we trust that they will by the opening of our
next college year secure the services of an
instructor.
THAT certain non-society members should
have so far fogotten all sense of propri
ety and decency toward the property of the
literary societies is indeed unpardonable.
The societies have always been willing and
glad to open their doors to all students, and
especially to non-members, but when these
men went so far, were so thoughtless as to
injure and often destroy the papers, magazines
and furniture, to use the piano, to dance in
the hall and to make the reading-rooms a place
for loafing, the societies were finally, for their
own protection, forced to exclude them from
all the privileges and benefits to be found in
their reading-rooms. The societies always
want their halls to have a nice and attractive
appearance especially as they often have
friends and visitors to inspect them. This
they cannot do if a few thoughtless ones per
sist in destroying everything possible.
We are sorry that the societies were com
pelled to take such action, but it was the only
course left for them to pursue. It is to be
hoped that these men may be led to appreci
ate the advantages and benefits they have
forfeited by their own actions and that they'
will reform. If this is accomplished we feel
sure that the societies will extend to them
all former privileges.
WI4EN we consider that but two or three
years have passed since our college
first entered actively into athletics, we deem
our records decidedly creditable and encour
aging—foot-ball with Lehigh excepted,
THE FREE LANCE.
4
*
In base-ball the coming season promises to
excel that of any other. With thirty men in
training surely we will be able to pick nine
men who will bring good additions to our
record. At the opening of this term active
field practice should be commenced and main
tained. During the past years but little work
has been done until within a few days of the
first scheduled game, and though our men
have generally overcome the disadvantages
coming from such management, it must be
remembered, that our competitors are stronger
than formerly and that we can no longer
afford such poor training. All depends upon
good rigid management to make this a success
ful season ; the students will give their sup
port and the men will do their best.
WE are pleased to note the overthrow of
the ancient and much maligned "Cen
sure Mark" system. With the beginning of
this term there is inaugurated a definite and
more liberal government. A 'firm belief that
a student may be given a certain amount of
liberty with advantage rather than harm
leads us to predict permanent success for the
new system.
Much has been written in condemnation of
rules which compel attendance at chapel exer
cises, or even at recitations. Much likewise'
has been said (by themselves) of the wisdom
of higher classmen and their ability to decide
what they should and should not attend
But does this ability imply that they will
necessarily follow as their judgment points ?
Purely voluntary attendance may be success
ful under some circumstances, for graduate
students, or when the age. of students makes