48
Kansas University Weekly.
work by Eastern authorities. We want to be known in the East for what we are.
THE INCLEMENT and disagreeable weather of the past few weeks has forced upon our attention the crying need of better approaches to the University. At the best the ascent of the hill is a toilsome operation, without having the difficulties aggravated by poor sidewalks and worse crossings. With the roads in their present condition of mud and slush, good crossings are more than a mere comfort, they are almost a necessity. A majority of the students climb the hill on Adams street, which is the great University thoroughfare; and here all the crossings are in a very bad condition. Especially is this true of the one at the intersection of Tennessee and Adams streets, where a person can cross only at the imminent risk of losing his rubbers and bespattering his clothes. It would cost the city but little to put in good crossings on this one street at least, and it would add very materially to the comfort of a class of people who are of considerable importance in Lawrence. Let us have good crossings!
THE WELCOME news has been received that the ways-and means committee of the senate has recommended for passage, the bill appropriating $100,000 a year for the current expenses of the State University. Now we will all be in a state of suspense until this measure finally passes the Senate and the lower House and becomes a law. The most important interests hang on this bill. While we do need a new Chemistry building very badly we can manage to worry along another two years without it. But a cut of $50, 000 in our yearly appropriation, such as the House bill proposes, would be a disaster from which it would take the University years to recover. It would mean a general reduction in salaries, and in consequence we would lose some of our best Professors. Retrenchments would have to be made in every department, and the whole institution would be crippled in its working efficiency. The reason for this vital attack on the University is principally ignorance. The legislators are unaware of the
amount of work being done here, of our needs and of the amount of money needed to run an institution of this character. With great wisdom a number of them have been invited down to inspect the University at various times during the past few months; and we hope that this series of visits will result in permanent good to our Alma Mater.
THE STATE Oratorical Contest will take place in Topeka, Feb. 26th. A strong effort is being made to induce a large crowd of our students to attend. This is as it should be. So long as we are members of the association we should attend the annual contest in full force. This year there is a special reason for a good attendance. The chances are very favorable that we will win first place. We have a good man to represent us, and one who, we are sure, will do us credit in any case. But no man can do his best with but feeble or luke-warm support. Therefore the students of the University should attend in a large and enthusiastic crowd, prepared to cheer their orator on to victory. But with this a caution is needed. With all our fun and enthusiasm let there be no acts of lawlessness or rowdyism. Every year scenes of this kind have taken place, and the reputation of the University has suffered severely in consequence. And with a flush of shame we have to acknowledge that we very seldom take a place in the contest. The other colleges point the finger of derision and say that the University boys can beat them in rows and fights but that they cannot beat them in oratory. This year we should reverse this and assume the position which is really ours. Especially let nothing be done to bring reproach upon the name of the University just now when the eyes of the State are turned upon her.
"My boy, you are weary and wan,
You are working too hard with your Greek,
To try from construction obscure
Some plausible meaning to seek."
"No, no!" he wearily said,
"The meaning I plainly can see,
But I'm worn out trying to make
The text and the pony agree."—Ex.