4
THE HESPERIAN
CURRENT COMMENT.
The work of the debating clubs has been unusually
spirited so far this term. Students who have hitherto been
indifferent arc beginning to see there is something in them
more than the name. The questions brought up for discussion
are such as are agitating the minds of men at present, and
no man can help becoming interested and taking an active
part. Wc arc glad to sec so much interest manifested by
our girls by their auxiliary clubs. The work done by them
is such as to stimulate more active work on the part of the
bo's. Indeed the clubs seem to vie with each other in
their work, but it is a friendly rivalry and portends a healthy
growth for all. There is no place where students can benefit
themselves more than in the debating clubs. We are
inclined to place them even ahead of the regular literary
societies for preliminary work. They may justly be styled
the training schools preparatory to the higher work of the
literary societies. Let us keep up the good work that has
been begun "and at the close of the year, when we sum up
our gains, wc shall find "that the time spent in the debating
clubs has been the most profitable part of our year's work.
The great tariff discussion that has occupied the attention
of congress so long, has demonstrated to the people of this
country that we are drifting into a species of class legislation
discriminating between the industries of men. This
debate was inauguarated in the interests of relief, and hence
was not strictly confined to the tariff on imported goods, but
embraced those other tariffs that are inflicted upon the
masses of this country in the interests of special lines of
industries. The sovereign power of the people is no longer
theirs but has been let, leased if you please, to the manu
facturers and to the railroads of this country, who fix prices
to suit themselves, regardless of the rights of others. But
the time has at last arrived when the toiling classes of the
great west have opened their eyes only to sec that they have
been misled by the greedy, avaricious leaders. They arc
beginning to demand an equalization of the burdens so that
all sections of the country may be equally secure. We
believe this question will be met in this state and in this
nation by all classes, regardless of parlies, and that the
sentiment of the people will be written in ineffaceable char
acters upon their ballots, and from them transferred to the
statutes of our land, to stand as monuments of equality and
justice erected by the people of this generation, to benefit
not alone themselves but generations yet to be.
The subject of a geological survey of Nebraska is one
which should be of much interest to us. In no other way
can the resources of the state be brought out. Such a survey
has also much that is important to the faiming class, as the
work would necessarily embrace many things concerning the
condition of the soil, crops, drouths, etc., in which they are
directly interested. The study of depredating insects would
be well carried out; and the question of forage plants, a
question which is already a causing much anxiety, would be
well discussed. This is also a subject of much importance
to the University, as the work would probably be done under
the direction of the heads of the several departments. Such
a work, if well done, would have much to do in giving our
University a position among the other schools of the country,
especially the scientific schools. This work would make our
Univeisity better known by the people over the state, and
consequently it would be better appreciated. The people
would know that we are doing something to benefit them
directly, and would be mors willing to give the money for
buildings, apparatus and books which the development of
the school makes necessary. A good survey of the state can
be made at very little expense. The work in geology,
botany, chemistry, etc., can be superintended by the
professors at the head of these several departments. These
are now paid by the state and will be willing to do the work
if expenses are paid. Of course assistants would have to be
paid, but this would be but a small item of expense, as
much of the work of assistants can be done by students who
are making specialties of the dificrent lines of study, and
who would be willing to do such work if their expenses arc
paid. The legislature will probably be asked this year for an
appropriation for the survey, and each student should make
it a point to use all his influence in the right direction.
The Hesperian is glad to note that the many business
men are becoming cognizant of the fact that such a thing as
a college paper is published at our University. Until
recently, business men, in seeking for some way by which
they could belter advertise their business than by a sign
over the door, did not know that such a thing as a college
paper existed, and wholly ignored us. The fact is, a student
is usually wide awake and will bestow his patronage when he
can gut something in return. Hence it is that when a pur
chase is decided upon the students glance over -the pages of
the college paper and go to the man that advertises to
exchange his cash for goods. Students have an interest in
the college paper and they are determined to do what they
can towards supporting it, and in no better way can this be
done than by supporting the business men who are desirous
enough of our patronage to advertise. Why, but the other
day, a business man approached the editor with a melancholy
look and wanted to know if the students had all deserted the
university. He was promptly informed that there were more
students in attendance than ever before. "Then," said he,
"how docs it happen that I do not get more student trade if
you have more students;" and continuing he said, "I used to
have a big student trade." Then, seeing that he was really
grieved because the students had forgotten him, ye editor
began to press him more closely and finally learned that he
used to advertise extensively in the paper but recently he
had not done so thinking that he was so well known that to
advertise longer would be a waste of capital. lie was soon
made happy by being informed that students usually patron
ized men who were willing to do something in return for
their patronage, and immediately "caught on" to the error
he had made, and will advertise from this time on in the
college paper. If a business man desires the trade of the
students let him not be as unwise as was this man, but step
up to the business manager and give him an advertisement
and wc will guarantee that trade will be diverted from other
channels towards him; that he will rejoice in the fact that
such a paper as The Hesperian exists, and that prosperity
will attend him on every hand.
About this time the indulgent parent of the college young
man is puzzled by the following contradictory correspondence:
"Dear Sir. I regret to inform you that your son is too
fast for moral atinostphere of the college, and unless he puts
on the brakes he must not return next term.
College President."
"Dear Sir. Inclosed find your son's bill for seven suits,
English style. The young man is too sjpw for this place,
and unless he spudges up, I will run him out of town next
term' College Tailor." Fx,