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N assuming the management of The Hesperian (door sports should be engaged in by our students.
it is customary to give an outline of the"15 U1C purpose 01 mis aepanmeni 10 encourage
this work, and to keep up interest in it.
policy intended to be pursued. The Hesperian
is the exponent of the barbarian association,
and of the open literary society of the Uni
versity of Nebraska. This being the case, we shall
use all honorable means to build up the cause of bar
barianism, not only at home but in all other colleges
with which we come in contact. We shall not at
tempt to exalt our own cause by villifying and under
mining the college fraternity, but, so far as is within
our power by showing the influence of each upon
student life and upon college work.
We would recomend that barbarian associations be
formed in every college in the country where there
are a sufficient number of good students to take hold
of the matter; and shall give whatever imformation
they may require concerning the organization and
management of our own association. We are also of
the opinion thatai an early day steps should be taken
to perfect some sort of inter-collegiate association.
There is much to be gained by united effort in this
movement. Within the last two years several col
leges have formed local associations and are doing
good work. Not a few college papers have dared to
take a decided stand upon the question. Yet there
has been little united effort put forth. The inter
collegiate organization of the fraternities is the secret
of their power. So, too, we believe the future influence
of the barbarian association will depend largely upon
inter-collegiate organization. We should like to
hear from some of our brothers upon this question.
Again, a college paper should be as far as possible a
faithful reflector of college work as well as college life.
To this end two new departments have been added.
First the department of the faculty. This department
shall be devoted to the different lines of special work
in the University, and the work in progress in their
special lines. The matter for this department will be
furnished by the heads of departments in which op
portunity of special work is offered. This depart
ment will be opened in the next issue. A depart
ment in athletics has also been organized. The need
for such a department is imperative. This branch of
culture has been grossly neglected not only in our
own university, but in all the colleges of the state,
now that athletics has been recognized by the board
of regents as a distinct department of university
work, it behooves every student to take advantage
of the splendid opportunities now offered for phys
ical culture. Again out door sports have not been
carried on with the earnestness that one would like
to see. True some good work has been done by
our foot-ball and base ball teams; but not one half
the interest is manifested that shquld be. All out
SjT is a queer way the faculty of this University
y" have of showing their appreciation when the
University entered the state oratorical association it
was supposed that some provision for instruction in
oratory would be made, but this supposition has
never been realized. With the exception of proffer
ing their best wishes, the faculty, as a body, have
never aided the local association in any way. This
year they have even waived the formality of extend
ing their best wishes, while their encouragement has
been most conspicuous by its absence. With a de
partment ol oratory, and a man whose ability is un
questioned, it seems strange that this state of affairs
should exist. Why slight this department any
longer? Why can not the preparatory English classses
be given to some one else, and let Professor Hunt de
vote his time to collegiate work in rhetoric and ora
tory? At anj rate give us competent instruction in
oratory.
4c
'ORTUNATELY. the endowment of the Uni
versity is ample and secure, and the province of
the legislature is to expend money already secured to
it and for it alone, in such amount as may seem wi.se.
There is very little room for honest difference of opin
ions on this point, to those who investigate its needs.
This is a new and growing state, and every legislator
whether from farm or city has seen the necessity of
expenditure for improvements that are not made for
today alone, but for a better future. In University
matters the same necessity exists; growth has been
rapid, and its needs are imperative. To hold what
has already been worked out, and to advance toward
what older states have, is the object. None know so
well what is needed as those who are charged with its
keeping and who have made it a study. Hut are they
practical? The present success and reputation of the
University leaves no room for doubt.
UCH speculation as to the action of the present
legislature has been indulged in, and the wild
est of predictions have been uttered by the unthink
ing and by the unfair opponents of this new movement
in state politics. But the dominant party in the leg
islature has already given evidence of patience and
judgment. To friends of the State University, its
success depending largely upon the good judgment
of the entire legislature; there is much encouragement.
Let the schools remain as they arc. The child and
ward of no party but of the people and not subject to
attacks by friends who in party zeal know not what
they do.
M
m
