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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1897)
? 3 THE : HESPERIAN the proportionate smallness of their numbers is unnoticed. The law men tire an integral portion of University state. They are entitled to the best the institution aflbrds and show a disposition to take advantage of the opportun- Athletio Election. There seems to be some dissatisfaction at the outcome of the election of officers in the athletic association, held Saturday morning. The fact that the new oflicers were elected by athletic lines and their influence will doubt less be no less potent during this year. The Hesperian welcomes the law men, their musty precedents and innumerable citations, their readiness in debate and facility in poli tics, their bellicose club meetings and drastic constitutional methods. There shall no longer be a division line between academies and laws; we are all one living, expanding student body. ity. Last year the disciples of Blnckstone a rising or viva voce vote furnishes ground made themselves telt in forensic, literary and for the charge that tho election was uncoijsli- tutional. Tho letter of the constitution gives color to the charge. By-laws may bo laid aside by a two-thirds vote; but a constitution can harlly be disposed of in that manner. The constitution is the fundamental law of the organization and can be changed or amended only in a prescribed way. It would seem that it can hardly be over-ridden even by unanimous consent and in this case unani mous consent was not asked for. In fact the point was not raised at all, as to tho illegality of the method of election. The article in the constitution referring to elections reads as follows: "All elections shall be by roll call.'' The election, by the body of tho association, of two of the faculty members of the Univer sity Athletic Board was certainly beyond their power and so void. Article III of the "Con stitution of the University Board of Athletics' ' reads as follows: "This board shall consist of ten members, live of whom shall be the Board of Directors of the Student Athletic Associa tion. The remaining live shall be members of the faculty chosen as follows: Threo by the general faculty, and two by the Board of Directors of the Student Athletic Association, ' ' It is to be hoped that a satisfactory adjust ment of the matter may be made equitable to all parties concerned. The student body should control this organization; it should also control its legality. It cannot afford to neg lect the letter or spirit of its regulating law. toiiiciii;,v on i Ic lucnuiwe : The attendance and programs at the various literary societies and debating clubs at the iniatory meetings argue well for the year's work in literary and forensic lines. The so cieties without exception rendered thoroughly good programs. The class of students in at tendance indicates efficient work, social re finement and literary culture. There was no lagging. The spirit of the meetings was ap parent in the uniform excellence of the pro ductions and the intense interest manifested by the auditors. The social influence of these organizations is broad and liberal. Jt is the; right sort, elevating, equalizing and refining. The four debating clubs represent a member ship of at least 1200 men. Here is a live, en thusiastic, energetic assembly of men who have brain power and propose to use it. The University cannot but feel their influence and in the days to come the stale will have cause to be proud of the work of these clubs. They are stronger than ever before; they touch liv ing issues; they grind mind against mind; they produce not alone thinkers but convey Prof. Wunlillu. Prof. Franklin is a graduate of Cornell uni versity class of '87. For three years he ore of thought- they foster liberality and crush studied political science and history in the narrowness; they are for equality and against university of Chicago. He comes here ao an exclusiveness. assistant in American history. He has had Altogether the societies and clubs are the three years under Prof. Von Hoist of Chicago strong bulwarks of the University. No young and two years under Moses Coit Tyler at man or woman who desires to be something Cornell University. Prof. Franklin has had in the world and for the world can afford to seven years experience in WiocouBin and Kau- forego their advantages. sas as a history instructor.