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Kansas University Weekly.
THE CONTEST at Topeka last Friday evening showed clearly that the University is not distinguishing itself in oratory. Rather than be defeated annually by a number of minor colleges, would it not be better to withdraw from the state oratorical association? The president of the local oratorical association is in receipt of a letter from the state universities of Nebraska and Dakota asking our University to join in an oratorical league with them and the state universities of Missouri, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota. Whether we should be members of any association of the kind is of course the question.
THE LARGE majority of students in the University who are not taking a technical course have in view for themselves in future years a professional life. The practice of law attracts many students although not so many as a few years ago. Journalism is now finding greater favor than ever before. The bright, sociable, energetic journalist, has, indeed, probably more influence in every day affairs than any one else. He wields a free lance and woe to the injustice or wrong which comes to his notice. A number of students study medicine, or are prepairing to enter the ministry after leaving the University. It is very well to study medicine, law and such professional branches, but why is the field of business almost entirely neglected? We venture to assert that there are not twenty-five students in the School of Arts who look forward to a business career. Why is this? Does education unfit one for business, or is the educated man above becoming a business man. Commerce rules the financial world and certainly finance is not to be disregarded. Moreover, the greatest philanthropists of the United states and Europe have been men of business. Great wealth for benefactions can as a rule be obtained only through business channels. If a capable, energetic, educated man enters the business world, his chances for success in life are probably better than those of the journalist, doctor or lawyer.
AN INSTRUCTOR in the University said the other day that a few of the students in his classes had the courage and good sense to call him Mr.
WHAT is necessary in the make up of a winning oration in a state oratorical contest? One judge on thought and composition gave the the young man from Winfield first place while another gave him seventh.
THE HABIT of some University girls of wearing their hats in class is very discourteous to the other members of the class to say the least. This gives the impression that the recitation is merely incidental and worthy of but a few minutes' attention.
THAT THE University has sufficient talent to write editorials for a dozen college papers is shown by the following samples written in about five minutes by members of the Advanced English Composition class—and without previous notice.
It is with pardonable pride that our University notices the loyalty of her graduate students. This loyalty has seldom been better shown than in the offer of a prize by Messrs. Barteau, Burnett and Thacher, of New York city, for the best essay written by a University student upon some literary topic. The gentlemen intend to make the prize an annual one; and their interest in the literary work of this institution is fully appreciated. H.M.
THE STATE oratorical contest for 1896 is now a thing of the past, so far as the State University is concerned. We have met the enemy and have again been compelled to bow to the intelligence and superior ability of various schools throughout the State. Already some are beginniug to say: "Let us withdraw: we don't want to remain with the Oratorical Association." We must say that in the present state of affairs such a statement is the climax of absurdity. We have laughed at the smaller schools on every occasion and yet when we are brought into contest with them in oratory invariably we have to carry the ragged end of the colors. We cannot withdraw in defeat. Pride compels us to remain until we can produce a winning orator. Then it will be possible for us to withdraw gracefully. A.A.E.