IN another part of the LANCE, will be found a
communication from an Alumnus on the sub
ject of newspaper correspondents here at the
college. Owing to the fact of its having just been
received, we have not the time to make the com
ment which it deserves. It embodies several ideas,
big with possibility, and it is our purpose to take
up the suggestions in detail in our next issue and
try to start the movement so that it will be in full
working order by the beginning of next fall term.
It is a lamentable fact that our representation in
the large dailies is not what it should be or has
been, and any scheme for its betterment and ex
tension should be given our hearty consideration.
THE FREE LANCE is essentially the students or
gan. It should voice the opinions, not of
the editors merely, but of the whole student
body and the alumni also, if they would be willing
to give their views. It is also a FREE LANCE—a
lance that may be called upon by any one in the
cause of right and justice. If the students or the
aluMni have just cause for grievance,. its pages are
always open to them. In fact,. they are asked to
avail themselves of the privilege. Let us have
discussion and plenty of it on topics of interest to
the students. A little more discussion on,meas
tires taken by the students might do a great deal
of good. Meanwhile, the rew management will
endeavor to keep the FREE LANCE, free in fact as
well is in name and even ready to do its best to
correct a wrong.
A SUGGESTION.
• The recent false newspaper stories depicting
in severe language the breaking up of a religious
meeting by forty of State's students, probably at
tracted more attention, owing to wide diffusion
as sensational matter and editorials called forth,
than did the notable dedication of the Engineer
ing hall. The act out of which the reports grew,
while it was disgraceful, was far from orginating
THE FREE LANCE.
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out of a spirit which had an utter disregard of
religious worship.
However, the entire matter suggests forcibly an
action made necessary at thisstage of our college's
advancement for the institutions good ; we refer
to the controlling and the dissemination of all
college news by those actirely associated with the
college, thus giving to the public only such news
as is legitimate and authentic. This. would pre
vent the fabrication of reports injurious to the in
stitution for the mere sake of a story, created by
an over-anxious newsgatherer. The indiscreet
actions of a few would not be given as a stigma
upon the character of all students.
Each great daily should be provided with acor.
respondent known to those in control of the in
stitution, so that the writer may be held account
able and in order that improvements real and
contemplated in each department may be made
known through the press. Even if some papers
will take little or no correspondence send what
they will take carefully written, and the college
will grow in their particular favor and thence in
that of their readers. All papers will accept the
essence of news at all times.
Particularly the State papers should be furnish.
ed with copy. Each student comes from a town
or county having its papers and each student
should personally see that their local papers g(.t •
items of real news concerning his alma mater.
Even if two or more students send to the same
paper identical items, better that than none, as it
will impress the editor with its importance and at
least elicit interest and respect for the institution
which creates such pride in its students. •
How shall we place in active operation the sug
gestions made? Probably, a newspaper board
elected by the body of the students including the
present correspondents would be the thing.
Probably, a "press club," of voluntary member
ship Would be superior. The duty of either of
these bodies being to see that each paper which
should receive news receives it. To accomplish
anything of value implies labor and that • which has