T II E U Ii S P li R I A Ar . 9- THE HESPERIAN (HESPERIAN STUDENT.) Issued semi-monthly by the IlKsrilKlAN Publishing Associ ation, of lliu University of Nebraska. W. S PERRIN, EDITOR.-IN-CIUEF. ASSOCIATE: I. K. CI.ARK, VS7. FANNIE A. HAKER, '89. A. II. IUGELOW, 'S7. C. S. LOIJINCIER, 'So. Husinkss Manager - - - - R. S. Mockktt. SUP.SCKIPTION AGENT - - - O. II. POI.K. TERMS OH SUBSCRIPTION: One copy, per college year. One copy, one half year, Single copy, $1.00 .50 .05 able administration of Prof. Bessey. Represented by one member of the class of '89, two '90, two in the first year of the Latin School and one in the New El ementary course, the Agricultural department bids fair to be eventually one of the leading courses of our University. Not only should the University be proud of the advance made, but our Nebraska farmers should join in hailing the dawn of thorough and scientific agricultural training for their sons. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the new administration for their efforts in that direction. ADVERTISING RATES ON APPLICATION. Address all communications to The Hesperian, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb. EDITORIAL NOTES. The first number of the Hesperian appears, accord ing to all precedent, about a week late. The board of editors are not, however, without some excuse this time. Every preparation had been made and a lack of printers alone caused delay. Printers are alarming ly scarce and the best efforts of the manager could not secure the services of an extra one for this number. The elective system lately adopted at Harvard is pronounced a success by the authorities of that insti tution. We are very much inclined to think with them that the principle involved and the theory set up arc right and deserving of all due encouragement, but we cannot think with them that the system lias proved an unquestionable success. One year's trial cannot determine tl c worth of such a system. Fif teen or twenty years will scarce suffice to niove it be yond a reasonable doubt. In accordance with the express wish of the stu dents, as published by the Hesperian, a new', and withal, satisfactory mail service has been instituted in the University. The improvement over the old system is so vast tliat we hesitate whether or not in justice we should ask for anything more. But would it not still fin titer expedite matters could certain definite hours be determined upon when one could be assuied of receiving his mail? Two such appoint ments per day would save the students much incon venience. A great loss of time is sustained, as at present arranged, by the necessity for repeated calls, before the student can finally succeed in finding the Steward in Iris office. Let such hours be chosen and announced, and we will thereby remove another source of annoyance from the full list of the already over-taxed students. The increase in the number of students, the com pletion of the chemical laboratory, the new division of work among the instructors, the improvements about the old building, everything points to a year of un precedented work and prosperity for the University. But the attendance is not as large as it should be. Moreover, the legislature meets this winter; conse quently our future, though most flattering, b not wholly determined. Indeed, these things are in our own hands, our work is but begun. The Agricultural Course Jakes an almost unprece dented start this year, which is, no doubt, due to the Among the many misfortunes incident to student enteqirises, the graduation of those fitted to fill posi tions of responsibility, are perhaps the most common and the most destructive. The Hesperian has sur vived many such losses; and while lamenting them, moved on in the line of duty as if nothing had hap pened, barring the fact that some little time is gen erally lost in calling a meeting of the Association for the purpOEe of new elections. While regretting the the loss of Mr. E. R. Holmes who is taking a year's vacation, and also making excuse for the consequent delay in the appearance of this number, we yet con sider ourselves fortunate in securing an able success or in the person of Miss Fannie A. Baker. Miss Ba ker will have charge of the exchange column, and though unused to journalistic work, will doubtless acquit herself and her sex in a most creditable man ner in the management of that department. The new library arrangements do not seem to be giving entire satisfaction among the students. Order, a very desirable thing indeed, lias been secured by the change; but we question whether that one gain can recompense the students for the many losses they feel themselves to have sustained. It is part of our