Carry M Watson
THE
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
Published weekly at the University of Kansas.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, APRIL 5, 1894.
Vol. XII.
The Courier is published every Thursday during collegiate year by the University Courier Publishing Co.
Subscription $1.00 per year in advance, single copies 5 cents.
Address all communications and contributions to the editor-in-chief; all business communications to the business manager, and subscriptions to the circulator, Lawrence, Kansas.
Entered at the Lawrence postoffice as second-class matter.
F. E. BUCHAN, Editor.
FRANK BOWKER, Local Editor.
E. W. PALMER, Literary and Exchange Editor.
ROLLA MITCHELL, Athletic and Amusement Editor.
No.20.
E. P. LUPFER, Managing Editor.
C. R. TROXEL, Business Manager. L. S. CHAMBERLAIN, Circulator. A. B. BATES, Treasurer.
"The quality of a man's work depends on the quality of his own life; and as he cheapens himself and takes life less seriously so his work will become less fine and strong and show to the world his each easy step from grace."—RICHARD HARDING DAVIS.
The result of the recent political fight between the north college men and the collegiates of south college is of valuable significance to both factions who woo the fickle plaudits of youthful political glory. The old law which has been the basis of representation of our Federal Government still holds good in minor fights; and in the future it would be wise policy for the north side men were they to remember that it is a matter of one of two things—Representation according to apportionment or—No representation at all.
The March issue of the Review comes to us this month containing two bright readable articles by members of the Senior class, an eight line spring poem, a few articles of questionaly interest and six (6) pages of editorials. About half of the so called editorials are devoted to rediscussing articles which have appeared in College Life, while the other space is devoted to indescriminate mutterings, without effect, on what the Courier has had to say the past few weeks. The Review by right of its constitution, was intended as a literary publication and not one which answers as a medium through which the editor could vent the spleen of his nature.
In glancing through the eastern papers one is ever surprised to note with what accuracy and detail the work of the athlete in each college is recorded. Nothing of interest transpires but of which an exhaustive and critical review is printed and in consequence our large city dailies contain column upon column of authentic athletic matter pertaining to the interests of such schools with whom they are nearest in touch or with whom they have most in common. By this method each college is kept informed of the inside workings of its rival and is thereby enabled to profit by the advancement of methods and theories which they may advance. Herein lies one of the incentives of college sentiment, college enthusiasm, and college success whereby each college is put upon its mettle and that true college spirit kept at such a heights that when the day of contest comes, be it one of brain or brawn, we obtain only the best which months of hard thorough work can produce.
The state board of education at its last meeting in Topeka decided that any student who had completed the junior year of the University course shall by passing the required examinations in the "professional" subjects be entitled to a state certificate. This is but giving the University proper credit for the work it does and is an action which should have been taken long ago.
And now with vacation past we have before us a long pull and a hot one. The past few days the old faces have presented themselves in the halls ready to begin work after the week's recess. Pleasant as spring is and gladly as she is welcomed there comes to every student an unsatiable desire to scatter books, studies, professors—all in fact to the four winds of heaven, and do nothing—absolutely nothing but loaf. This is but natural, but the remaining eight weeks will pass quickly and then comes—rest.
ORATORY as it once existed is without a doubt one of the written pages of American history. During the golden age of American oratory electric wires had not spanned the country from sea to sea, the daily newspaper and magazine were as yet in their infancy. Now the wheel of fortune has turned full round and there is not a question of vital importance which concerns the immediate interest of municipality, state or nation but what is flashed into every state; read, and discussed in the home of every intelligent citizen. In the days of those matchless masters, Webster and Clay, the latter condition of affairs did not exist, journalism had not reached its present development and the common mass were swayed, more or less, by the masters of the art of persuasion, then considered the highest accomplishment. Never again will such a condition of affairs exist. The press and our institutions of learning have silently and surely done their work.
And yet eloquence has not and never will lose its charm or its power. No reason exists why it should not flourish and be held in high esteem in our American colleges and however all dominant power in these institutions has been athletics. Positions on the different teams or on the creware much sought after and, often months or even years of hard training he who is so fortunate as to secure a position on any one of these is deemed a hero forthwith. The tendency in this direction has been so strong that the faculties of the largest schools in the east have taken it upon themselves to adopt some method whereby the onward movement can be checked. No doubt but what a reform in athletics is in order, which problem the faculties, athletic associations and public opinion will settle in the near future. And while athletics always will hold the high position in colleges for the great benifit which is derived from them physically and the natural college enthusiasm which then engender, why not at the same time assume and maintain a more intellectual and dignified position by gradually raising oratory to the standard which it should hold. Yearly contests in oratorical associations are excellent examples of the deficiencies which exist in the art. In many cases it is absolutely painful to watch the awkward efforts of those who come before a critical audience totally unprepa- ed for public speaking. This reform can in no better way be bright about and into prominence than by the permanent establishment of societies for just this very thing not spasmotic efforts but combined interest on the part of both faculty and students. No reason exists why oration should not be as powerful a factor in college distinction as in skill on the gridiron, the track or the water. Can not both reforms work together?