EDITORIAL.
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mean asked to resign. Prof. Williams was called to the vacant chair. Since then the progress has been something marvelous. The Normals now have a large literary society of their own which is doing excellent work. The entertainments inaugurated by the society two years ago have been equal to those of its older sisters. The Normals have themselves fully equaled the regular collegiates in scholarship. Last year they took some of the best prizes. As tutors, they have given thorough satisfaction. The graduates have met with eminent success, occupying many of the first positions in our state schools. Even if that popular criterion, the salary, be taken, they will be found to hold their own with the collegiates. Recognizing the importance of the Normal department the Courier company last year gave it an editor on the Courier-an action we have never regretted.
Comparing the position of the Normal department three years ago, with that it now holds, Prof. Williams' reputation as being one of the first educators in the country seems well deserved. The special instruction in teaching given here is recognized as the best the state affords; and when we add to this the admirable advantages enjoyed in common by the Normals and collegiates, we have indeed the finest Normal school in the west.
It seems that a mistake was made in the situation of the University. It is a long, cold climb in the first place, especially hard upon young women; then the distance from the student's boarding place enforces an arrangement of recitations that is damaging to good work and good health. This is the compression of all recitations into the four hours between nine and one. While three studies are held sufficient by the faculty, yet the ambitious and hard working student generally takes four. He
is compelled to go directly from one class to another, often on very dissimilar subjects, without any time to think about what is coming. A good recitation, when both teacher and pupil do their duty, is harder work than the preparation of the lesson, because it requires greater concentration and quickness. This compressing so much work into so short a time is hard upon both professor and student. Only those of strongest constitutions can do equally good work all round and stand the strain. By the most something must be slighted.
It would be much better if the University were in the midst of the town, so that the lectures and recitations could be scattered through the day, allowing time for rest and study between them. This is the custom at the German schools, and to some extent at Harvard. It is now impossible to move the school down town. The only thing left seems to be the erection of boarding houses and dormitories on the hill. There are advantages in the old system of the University owning the dormitories. If the authorities can see their way clear to readopting this, there is plenty of room on the campus for buildings. In spite of the outcry against dormitories, we believe it would be a good plan to erect them, and also a dining hall and restaurant on the campus. We think something should be done. Let us hear from others. "R."
Almost before the late representative Haskell was in his grave, the newspapers began to agitate the question of his successor. A decent respect for the dead would have allowed some little time to elapse before discussing, publicly, at least, such a matter as this. But our politicians are all afraid that some one of their number may get in his bid ahead of the others.