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UNIVERSITY COURIER.
infinite amount of good. Although we fully recognize the inability of our students to support two perfect college papers, we are not sorry for the course the Courier Company has taken. We know that in "Union there is strength," but it is entirely out of the question for the members of the old Collegiate Company to endeavor to affiliate themselves with the members of the Courier. Certain students and tutors have, during the past two weeks, circulated a paper to the effect that the Courier Company had consolidated with the Collegiate Company. This paper was signed by the Chancellor. We do not know how this signature was obtained, but as the Courier Company never did consolidate, it consequently must have been obtained by misrepresentations on the part of these students. The Courier Company of last year, was by their articles of agreement dissolved in June last, and even if it had been in existence at the meeting held on September 16th, there was no quorum present, and consequently no legitimate business could have been transacted. But it would consume too much space to show how utterly regardless of all the principles of honor, certain prominent students have been. We could give many reasons why the Faculty should remain neutral as far as support is concerned. A person of even ordinary common sense can see that a consolidation would be impossible. The very aim of the Courier was to establish a paper that would represent the interests of our University, and although its first year of existence is just past, we feel that we have met with at least partial success. Who with the interest of the paper at heart, would wish to join with a crowd of imitators, who were only kept afloat last year by aid from the Faculty. The present Courier Company feel satisfied that they have the ability, energy and money to conduct a paper that will be a fair exponent of student thought in our University.
ATHLETICS.
In looking over the columns of one of our exchanges, we happened to meet with an article entitled : "Athletics at Amherst and Elsewhere."
As we read of the various gymnastic exercises in different colleges, we could not help wondering at the total neglect this important branch of culture receives in the University of Kansas. Our college has been in existence thirteen years, and with the exception of the organization known as the "Cadets," there has never been an attempt to establish what is called in eastern colleges, "A department of physical education and hygiene." We know that such a department would require some outlay of money, but the expenditure would be fully compensated by the amount of good obtained. It is absolutely shameful that a University of four or five hundred students should be without a gymnasium of some kind. The rooms in our University are not so fully occupied that there would be lack of space. In fact, there are several rooms that could be fitted up, and which would answer the purpose very well, until a permanent building could be erected. But there seems to be something lacking in the students. They do not apparently have the time or inclination to indulge in physical culture of any kind. It seems to us that this is owing partly to the manner in which studies are crowded in our University, and partly to a total lack of regard as far as athletic exercises are concerned. During commencement, in last June, a few students more enterprising than usual, succeeded in having a few athletic sports. Those who were present can testify to the poorness of the attempts and the slim attendance. There had been no preparation and consequently the exercises were not first-class. But we could not expect anything better, because we have no gymnasium in which to practice. Having the room, we cannot see why one or more of them could not be fitted up with a supply of gymnastic apparatus in the shape of Indian clubs, bars, ropes, bells, gloves, etc. The expense would be small, and the money could be obtained by subscription and from the general fund. We know that there are a great many ways in which the money appropriated for general purposes can be used, but we are unable to see a better way for starting a gymnasium. The exercises should be compulsory for the preparatory students and for the Freshmen and Sophomores. The amount of time required should be one-half hour each school day, and in order to give the work in the gymnasium tone, the work should be recognized by marks. This would bring out those who need exercise most, and they would be all the more eager on this account. As in all other college gymnasiums the work should be light; the main object not being to secure powerful muscle, but to keep in good order the whole system. There are many things which could be said on this subject. Compulsory exercise seems to work exceedingly well in other colleges, and it would be the same in the Kansas State University, if we had a gymnasium. "Figures do not lie." The following statistics may prove interesting: At Amherst, during the years 1877-78, there was an average daily attend