afiBBSft
lt-ii-J,
ii.trfi ' .. '
T I IK H 15 S PER I AN.
v, ding the studcMHs will lake hold of it and give it
their support. As far as the students doing their
pin t is concerned, The Hesperian believes there
will be no tiouble. Is our university large enough
to carry on anything of this kind successfully? At
present, this seems to be the only stumbling block.
However, if our numbers increase next year as much
as they have this, there will be no trouble from that
source. The Hesperian would like to know what
students think about it. Any plan, or suggestion will
be appreciated. We invite .1 discussion of the mat
ter in our columns.
Why is the musical part of the programs at uni
versity entertainments appreciated so little? It has
become a custom among the students to have a gen
eral good time during the rendition of music. They
seem to take it for granted that this time is to be
used for whispering. Some, apparently, think that
musicians are invited to play in order that the audi
ence may have a social chat between the literary
numbers. We have music in our programs, because
many of us would rather hear a fine piece of music
well rendered, than an oration. It requires as much
hard work and talent to prepare a piece of music, as
it docs to write a good oration. There are very few
that devote as much tune to literary articles, that are
given even at our contests, as an accomplished musi
cian gives to the study of music. Is not their labor
as valuable as ours? Is it right to invite persons to
furnish us with music, then make so much noise
during the rendition of it? People do not like to
favor us with music when they receive such treat
ment. Let us lemcmbcr this in the future. We
should be more considerate for the feelings of those
that do us favors. Politeness is evidence, as well as
fruit, of culture.
The nationnl guards will go in to camp this year
in June, at Omaha. During the third week of (he
month thete will be a series of competitive drills.
$16,000 will be awarded in prizes. The first compe
tition is open to any white military compaify. The
first prize will be $5000, nnri a Galveston cup; the
second, $2000; the third, $1000.
The maidens drill is open to any white military
company that has not received us high as third place
in any previous drill. There will be three prizes
given: the first, $1500; second, $750; third, $500.
There will also be artillery drills. In this, single
gun detachments will compete. The first prize will
be, $ioooj second, $500; third, $250. There will
be another drill with galling guns. In this, the prizes
nre as follows: first, $1500; second, $750; third,
500.
Since this drill is open to any white company,
The Hesperian sees no reason why the university
cannot send a company to Omaha to compete. We
have a United States officer to drill us. This is
something, probably, of which no other company
can boast. We also have about one hundred and
seventy-five men from whom to select a company.
The battalion has been drilling under the new tac
tics for four months already. These facts will surely
give us no little advantage. We believe the univer
sity can send a company to Omaha that will be equal
to any there. Furthermore, it will redound tu the
credit of the university, even if we do not win any
prizes.
Let us improve this opportunity. We have a
special company organized now. But there must be
some changes made in it. In the first place, there
are several men that shou'd be removed, and others
put in their places. If we expect to succeed, it will
be necessary to select men, irrespective of class or
rank in the battalion. If there are first preps that
can drill better than juniors or seniors, they
should be assigned to the company, and the juniors
or seniors rejected. In choosing the men three
things should be taken into consideration effi
ciency in drill, the form of the men, and their size.
There are men in the battalion, and, some of them
are non-commissioned officers, that have been drill
ing for two or three years, but are still poorly drilled
men. Such cadets should not be taken who are
defective in appearance. These, also, should be left
out. If it is possible, the company should be nude
of large men.' We believe it would be a good plan
to take no one below five feet eight inches, or over
six feel. This would make a fine looking company.
However, if it sl'ould be impossible to get enough
good men between these two extremes, therulevinight
be slightly relaxed. Hetter to have a greater variety
in size than to take poorly drilled men.
Judging from the manner in which Lieutenant
Pershing made promotions last fall, we believe that
the matter of choosing men for the company should
be entirely left in his hands. Past experience and
association with military men have well qualified
him for the work. If selecting the men is left to him,
The Hesperian believes that efficient men only,
will find places in the company.
If we compete, the company must devote much
time and work to the undertaking. They should
drill twice now, and later three times a week. They
could put in another hour between five and six, on
either Tuesday or Thursday. Every man in the
company should feel that he ought to do his very
best. He should submit to any neccessary disci
pline to better the company. He should study the
tactics. Every man in the company should be qual
ified to take the company and drill it any time. He
should be able to distinguish between the finest