verdict is that a half-dozen of orations with
two or three dry, technical theses, constitute a
tiresome programme for commencement morn
ing. A commencement address by some
prominent man would be much more accept
able. Such an exercise for next June is the
proposition of the class of ’B9, and in this pro
position they are in accord with the oft-repeat
ed sentiment of the body of the students.
Not only arc the students in favor of this, but
the idea must commend itself to all who
attend the exercises of commencement week,
since the class can furnish a more pleasant
programme upon the occasion of class day
than as now upon commencement day, while
at the same time an address on graduating day
as suggested would give visitors and all a
treat, Moreover, the size of the present senior
class is such as to make a programme for
graduation day in which all members of the
class arc represented almost unbearable; yet
the number is so few as to make the mem
bers unwilling to appear upon a programme
which would require perhaps the half of the
class while the other half would sit back.
There are too many for all to appear, though
not enough to make it desirable to elect rep
resentatives. If it is maintained that the ex
position given by the class upon commence
ment morning under the present regime is
desirable as indicating to patrons of the col
lege the character and extent of the work done
in our courses of study, we answer that we
can not be persuaded that our Alma Mater
needs this poor advertisement.
* * *
ONE of our leading state colleges has
adopted the plan of having Monday
instead of Saturday as their weekly holiday.
At first thought this would seem to be an
inappropriate arrangement of a week’s work;
but, when the scheme has been put to trial, it is
said to effect a needed improvement. It is
one of the most common things to hear
students speak of “blue Monday,” as if this,
THE FREE LANCE.
more than any other day of the week, were
ill-favored and opposed to his honest endea
vors. There may be naught but truth in the
statement that Monday is a blank upon the
student’s calendar; but true or not, it all comes
from lack of preparation, and this chiefly from
•lack of opportunity. Saturday, under the gen
erally existing system, is the one day spent
in recreation if not in the completion of some
work that has been allowed to drag during the
week. In very few instances do the recitations
for Monday receive the attention which is given
to those of any other day, If the work be al
lowed to pass over Saturday, what time is
there remaining for such needed preparation?
Surely no preparation upon the Sabbath is
ever justifiable. No student can honestly
allow himself to commit such a wrong as to
make up upon the Sabbath his neglect of
other days. But the temptation is great, and
experience with students will lead us to
believe that there are some who have just
such a careless and thoughtless make-up.
The scheme mentioned, and now being tried
in different colleges, can do away with this by
having Monday's work done at the close,
instead of at the beginning of the school
week. In this lies its greatest and most strik
ing benefit.
THIS institution is to be congratulated
upon the success of the engineering
department. While the courses in Mechani
cal Engineering and Electrotechnics were but
recently established, they have satisfied de
mands made in that direction and have so far
proven to be a success. It is understood that
the course in Electrotechnics is to give way to
a regular course in electrical engineering, as
soon as the facilities of the college become
great enough. The facilities for teaching
mechanical engineering are gradually becom
ing better each year. The facilities for teachr
ing civil engineering are now very good.
We now think it in season to encourage the