintained for some time that our boys could
be successful as athletes if they would only try and
now we are pleased to see that they have put forth
an effort and won. But meanwhilejthe other athletic
departments must not be neglected. In base-ball we
have a record to sustain and it might be well to be
gin preparations for the better organizations of the
team. Hard work is what is successful in the end
and unless our base-ball players show a disposition to
practice a little more than they have been doing of
late they must not expect to maintain the record of
last year. We believe that the game of foot-ball at
Omaha did more to advertise the the University there
than could be accomplished in that line by several
hundred dollars expended in any other manner, 'i his
is an additional reason why we should not neglect
athletics at the U. of N.
PHE growth of the University for the past year
vlb has been much greater than was expected by
the most sangfiine. There are now more than five
hundred students in attendence here. This is a
good showing considering that there are but two of
the five authorized colleges as yet regularly organized.
It seems to us that the growth of the state demands
that the law and medical colleges should be estab
lished in the near future. This state is certainly able
to maintain such colleges at the University. It is to
be hoped that som,e time before long our state will
be able to offer to all ample facilities for preparing for
professional life. It is somewhat expensive and in
convenient for Ncbraskans to be compelled to go to
other states in order to secure benefits that might just
as well be enjoyed at home. But while we desire a
law, and medical college, it is better not to establised
thcjm.unlesss' they are properly supported. Nor is it
desirable to establish any more colleges if those that
arc already established would su(fer any by the change.
The last session of the legislature was inclined to be
too parsimonious towards the University. It is ex
pected that the farmers will deal liberaly with us this
winter. .There is an excellent opportunity for them
to show their good judgement by providing liberally
for the next two years.
INCE we are now approaching the end of the
term it is presumed that according to the time
honored custom several of the students will remove
their attention from state politics and begin to lay
wires with .a view to securing certain honors in the
societies. The Hesperian election is also drawing
near so that on the whole there is plenty to engage
the attention of our college politicians. It is to be
regretted that college politics are so intense, but
since this is the case, those who enter into the race
for political lienors should not complain if they are
sometimes disappointed. College politics afford an
excellent preparation for one who expects to take an
interest in politics after school life is over, but this is
no reason why any college man should descend to the
level of the average ward politician. In these college
contests only merit and ability should be recognized.
Let the students keep this in mind when they are
called upon to elect a new board of editors. Leave
aside old prejudices and elect only those who will
faithfully perform their duties. We hope to see all
differences between literary societies disappear before
the next election. If there are differences they are
more imaginary than real. The societies have a com
mon cause and upon it at least they should unite. In
the next election we hope to see the different societies
pursue such a policy as will at once produce the ut
most good will and union in the barbarian ranks.
GjrHE college press all over the country seems to be
'xip considetably agitated about college fraternities.
This is gratifying. However one may regard college
fraternities it must be evident to all fairminded men
that honest discussion of the principles involved and
of the advantages or disadvantages to be .derived from
such organization must result in good. As an oppo
ent of the fraternity system we have much respect for
a fraternity man who is such from principle and who is
able to defend his position by sound and logic argu
ments. But unfortunately for the fraternities' about
the only reply they make to arguments that strike
rather close is to intimate that all opponents of the
fraternities arc "soreheads." It is evident that this
one cry must be convincing to some but since the
fraternity system is not able to find some argument
more reasonable and plausible " we' are inclined to
think that there is not much to be said in support of
