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Kansas University Weekly.
INTEREST in minor University affairs is suspended to be revived, we suppose, after the passage of the appropriation bill. Not long ago there appeared in the Kansas City Journal a comparative statement of University appropriations and expenses in various states. To the reader whose acquaintance with Kansas University is extensive enough to enable him to appreciate its excellence the comparison is doubly convincing. For he learns, perhaps to his surprise, that for the last year the actual expense of maintaining a state university in Kansas was less than the amount of money used for a like purpose in any of the neighboring states. He is convinced that University affairs have been ably managed. But, he finds, also, that this strict economy in management is a matter of dire necessity—in other words, that university appropriations heretofore have been inadequate. He is now convinced that some how, somewhere there is a serious misunderstanding. Well, he is right in both of his convictions. If the legislators of this state could only put themselves into our places for a short time; if we could but give them guaranty of the fulfillment of our extravagant dreams as to the future greatness of this state evidenced in the prominence of its chief educational institution; if we could only show them that our welfare is the welfare of the state; our success, its glory: if all this could be done, we might feel sure of maintaining the height to which we have already attained.
KANSAS UNIVERSITY has had a hard struggle from its beginning. Its early history may be gathered from the biographies of a few noble men; its later history is largely the record of sacrifices and denials on the part of its professors. What wonder that the men who have been so instrumental in the rise of the University are now so vitally concerned in any event which points to its decline. What wonder that they are so hearty and unreserved in their support of the Appropration Bill as introduced by Rep. Hackney. Perhaps we at the University are not altogether unselfish in our wishes and expressions relative to financial arrangements for
the next school year; and in the enjoyment of a supersensual wealth, are apt to forget the actual poverty of the state,-the plentiful lack of cash which enforces economy and denial in the management of all its departments. But, we are sincere in the belief that our petitions have been reasonable, and hardly think that our persistency in pressing them could have been engendered of mere selfishness. Viewed from purely a business standpoint it is plain that money spent in the upbuilding of a state educational institution is capital well invested.
IN OUR effort to make the WEEKLY thoroughly representative of college life we need the active support of all connected with the University. Contributions of a literary, local or editorial nature are earnestly solicited. In the way of encouraging literary attempts the English Department gladly credits all articles which receive publication in the WEEKLY in substitution for theme and thesis work. We ask the students to give us the benefit of that department's generosity.
FINANCIALLY, THE last foot-ball season seems to have been generally disastrous. Contemplation of this and of the additional fact that very few of the insolvent athletic associations throughout the colleges seem to be discouraged with the foot-ball outlook for next year, should be in some degree a source of comfort and hope to anxious managers and patrons of the game here at home. In our own league Iowa is in a worse predicament than we. The S. U. I. faculty has intervened to forbid further pursuit of athletics until the indebtedness already incurred thereby shall have been lifted. And yet, even Iowa begins to plan for spring meets and for base-ball. In our own case it is our financial situation alone that endangers athletics; at the University of Iowa matters are considerably worse,—there both interest and money are lacking. They attribute this lack of interest to the defective organization of their association; might not we account for our perilous financial condition in a like manner? Per-