w
THE HESPERIAN.
ing the contests have not had the needed preparation.
There is at present, ample instruction in oratory in
the English department. Let advantage be taken of
both time and opportunity, and the" result need not
be feared.
The students seem to be taking little interest in
the outcome of the state election this year. Why is
it tl at they are not showing as much iwtriotic spirit
as they did last year when the gubernatorial contest
raged? The students should remember that two
regents are to be elected Tuesday, November 3. It
is for the best interests of the university that the best
men be elected. Those candidates, whoever they
may be, that liave the welfare of the University of
xcurubKa at nean snouid receive the earnest support
of the students. Vote if you can. If you cannot vote,
you may talk. Party politics should not be taken
into consideration. It is the men the university
wants, and not their politics.
Quite a commotion was caused in the battalion
when orders revoking the previous promotions were
published. The meaning of this.is that the basis upon
which promotions are made is changed, and that
hereafter, class and military ability will be recognized
as well as ths number of terms of drill. The new
promotions that immediately followed were made
upon this basis, and while the changes caused dissa
pointment to some, they were invariably of benefit to
the battalion. Previous attempts have been made to
establish some such basis for promotions, but they
have only been partially carried out, and the quiet
but determined manner with which Lieutenant Persh
ing inaugurated this reform is a sufficient guarantee
that it will be a lasting one, and one that will reduce
10 a minimum the grumbling over future promotions.
When the law school opened, there was consid
erable talk among members of the literary societies
whether the law students should be admitted into the
literary societies. It was argued that it would be
better for the societies and for the law students if
they should form a society themselves. It was claimed
that law students would wish to discuss law sub
ject cineliy and that such discussions would be unin
teresting to other members who were pursuing studies
in the academic and industrial colleges.
The societies have been formed to promote liter
ary refinement, and social culture among the univer
sity students. Then, give all students the opportu
nity of obtaining equal privileges. If law is dry and
uninteresting, it is, nevertheless, essential to a good
education. The persons who do not wish, or have
not time to study the principles of such an important
study would receive much benefit from hearing tlieir
fellow members discuss some law topic. They could,
in fact, have no belter opportunity.
Although, the law students might have a tenden
cy to discuss law topics, yet they would discuss other
questions with equal intelligence. Students of law
must of necessity be well read in all branches of liter
ature. As a rule they are better versed in literature
than students taking other courses, especially scien
tific courses. A study of literature is essential to the
study of law. It will be safe to say that they will treat
subjects as varied as the members of any other col
lege of the university. It might be said with equal
force that the productions of the literary student will
be uninteresting to the scientific student and vice
versa. By actual exnerience this has bppn nrown tn
be untrue. Experience will produce the same result
respecting the law students. They should not be
debarred because they are law students.
To alienate them from the societies would pre
vent harmony between the various colleges of the
university. All tendencies in this direction should
be avoided. They are students of the university and.
should be entitled to all the privileges that other stud
ents enjoy. The societies have taken no action as
yet in regard to the matter, and it is hoped that they
win not.
But what is the real cause why such a discussion
has arisen? Is it really because the law students
would not receive as much benefit as they would
receive by forming an exclusive law society, or that"
they would in any way prove injurious to the literary
societies? Certainly not. While such may be argued
is it not superficial? That new literarv societies
should be formed is a fact. Thn nnii'it,. k ua
such a rapid increase in the number of students that
tlwre is an imperative demand for new literary socie
ties. At present there are nhnni- inn ctm-loufc nitanl.
ing the various departments of the university. There
are six secret societies; three for ladies, and three for
gentlemen. The total membership of these secret
societies is less than thirty five. There are three open
literary societies with a total membership of about
two hundred. There are, then, about four hundred
students who do not enjoy the privilege of any uni
versity society. Of course, there are a number who
do not wish to connect themselves with any society;
but there are many more who would rejoice if they
might enjoy such privileges and such opportunities
as the literary societies afford. The relative number
of members of the various societies of the university
prove beyond a doubt which are most beneficial and
essential to the university. Students know what a
good thing is when they come in contact with such,
and they, also, know how to express their annrecia-
I tion. Their appreciation is expressed by where they are
luuiiu. wnue me tnree literary societies can accom-