The O
University Weekly.
Editor-in-Chief. CHAS, HARKER RHODES.
Associates.{ } WILL R. MURPHY.
W. I. BRARTON.
Literary Editor. N. M. NCAUGHTON.
Local RAY CLIFORD.
Society HENRON WILLIAMS.
Athletic GENE SAIDER.
Business Manager J. M. RAADER.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
EXECUTIVE BOARD.
Myron L. Humphrey, Anna Warfield, J.
Schroeder, N. P. Sherwood, H. H. Tang-
man, C.A. Gardner, A. M. Seddon, C. L.
Robbins, C. H. Myers.
Entered at the Lawrence Postoffice as second-class mail matter.
Shares in the WEEKLY $1.00 each, entitling the holder to the paper two years, may be had of the Secretary and Treasurer, George Foster, the managing editor, or at the WEEKLY office.
Subscription price, 50 cents per annum in advance. Single copies 5 cents.
Address all communications to J. M. Rader, Business Manager, Lawrence, Kansas.
LAWRENCE, KAN., SAT. MAY, 10, 1902.
COLLEGE POLITICS.
The two leading political factions have decided upon a common candidate for editor-in-chief of this paper, and in consequence the election yesterday was a comparatively quiet affair. At the close of an important election we had thought it timely and proper to offer some comment on the processes and results of college politics.
With an enrollment of twelve hundred strong it is only natural that our student enterprises should assume prominence and importance. Even if the normal student could restrain his proneness to worldly emulations, nevertheless, the opportunity for resource, cunning and connivance would compel a political system. Then too, brains and ability alone have long since ceased to rank students among students. The more modern spirit has crept in. The idea of mental superiority calmly obtaining every position of trust is, in general indignantly repudiated by the up-to-date student body. There is rather gilded on every escutcheon the "prosy" phrase, "Only long poles land 'simmons.' And so in the strife for student honors, grades or scholarship have not been considered as exclusive essentials.
Further reasons for college politics are also obvious and valid. The importance of the enterprises themselves and the dignity and prominence attending their management naturally arouse competition. Moreover when ability is not always supreme and scholarship is often subordinated to push and "pull", organized politics is the natural result.
The necessity for organization is made further imperative by other reasons. To begin with, the social system is a great factor. The division of our student societies into "frat" and "barb" elements, in which the majority rests decidedly with the latter, renders, boss, machine, slate, and all the other devices of modern politics peremptory. Besides these social castes, there are inter-fraternity jealousies and hatreds to be considered. In order that these individual fraternities may secure representation in the political system, an organization, whether formal or assumed, is necessary. The boss thus developed is generally called
a "grafter," and may have secured his dominance by social position, native ability or gall.
Among the student body there are hundreds of indifferent drones who take little active interest in college politics. Just as in the outside world, this class is either too busy or too apathetic to take such an interest and is content to swayed by boss domination or to make individual selection of the candidates proposed. This is naturally the class the "grafters" seek to ally. Among the "frats," on the other hand, every man is constantly alive and alert for any office or any position that will secure for his brotherhood prestige and prominence. Indeed, were it not for this active unity, owing to the senseless antipathy that exists between "barb" and "frat," it would be difficult for the fraternities to secure any representation whatever. Aspiring men from the "barb" element, likewise, clique together for political manipulation, and it often occurs that there are secret understandings and agreements between the "barb and frat grafters."
The methods employed in student politics are sometimes simple and oftentimes involved. In general an inspiring "grafter" labors to place as many people under obligations to him as possible; surrounds himself with friends through cajolery or service, and augments his strength with conciliated rivals. Occasionally a "grafter" is found who strives for dictatorial power alone, but more often he has in view some coveted office.
Cajolery, coercion, constraint; wielded with crafty skill, are the tools of the politician. Persuasive eloquence counts for little at crucical junctures, even though a moral issue seems at stake, for the very atmosphere is charged with incredulity and wariness.
Without going into further detail as to the motive and movement of these contests, let us look into the possible benefits of college politics.
At the very outstart it is to be deplored that we should recognize a custom wherein membership in a fraternity renders one inelegible to elective students' honors. Some of our most capable men and women are members of social organizations, and a custom which debars them from active interest or management is indefensible, illogical, and works to the detriment of our enterprises. Until common sense and unselfishness combine to remove this unfortunate discrimination, there will be a tendency to propose inferior candidates, the power of the "grafters" will be strengthened, while modest ability lurks shackled in the background and the dignity of our offices is cheapened.
On the other hand, the presence of a student political system is wholesome and beneficial, first of all, because it is so practical. Since these contests are conducted outside of college jurisdiction and are essentially student, and further since they are not practice classes in book theory, but rather represent some tangible importance, new zest and livelier interest are awakened. By such keen, actual practice,
the way is paved for a larger field in active life. College politics, further, will be one of the things to draw our educated men into civil politics hereafter. For those who, as students, have felt the tingling excitement of politics in school, who experienced its strategems and workings will be more active in their outer civic duties. The far-reaching results that such a tendency would provoke alone justify the presence of political systems in college. Again, such politics develop shrewdness and keenness in plan and compromise. And, finally, it is of most immediate value to the University, for politics arouses a college spirit and is among the few things that mingles the student body on common footing.
We have a "knock." The May Pole scrap is not primarily intended for girls. It is waged among the boys. When girls wilfully interfere and attempt to liberate prisoners, they lay themselves liable to rough treatment. In such an event they have no right to wail against the ungentlemanliness of the student who prevents them from accomplishing their purpose. We boast of the loyalty of the girls and are proud that they chafe under the restraint that their sex imposes upon them; we lament that their sympathy, proffered silently and otherwise, is their only means of assistance. But if a flush of courage prompts them to active deed, in the event of detection, let them take their penalty with the same spirit of boldness that inspired their act. In other words, don't re-sex yourself. Apropos it is to be regretted that some contest is not introduced into the school in which the girls have equal opportunity to show their loyalty, valor and spirit.
The May Pole scrap is over and once more peace reigns along the Potomac. On the whole, we believe such contests beneficial to the University. Care, however, should be exercised by the participants, not to introduce any features into this annual event that might prove dangerous to life or limb. In the desire to win there seems to be a tendency, in a few instances, to put altogether too much seriousness upon the affair: The development of strategy, shrewdness and resourcefulness is one of the great benefits of these fights, but the classes should bear in mind that, after all, upon the issues of the battle depend no great causes, and conform their acts accordingly.
Only one sorority remains which has not subscribed to THE WEEKLY. The other two are now actively engaged in the political campaign and are identifying themselves with student enterprises. College spirit is not cultivated by isolation or engendered by self-interest. If loyalty to school and practical helpfulness do not prevail, policy alone should suggest a different plan of action.
The man who became lost in the heavy fog of last week was very much "mystified."
Since his last quarrel, Leslie is said to be quite abstemious.
Scraplets by Scriblette.
It is Sunday eve—at Chapter house, the mecca for serious cases. Parlor, porch, stairs and hall—every available sequestered nook is filled with amorous couples. To the kitchen are driven a couple who make up in fervor all deficiencies of age. Here they pre-empt a homestead and fence it in with the laundry rack. A friend chancing by, attempts to complete perfect isolation by leaning on the ironing board. "Oh—— does not need an ironing board to press his suit."
A young man from the short grass country went boating. By some mischance he, or rather the boat, was stranded on a sand-bar. After he had climbed out and pushed the boat off the young man discovered that he had lost an oar. Out he jumped to wade back and get this lost article. But, contrary to all expectations, the bed of the river was not as level as the surface of the water, and there was no solid footing where the young man struck and he found himself in the water about ten feet deep. In the excitement of the moment no one observed whether he swam out or, true to his short-grass training, went down until he found land and walked out on that.
A coy little K. U. lass played a joke on some girl friends. These latter retaliated by writing under an assumed signature that Mt. X, owing to sickness, would
be unable to make his usual call:
Miss Blank, in seriously consider
ing the situation, decided that
her affinity must be very ill if he
could not write the note himself,
and forthwith she began to
weep. After a profuse lachtymal
effusion, when her eyes were red
and swollen, the door bell rang
and the tardy Mr. X was ushered
in. Did she inquired the cause
of delay. No.
A Man in Authority comes Along and says, "You'd Better Improve your Property." Whereupon the Housefather hires a Colored Laborer at ice per Hour, who digs a Canal Righ in front of the Housefather's Domicile. The Rains come and People Wonder if the Kaw has a Tributary around Here, Or if the Housefather Means to start a Second Venice. Soon a Load of Cinders is Piled on the Lawn for Pedestrians to Walk Over when all The Gondolas are engaged. A Month later a A Few Brick-Bats are Dropped in the Vicinity, for People to Strike their Patent-Leathers Against, when They Can't Find a Big Cinder. A Few Pecks of Sand are Now Strewn Around, And One Fine Day, Thirty-Nine Days Later, When Balmy Spring has Come and gone, And When Summer makes Barrel-Hoops Out of Fence Pickets, And When the Weather Clerk Says He won't send any More Muddy Weather, Some Men Get to Work in Front of the House-Pather's House, and Throw These Ingredients Together And make a Lawrence Sidewalk.
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1
THE Kansas City Medical College Established 1859.
KANSAS CITY, MO
DIRECTORS
Officers of Faculty.
J. H, VAN EMAN, M. D., President,
W. C, TYNEH, M. D, Vice-President.
T. J, BATTIE, M. D, Secretary.
D. K, PORTER, M. D, Treasurer.
E. W, SCHAUFFLER, M. D.
ANDRW L. FULTON, M. D., DEAN.
ROBT, MCE. SCHAUFFLER, N. D., SECRETARY.
1103 Main Street.
Well known Lecturers.
Carefully conducted demonstrations aud Quiz classes.
New Pathological Saloratory with abundant opportunity for practical laboratory diagnosis.
New Operating Amphitheatre and Clinic Rooms in St. Joseph's Hospital.
Large Obstetrical Clinic with many opportunities for students to personally conduct cases.
Has graduated classes for over 30 years. Alumni well established throughout the West.
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