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VIEWS.
VIEWS
One of our literary societies has descended from its elevated position as a literary society into a mere political machine. It seems as if the objects of a few weak-minded members who belong to the society is to hold office, or at least to deal with the politics rather than the literary work. As the result the society is divided up into cliques, each of which endeavors to elect its partisans to office, no matter what their ability.
This state of affairs certainly speaks very bad for the society, and is rapidly telling on its interest and reputation among the students, and even on people outside of the University. Visitors who formerly came to meetings to hear the literary productions are now kept away, knowing that they will see and hear nothing but a wrangle between a few quarrelsome members.
So fixed has become this political tendency that one member of the society (the leader of these low-brained politicians) has declared "that he cared not if the society was broken up provided that he obtained his ends." What "his ends" are is not known, except it be the election of some politician to office or vengeance on some opposing member or faction.
The member to whom we referred the above remark is the noisiest member of the society, and he is no doubt accomplishing his object. Every wrangle that arises in the society is found to emanate from him. He is, as was said above, the leader of a "gang;" a "gang" composed of the weakbrained members, who support him in every quarrel. A movement was set on foot a short time ago to rid the society of his presence, but his political influence was so
strong that it saved him from expulsion.
The society is losing ground every week, and if something is not done before a great while the inevitable result will follow—the breaking up of the society. The only available remedy seems to be the expulsion of the offending member. Until this is done no peace can be hoped for in society affairs, and the attendance of the society must dwindle till it becomes no society at all.
OREAD.
The faculty have spent a great deal of valuable time discussing various "systems" for disciplining absentees, but it has probably never occured to them to test the virtue of no "system" at all. It seems to be the fixed intention of that most honorable body to make the University deserving of the epithet which it has received and resented—a boys' and girls' school. Doubtless students are often absent without excuse, but it is easy to invent one; and the fact that it is required never takes anyone into a class if for any reason he wishes to keep out. Regular attendance is no doubt eminently desirable, but experience has shown it cannot be obtained by primary school discipline. Finally, what particular difference can it make to a professor if a student is occasionally found missing provided he is always prepared when present?
EDITOR VIEWS :
Would like to call attention of the students to the Athletic organization to be effected Friday afternoon, March 14. That such an organization is needed has long been acknowledged. We surely have excellent opportuniteis for a boat club, base ball nine etc.,etc. X.