6
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
for a time that the students might at least see a man or two with brains? Whrenever a man makes it a point to denounce persons of character and standing as brainless, depend upon it, that man is about the biggest fool outside an idiot asylum.
The customary barbarism of electing representatives for Commencement was carried out some two weeks since. Of course all are not suited with the appointments for such a thing would be an impossibility. Better satisfaction, however, would have been given, had at least one lady been chosen. The term "barbarism" is used in the first sentence, because it seems to exactly characterize the custom under consideration. If it were asked why the Faculty pursue this course in making selections, the answer is plain. It is for the sake of effect, and hence more selfishness. That is to say, they put on one man not because he merits the position more than another but because they think he will make a little better speech than the other and thus give the University the reputation of turning out first-class work. Now it has long seemed to some that if any person can take a four years course in College and at the end of it be unable to make a fair speech, then there must be something radically wrong in the mode of educating in that College. If every member of a class be qualified to graduate, why would it not do to choose the representatives by lot? There would certainly be no injustice in this mode; which being true it is fair to presume that any other way is unjust. But if this plan is not feasible, the one of allowing those who obtain more than a certain per cent., say 90, to draw lots is more just than the one now in vogue. So also is that of allowing the person to represent his department, who gets the highest grade therein. If it is necessary that all but three of every class shall suffer, in order that those three and the Faculty may obtain a little honor, then let the present pernicious practice continue, and Sam Wood and Speaker Snoddy may prove to be right after all. It seems to us however that the present plan has been improvised for the want of a better and that it will be laid aside before many more classes shall have graduated.
TOPICS.
FANATICS.
Whenever a man becomes enthusiastic at the present day in a cause which he deems just, there is a certain class of people who are ever ready to raise the cry "fanatic." No matter how praise-worthy may be the scheme set forth or how commendable the man's reputation, they neither stop to consider nor to weigh his opinions. They make no attempt to look beyond the limited horizon of self and self-interest. They feel no sympathy for suffering, struggling humanity, no appreciation of the great thoughts which are moving the world. They are themselves incapable of intense feeling, and therefore brand as fanaticism all enthusiasm of a high unselfish purpose.
Looking back over history we find this same spirit has existed in former ages with fully as much unreasonable-
ness. Martin Luther was called a fanatic when he broke away from the corrupt hypocrisy of the Romish church and preached that doctrine which has spread wherever civilization has found its way. The dead dust of Martin Luther, the "fanatic," sleeps at Wittenberg, but his accents still ring through the churches of Christendom. John Brown was called a fanatic. Yet the principles and ideas which he upheld did not die with him at Harper's Ferry, but still go marching on. He who is successful in any great reform, whether moral or political, must expect to bear the name of a fanatic. Whoever becomes distinguished is sure to be a mark for the malicious spite of those who not deserving success, are galled by the merited triumph of the more worthy. C. L. S.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN WYOMING.
The editor of the Laramie, (Wyoming) Sentinel having received many inquiries about the results of woman suffrage in Wyoming, answers them all at once in an editorial: A smaller per centage of women than of men stay away from the polls; they are less persistent office-seekers than the men, but when elected to office they have in every case done their duty satisfactorily; they are accorded entire liberty of action—frequently a wife votes in opposition to her husband, and it has even happened that wives worked and voted for one ticket when their husbands were candidates on the other; but the Sentinel has "never known or heard of an instance of domestic infelicity growing out of a difference in political views between husband and wife;" on election days the polls which were formerly a revised edition of Donnybrook Fair, are now as orderly as the churches; women exercise their political rights without a sign of demoralization and their votes and influence have doubled the power of the better element.
THE NEW TARIFF.
The closing action of Congress in passing the tariff bill almost as it came from the tariff commission was as unlooked for as it was welcome. A number of the great industries of our country were in a state of feverish excitement and an adjournment without the desired action might have imperiled many branches of trade. Congress followed to a great extent the recommendations of the tariff commission, the principal departures being an advance on chemicals, liquors, a few luxuries and four classes of iron goods, and reductions on sugar, most manufactured iron, wool and other necessaries. A reduction in internal revenue was also added to the bill taking the tax off of matches, bank checks and deposits, and reducing the tax on tobacco. These changes almost without exception, will meet the approval of the people.
LITERARY.
AN OFF MORNING IN CHAPEL.
Although not greatly given to early rising,yet I sometimes manage to get into chapel at the first door. That is, on any morning save Friday; then I am always late. I know not why, but the fates seem averse to my presence at roll-call. But as this is not Friday I get in all right, find a seat back under the gallery and begin to look about me.
A. B. C. D.