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VIEWS.
VIEWS
EDITOR VIEWS:
A letter recently appeared in the Phi Kappa Psi Shield, from the chapter at this place, in which a student of high standing and ability is alluded to as being a "poor specimen."
The fact that this was published where it was highly improbable that the injured person would ever see it, and that he would be wholly unable to reply, renders this misrepresentation all the more contemptible. No doubt the correspondent has ample right to bear a grudge toward this "poor specimen,' but to vent his malice in this despicable, back-biting manner, is mean and low. The author of the lie may rest assured that his kind advertisement will be duly appreciated by the friends of the "poor specimen,' as well as by all others possessed of common sense. "D."
The "unpleasantness" in the Oread society was but a natural outcome of the bitter partisan politics which has engrossed the entire attention of that organization during the year. Wherever responsibility may rightfully belong, the cold and barren fact remains that the society aforesaid throughout the year has been the scene of political machinations which would disgrace an ordinary ward caucus. Literary work has been ignored in the disgusting scramble for position, and in the distribution of honors merit has cut absolutely no figure at all. A single faction has dictated in all elections, because of its own impudence and the cowardice of all other parties. If third parties ever exercise a beneficial influence it is surely not in this instance. The balance of power held by a third party among the Oreads has driven the fraternities, in their
anxiety to obtain its support, to extremities of prostration, in which most of their members as individuals, would disdain to be guilty. It seems to be generally conceded that so much disreputable scheming and bargaining was never before known so far back as the memory of man can run. As stated in the beginning, all legitimate society work has been swallowed up in the "dirty pool of politics," and it is safe to add that never before in society elections was fitness so universally snubbed by personal interest and personal malice; and the products of some elections have been wonderful to behold. The demoralizing effect of the political maneuvering which has kept the society busy to the exclusion of everything else, is seen in the frivolities which characterize the ordinary routine of business. The most common transaction of business cannot be carried on without a rehash of almanac jokes, and a parliamentary exercise from which little benefit is derived, judging from some recent exploits of occupants of the chair. How long the present state of affairs will continue can only be conjectured; but it is a self evident truth that proceedings which have driven from the society many of its best members, tends towards its inevitable dissolution, and unless a reform is soon instituted there will be few to weep at its funeral. Certainly non-existence is infinitely more respectable than continued being as a burlesque on its professed objects and aspirations. It savors strongly of joking to call the Oread a literary society. Like many a promising man, the Oread society has gone into politics, and it is almost hoping against hope to expect her to emerge—at least till some of the elements of discord have vanished from the scene.