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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1879)
ai K1UT01MAI.S VOL. VIII, S' I'i I! " Ml jB jlHK ticc when they neglect to give tlicm a tlue shui'c of attention. With respect to the declamations, we would make no criti cism on the instructors; all can spare the time thai those exercises require lor their preparation. Hut with essays the case is dillcrcut. In composition, as in all rllicr things, tastes vary. Each individual oft en h is :i particular vein in this depart ment wherein he excels; but when a large class have aligned to them a common subject, it nicy prove to wine both dif lluult and iticongenial. The results, there fore, aie not a fair teM of the individual ability of the class. In fact, this disad. vantage seems to us conspicious when, over the topics for essays are assigned by the professor. Fertile subjects, except to novices in the art of composition, are not indeed the most henellcial, but new and unfamiliar ones do not necessarily lead to the best re suits. Topics are sometimes assigned which require, in order to be well treated, the spare reading of a term. Several au thors have to be read and their opinions have to be collected and generalized be fore the student can by independent think ing, I'oim his own conclusions. The student rarely has lime for this, and as a consequence, the essay does not often ex hibit the originality that it should. Spec ial reading on short notice is unfavorable to original composition. Topics which draw particularly on the miscellaneous knowledge, which all have acquired in various ways, are more likoly to exhibit the individual ability ami talent of the student. DEI'OHT.MKNT. Conducted as the Student is, we have duomed it the best policy to remain si lent in regard to the charges preferred against the University. Whatever we might say would only add fuel to the lire, because of our situation. Though we have looked on with much anxiety for the welfare of our Alma Mater, vol wo hoped we would not be drawn into the lists as either advocate or opponent. Nor should we, had not the conduct and mo rality of the students been impeached by an honorable gentleman of the Omaha Press. We should dislike very intiyli to charge a man of wilfully slandering the students as a body. Bui when an inlluential citi .on of the state, in the presence of a com mitte of the Nebraska Legislature, inti. mates that students of both sexes have been seen, wandering upon the streets of Lincoln at a late hour of the night, and conducting themselves otherwise than true ladies and gentleman, wo believe such a sentiment, publicly expressed, a slander, that only a speedy and proper explanation can etfase. The students, indeed, are permitted to walk upon the streets of Lincoln, outside of class hours Their conduct has not yet merited continemont in a dormitory. Moreover students are respected througa. out the city. Nor have wo ever hoard such a complaint made by a citizen of Lincoln. Coining from such a spoutane. ous fountain of charges, we havu little faith in its being substantiated by facts. If this bo the case, where then did the report originate? Who is the reporter? If this piece of i.iformalion, together with other charges, be untrue and second handed, we demand of the tattler to confess hisguilt, if ho refuses, let him bo ostracised from eivil xneiety liut on the other hand if this information is not second handed, wc shall thinic it far beneath the dignity of an Omaha editor to snoak through the streets of Lincoln to see if he can not find some student that has less gentlemanly qualities than himself. SCHOOL LEGISLATION. Within thu present century there has sprung up In American politics a new fea ture of legislation pertaining strictly to the facilities lor higher education. States mon, sensible oftho weighty responsibility
