12
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
FRATERNITY NOTES.
Prof. Karl Merz, of the Wooster Conservatory of Music will take charge of the music for Sigma Chi's new song book.
Dr. Jas. M. Ambler, the unfortunate surgeon of the ill-fated Jeannette, was a member of Beta Theta Pi.
"Our ranks have been strengthened by 45 new members this year, and there does not seem to be any sign whatever of our ceasing to exist very soon."—Yale Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon.
The Pan Hellenic conference of the fraternities of the United States will be held in New York, beginning July 4th, 1883. Among the questions for discussion is that against "lifting" of members of one chapter by that of another fraternity, and against the initiation of preparatory students. There has been a strong feeling against taking in preparatory students all over the Union. Some faculties entirely prohibit it, at other places the chapters have agreed among themselves not to do it, while several of the best fraternities have laws against such initiations.
From Hon. J. H. Willard's Address before the Indiana Legislature on the Purdue Case: "The Greek Fraternities train the student by the art of criticism into habits of correct thought. They teach him the first rudiments of political maneuvering. They give him new and broader ideas of humanity. They elevate him in all that constitutes true manhood. These fraternities form the green oasis in the desert of collegiate labor. For myself I can say that the Greek fraternities into which I had the honor to be initiated, accomplished for me fully as much as the collegiate course itself; and in after days when fighting the battle of life, in the pauses of the contest, with what fond remembrance does the mind look back and dwell on fraternity experience! I have experienced the beneficent influence of a Greek fraternity, and never shall my voice be silent when they are assailed until my tongue is stilled in death."—[Phi Gamma Delta.
President E. E. White, of Purdue University, Lafayette Ind., has resigned, because of the legislative demand for the abolishment of the anti-fraternity rule. He was formerly school commissioner of Ohio.
The class of '79 in the Ohio Wesleyan has furnished editors to the journals of three of the fraternities represented in Kansas University—Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi and Beta Theta Pi. What is more odd, all three of these editors used to be on a college paper together.
EXCHANGE.
With this issue, the Courier exchange man like a hundred or more of his contemporaries makes his "little bow and retires." Nor is it with any feeling of relief, for it brings with it a feeling like that of parting with true and lifelong friends. 'Tis true our connection with
the college world has been but one short and fleeting year, yet the file of exchanges, from the leading colleges in the land, rise before us as testimonials of college enterprise and thrift, and reveal to us in language more strongly than words, that our efforts have not been entirely in vain. The many complimentary notices as well as the criticisms that have been for the Courier's benefit, have all been received with the best of feeling. In no case did we feel that the Courier was above criticism, and have been pleased to notice that the same spirit has prevailed, with one or two exceptions, among our exchanges. The vindictive spirit that a few have shown when criticisms or suggestions were made, have only exhibited the illiberality and narrowness, so characteristic of the institutions of which they are the offspring. To these, who in retaliation for our well meaning suggestions, poured grape and canister in our camp, we will say that we have survived, and expect to so long as no larger guns are in the field. But to one and all we give you a metaphorical "shake," wishing you many prosperous years and a pleasant acquaintance with our successors.
The Asbury Monthly contains an engraving of President Martin of the Indiana Asbury University, together with an article on "The President of Asbury University." We like to see the enthusiasm manifested by the Asbury Monthly.
The Calliopean Clarion publishes an excellent article on "Herbert Spencer's Doctrine of Relaxation." The great subject of "Life" it treats with an originality that has always been a marked characteristic of the Clarion. We attempted to ridicule once upon a time the continued love story "Under the Elm Trees" but we here retract all we said, inasmuch as a member of the Courier staff (a good judge of love stories, too) has invaded our "sanctum" regularly each month, for no other purpose than that of imbibing this periodical nectar. The editor pronounces it first class and wants more.
The Swarthmore Phoenix comments upon the "Marking system" another "relic of barbarism," still in vogue in so many colleges and universities in our land. You are embarked in a cause Bro. Phoenix but you might as well attempt to stem the ocean's tide, as to convince some college officials that this mouldy old system of their sires is any other than the best.
The Wesleyan Bee becomes philosophical very suddenly and gives vent to its wisdom in such articles as "The March of Mind" Life's Purpose" and "Man's Moral Future." We have no objections to them but think they might have scattered them occasionally through some of their preceding numbers.
The Hesperian Student wants all exchanges that have not sent in congratulations on the "liberal appropriation for its support" to do so at once as it is ready to receive them. Tally us, Bro. Student. $150 by the Regents, and all for improving the Student's office. How we envy that ex. man, Walnut table—mahogany and French veneering—ex. man independent as a ho excuse us—as independent as a Califia nabob.