runs its bounds and commits deeds of vio
lence and lawlessness, it should be promptly
and firmly curbed and suppressed within its
proper limits ; but, at the same time, this
should be done in such a way as not to
destroy its vitality or hurt it in such a way
as to rob it of its usefulness.
In the present case, that violence was
committed by the Sophomore class in break
ing into rooms and removing and damaging
articles of furniture is undeniable. That
they should be obliged to pay the full cost of
the same, as they did, and that, in addition,
they should be obliged to feel the full ex
tremity of college authority and law, is per
fectly justifiable; but that, notwithstanding
all this they are called upon to sign a paper
•in which they agree not to engage in any class
disorder, under penalty of suspension, allow
ing the Faculty to put its own interpretation
upon what is meant by class disorder, is a
purely arbitrary and unreasonable proceeding.
In the case of the Freshmen the unreason
ableness is more palpable still. Freshmen
in all colleges are recognized as being
allowed some laxity in their class conduct in
comparison with that of the other classes.
It is impossible to bring men into college
from all the varying scenes and degrees of
life and cause them to settle at once into the
dull routine of study with the calm serenity
of seniors, alike oblivious to the jeers and
insults of the Sophomores and taunting es
capades of preparatory students. Yet in this
example we see the Freshmen put under the
same restraint as the Sophomores, with the
same arbitrary power of the interpretation of
offence and consequent punishment by the
Faculty.
The paper in both cases was signed under
protest and with the constant menace hung
over their heads of the expulsion of certain
men if the request was not acceded to. It
was held out as an only alternative. What
else could be done ? The moral sense and
THE FREE LANCE.
the sense of all justice of the student
rebelled, but it was unavoidable. Such a
signature could not be held in any court in
the country. If a student is suspended, he is
suspended whether his class sign an agree
ment or not, and under no moral law can a
man be held to an agreement such as this.
Surely, in all justice and rectitude, this is no
way of dealing with college students.
SINCE the improvements in the middle
wing of the main building have been
made, and the halls widened out and thor
oughly lighted, the extra room in the hallway
has been used for storage purposes.
The appropriation was intended to beautify
the halls and it has been properly expended,
but of what benefit is it to have the hallways
made attractive when their beauty is always
kept concealed by a lot of boxes, tables and
other rubbish.
The first thing that meets the' eye of a
stranger on coming into the building is a
great pile of old boxes. Can we expect them
to make a favorable impression on anybody?
OUR engineering, chemistry and electro
technics courses now hold out better
inducements to students than any others in
the . college curriculum. Besideg being very
completely equipped both as to instructors
and apparatus, the chances for obtaining a
position in one of these three lines of work
are far better than those of a man who has
taken a classical course. However, a man who
takes the classical course at college generally
has his work definitely mapped out before
entrance and fits himself to fill some known
vocation, such as law, pedagogy, etc., which
are within the reach of everyone who is capa
ble of holding them, while the scientific man,
though thoroughly qualified to become a
chemist, an electrician or an engineer, is to a