THE HESPERIAN.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.
-
Vol. XX.
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, FEBRUARY 15. 189I.
No. IX.
THE HESPERIAN.
Issued semi-monthly by the IIkspf.kian Publishing Associ
ation, of the University of Nebraska.
T. E. CIIAPPELL, '91, Managing Editor.
ASSOCIATES:
JAMES A. BARKLEY, '92, - -
RANDOLPH McNITT, '93, -
F. D. HYDE, '92, -
C. M. SK1LES, '92, -
N. B. BARR, '93. I
W. M. JOHNSON, '94 j "
PAUL PICEY, '93, - -
J. L. MARSHALL, Jr., '93, Ai.UMNi, Former Students
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SOCIETY DIRECTORY.
PALLADIAN LITERARY SOCIETY.
J. V,'. McCroskv, Pies., Miss Minnie DkPue, Scc'y.
UNIVERSITY UNION LITERARY SOCIETY.
Miss Fannie Maker, Pies. C. A. IIelvie,' Scc'y.
DELIAN LITERARY SOCIETY.
C. D. Schell, Prcs. Paul Pizey, Scc'y.
A. M. Trover, ?rcs.
UNIVERSITY Y. M. C. A.
N. B. UARR, Sec'y.
UNIVERSITY Y. W. C. A.
Miss Fannie Baker, Prcs, Miss E. Merrill, Sec'y.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
C. M. Skiles, Prcs; J. A. Bakkley, Sec'y.
ORATORICAL ASSOCIATION.
J. W. McCroskv, Pres, G. L. Sheldon, Sec'y.
The following, written by Albert Watkins, is cop
ied from the State Journal. Ex-Postmaster Watkins
is a man of wide and accurate observation, and what
ever he says upon tl is question is worthy of respect
ful attention:
A noteworthy incident connected with the succession
of Mr. Vilns to the senatorial chair occupied by Mr. Spooncr
recalls the fact that both of these gentlemen were in attend
ance upon the Univeisity of Wisconsin at the same time. I
fail to remember the exact date but it occurs to me that they
were classmates. If not, they went lluough college ul about
the same time, and not more than a year or two could have
elapsed between their days of graduation. It is a little sin
gular that the men who went through college together should
sustain such political relations in later life; but to me it is not
surprising that the retiring and the incoming senators from
Wisconsin should be graduates of the university maintained
by that state. Along with Vilas and Spooncr a large number
of able men went out from this univeisity about a quarter of
a century ago, and many of them have left their impress
upon the political and educational history of Wisconsin as
well as upon other states. T have thought over this question
long and carefully and have arrived at the conclusion that
the college debating clubs of the old times had much to do
with the vigor and consequent success of the men who were
graduated in the early days of the university. At that time
the students took more interest in the college debating clubs
than any outside or purely social affairs. They received
splendid discipline in the art of oratory and equipped them
selves for the forensic battles in which they have since
engaged with such success.
I am sorry to say that the literary societies that gave such
invaluable training in oratory, extemporaneous speaking and
debate to the young men attending the University of Wiscon
sin twenty-five years ago arc no longer a power in that insti
tution. They have been crippled by the increasing pop
ularity of the social and fraternal clubs, known as the Greek
letter societies. Madison is dotted with the club houses of
these organizations. I have inquired into their effect upon
the student?, and cannot escape the conviction that they
have emasculated ie old debating clubs, and taken away
the most valuable part of the education of the young men,
giving in return only pleasure to the members and added
social polish. The new system is not turning out the strong,
eloquent, well equipped men that marked the era in which
Vilas and Spooncr puisucd their studies. The list of the distin
guished graduates of the university will show dozens of
names of men who owe their success and prominence to the
training in public speaking gained in the debating clubs of
the old days. If the new system is doing anything in the
same line- for the students the effects are not apparent. I
can sec nothing in the fraternity idea that will return to the
colleges of the country one-half of the benefits that they take
away. Certainly theic arc no influences at Madison at prqs- .
ent that will build up men like those graduated in the years
of the ascendency of the debating clubs, aim fui that ica&gii
I look upon the growth of the Greek letter organizations with
sincere regret.
