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THE HESPERIAN.
declared that literary societies were old fogies and
away behind the times. How then do they reconcile
this statement with their recent action? But desper
ation knows no laws and in casting about for means
with which to revive thoir waning fortunes, the frats
have not cared to carry out a policy in harmony with
the statements of some of their prominent members.
The society may struggle for a few months. The
frats may catch a few unsuspecting members by offer
ing as a bait to them all the advantages of a fraternity
with those of the open society. Yet be assured of
one thing if the fraternities ever gain the ascend
ancy here, then no longer will they take any interest
in literary work.
This last movement has been forced upon them.
Let the good work go on. Let us force them to
maintaia a literary society just as long as any of them
are left. We shall be able to do so if the barbarian
societies continues in the same course that they have
followed during this year.
IjffT has been suggested that it would be a good
(pl sheme to organization an inter-collegiate athletic
association in Nebraska, Now it seems to us that
this would be a very good thing to do. And the pro
per time to take steps for such an organization will be
when the representatives of several educational insti
tutions meet at the state contest.
Western colleges do not take sufficient interest in
athletic' sports. Let the different institutions -of Ne
braska then attempt to arouse some .enthusiasm for
manly sport and thus set an example for other states
to follow. We have already a state and an inter
state oratarical association. Why not also have a
stale and an inter-state athletic association? Any
thing that will tend to bring together students from
different institutions of learning should be encouraged.
The more intercourse there is between students of
different schools the more will those students respect
and appreciate each other. The student who knows
only what advantages are offered by any single institu
tion, is pretty apt to be narrow minded and to
imagine that his school is the best in the country.
It is to be hoped that the various colleges and uni
versities of the state will give this subject some consideration.
E have taken occasion several times before now
to remind the students here that they do not
take sufficient interest in the local oratorical associa
tion. If we stay in the state association an effort
should be made to win the contest once in a while at
least, and not allow the denominational colleges to
carry off the honors every year. In striking contrast
to the small numbers that took part in our local con
test was the large number of contestants at Doane.
The latter institution has not perhaps more than one
third as many college students as there are in the uni
versity and yet at Doane there were nearly three
times as many on the contest as there are here. In
the constitution of the association there, is a clause
that limits the number of contestants from each liter
ary society. Now that clause should be removed.
Give everybody who desires it, a chance to go on the
local contest.
The societies should wake up and appoint, before
the end of the year, orators that will represent them
next year. No matter how much brains a student
may have it is imposible for him to write a first-class
oration in three or four months and carry his school
work , besides. To conclude, if we do not wish to
bring discredit upon this university we should either
withdraw from the state oratorical association or take
more interest in preparing' for the state contest.
INCE it is not very long until the inter-state
oratorical contest will be held in this city, we
may be pardoned for asking the students what arrange
ments have been made for entertaining those who
will soon be our guests. Of course a committee has
been appointed to superintend affairs in general but
unless the committee recieve the hearty support of
tne students, little can be accomplished. The stud
ents should remember that the reputation of the uni
versity is at stake. They should take more interest
in this matter than they 1 ave been taking. Perhaps
they do not know what should be done. If this is
the case it is only necessary for them to call upon the
chairman of the committee on entertainment and he
will cheerfully give the desired information. Now
do not postpone all action until a week or two before
the contest. It you delay until then it will be to late
to accomplish anything. Large delegations arc ex
pected from all the states and a special train from
Kansas. We cannot afford to allow those people to
think that we are inhospitable. Since this concerns
the whole institution we hope to see all students,
regardless of political feelings, unite in an effort to
give to our visitors a most hearty welcome. Let it
be the aim of each student to do all in his power to
make it pleasant for them. Let us give our friends
such a hearty reception that they may long recall
with pleasant thoughts the time when they attended
the inter-state contest at Lincoln.
Dr. Garten, eye, car, nose mid throat specialist. Glasses
fitted. 1115 O street, Lincoln, Neb.
T. Ewh:g & Co have now an opportunity to show oflTan im
mense stock of plothing to great advantage. Their new quar
ters 1115-17 O street arc undoubtedly the fiHcslin the city.
Call around and inspect both store and goods.
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