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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (April 15, 1891)
THE HESPERIAN one of their number introduced it. It is true the democrats and republicans made no opposition to il. Hut it must be remembered that two years ago the legislature, then having only republicans and democrats, failed to pass such a law though well knowingwhat a powerful efTect for good it would have in the then coming prohibition election. It is hardly too extravagant to say that if the independents had passed no other measures than this, it alone would have secured for them in the future history of the state an honorable name. Some people may imagine that to make eight hours a woiking day is too lidtculous to be consideied seriously. They may further imagine that agitation for an eight hour working day is not only foolish but of little consequence. Perhaps some may even think that the demands for eight hours have been so often reluscd and successfully that there is not the slightest likelihood in the world that such a work ing day will ever be granted. If there be people that have such vain thoughts and empty imaginings they arc likely to be rudely awakened. Strikes for eight hours occur yearly. Immense numbers oflaborcrs are involved in them. Some of the strikes are successful, some arc not. As yet the major ity have not been successful. In spite of that, in spite of almost everything, the demands are renewed and are backed up by strikes. It is surprising with what regularity these strikes come. One may well begin to believe that an eight hour working day is mt.ible. The present troubles in Pennsylvania are an instance of the tenacity and the firmness with which the workingmen cling to the hope of a shorter working day. That, perhaps, is not the whole cause of the strike. On May I, however, it is stated that 75,000 more men will join the prest.it strikers in a general demand for present pay for eight hours work. The men now on strike are firm, have, so it is said, plenty of financial backing, as well as promises, and are determined to hold out until Christmas if success can be obtained in no other way. And so it happens that he who runs may read the signs of the times and plainly perceive that laboiers will never be satisfied until eight hours become the length of a working day. But, asks some mortal, tired of these continual contentions, will the laborer be satisfied then? No, certainly not, not until all men are really equal. They cannot be. Discontent is divine. It must be salvation of the race. Australia has been having a constitutional convention. The Australian colonies have become convinced that it is necessary and will be as advantageous to them as to the United States to have a central federal government. As one thinks of this convention the thoughts naturally revert to the time our own colonies came to a like decision. But now how different the situation! What advantage the Australian con vention has over the one that framed our own constitution. It can profit by the experience of several republics. It has no war difficulties to settle with any nation. It can above all things start out on new lines and plans of government. It can take at the beginning an advanced stand on leading problems that so sorely vex older countries whose institutions aic so hardly changed. Success to the Australian federal government. - EXCHANGE. AVe wonder if the Iowa Wesleyan is now satisfied since it received its information in answer to its questions to the I. A. C. Student and The Hesperian? Both papers have been frank enough to answer. Do you belisve, Wesleyan, that there are two sides to the fraternity question? One of the best of our exchanges was The Heji-ekian, the great "anti-frat" college paper. Phi Deltian, The Massasoits (a barbarian association) have appointed Will Karris, Bcnj. Ilist, and C. B. Earnhcarst as a committee to correspond with other colleges in regard to forming a national non fraternity organization. NcrtlnvesJern World. We are heartily in favor of the scheme. Let other col leges enter into it, and let the barbarians advance to the dig nity of an organization. The advantages of organization are well known. Our exchange column has received a criticism from The Hesperian which ve suppose was justly bestowed, Accept ing it in the way it was intended we promise that this depart ment of the Pharos will de better in the future. Vitupera tion and abuse arc the weapons of fools. We have few of them (fools) on our exchange list but the Niagra Index is king o'er them all. Pacific Pharos. The Northwestern World prints several hundred college yells, yells from all the leading rollegcs of the country. Those from the university of Michigan attracted our atten tion. They would be very suitable for an aggregation of thugs and bums; but we cannot conceive of any association of college students so low, vile, and debased as to make use of such trash as is attributed to them. Either the person who sent in the yells to the World had little regard for the truth or else the standard of morals at the university of Michigan is at a stage of deplorable degredation. The several state oratorical contests recently held are now furnishing much material for discussion and controversy in the college world. Our exchanges are full of contest ora tions, contest notes, contest "scraps." The Coup d'Etat wages a war against several college papers in Illinois in regard to an alleged violation of the constitution of their association. In Iowa, the Vidette Reporter brings charges of plagiarism against the orator who won third place, and sub stantiates the charges by parallel paragraphs from different orations. In Kansas, the Washburn Reporter is evidently weeping over the result of their contest, as is evident from the following: J. I. Games is continually improving the winning ora tion. Baker Beacon. We hope so. There's plenty of room. The Doane Owl thinks that our orator was guilty of a lit tle sharp practice in not appearing upon the program at the late contest. He hints pretty strongly that Mr. Chappell's illness was very questionable, and was only brought on as a device to give him his choice of places on the program. It says that 'it was surprising to see how quickly Mr. Chappell recovered from his illness. He was just in time to take the best position on the program instead of first place, which place he should have taken or none at all. It does not seem fair that Mr. Chappell should have been allowed to enter the program other than where he vas put, or at the end." Now, Mr. Owl man, while we profess to have a great deal of lpve for you and the Gates Index says that it is so yet we Hunk that the above effusion is very unjust and entirely without foundation. That Mr. Chappell was sick at the time of the contest, no other proof is necessary than liis appearance on that evening. Because he was unable to appear on the pro gram in his place, is the Owl man so devoid of the iense of justice, of common courtesy, as to throw him out of the con test entirely? During the whole evening Mr. Chappell was in a very precarious condition, and he went upon the plat form when he felt strong enough te attempt to deliver his production. Even then, he was unable to finish without pausing from faintness, wliich paube, we have since learned from one of the judges, lost Mr. dispell first honors. Now , SI Hi. ,.' , JH igtaiiti$asg0Knfii9fl9M