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K1UT01MAI.S
VOL. VIII,
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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
