all over the country, and of its reading rooms and
gymnasiums which furnish entertainment for thous
ands of men, both young and old. The members
of its numerous committees .devote their lives and
energies to the development of this association;
Their time is spent in the formation of new socie
ties and in visiting and encouraging those already
organized. In this way the society keeps well
abreast of its work, and permits of no op!: ortunity
for mistakes. One of the chief attractions of the
Y. M. C. A. is the straight-forward, systematic
way, in which it does its work. In college or uni
versity, in town or city strangers are always wel
comed by its members. It is next to impossible
to visit any town in the United States without see
ing the familiar sign "Y. M. C. A. Reading
Rooms." And there one always meets with a
pleasant welcome from cheery, hearty fellows
who spend many of their loafing hours in these.
tasty rooms. In the larger cities and at many
universities, handsome buildings may be found
entirely devoted to the association; buildings
which have cost thousands of dollars and which
reflect credit Upon this organization.
That the Y.- M. C. A. is a society which greatly
benefits the youth of this country is beyond dis
pute, and that it is so considered by the masses is
evident from its popularity and growth. "'At least
one reason for its success may be found in the fact
that it strives to attain its objects by earnest effort
and good example.
:it
* *
AFTER considerable delay, due to some ir
regularity in the proceedings of the Inter
collegiate Association, it was decided that
State should have the May meet. Our delegate
and the members of the executive committee rep
resenting us worked hard to secure .tlie meet for
us, and the students should show their apprecia
tion by doing all that lies in their power to make
the meet a grand success. Last year Swarth
more had the meet and won the first place. Can
of State do as well this year ?. Every man who
THE FREE LANCE.
has the ability to enter any of the events should
go out and train.
Do not think that because you can not make
first place there is no .use in trying, for the sec
onds and thirds are just as essential to success as
are the firsts. Last year we had plenty of firsts,•
but no entries for second and third places. This
year it should be different, State should be repre
sented by the full number of men in every event.
And then one thing which every one should
bear in mind, is that the association can not carry
out its plans without finances. Every man who
has not paid his dues to the association, should
find means to pay them immediately. If you can
not be of any practicable advantage, do not allow
your negligence to be detrimental to the cause of
•
athletics.
PUBLIC opinion in regard to a college is in
fluenced to a great extent by the character
of the musical clubs and athletic teams
which represent it. Such being the case the
managers can not be too careful in looking after
the affairs of the different organizations. And
this applies with special force to athletics.
Too often the management has recourse to any
method that will temporarily strengthen the let,m,
without considering the effect which such a meth
od, if generally carried out, would produce in the
field of college athletics, and with Out concern as
to whether the means employed will meet with
the approbation of the student body.
It is but right that the management should
work for the success of the team, but a success se
cured by other than straightforward methods, , is
at the best but a failure.
Whatever blame may rest upon team managers
for the abuses in college athletics, the students as
a whole, are responsible for the conditions that
exist. .When the sentiment of the student body is
expressed in favor of straightforward dealings in
all matters pertaining. to athletics, the manage
ment must of a necessity fall into line with such
sentiment.