of this institution to-day as capable of giving
as good an entertainment as the ones six years
ago ? A comparison of numbers would say
"yes, and far better," the trouble lies with the
society - men themselves. They have let first
one outside influence and then another keep
them from attending the meetings regularly.
Member after member became neglectful until
the meetings are no longer of interest to Oilier
members or visitors. Thus matters have gone
from bad to worse and now something must be
clone. if necessary the meetings could be held
on Saturday, instead of Friday evening, but it
is evident to all that the societies will either
have to be abandoned or a reform immediately in•
stituted. Every student should ask if he can
afford. to let the influence of the societies die
out ; Is it best for my fellow students and for
the institution ? A few minutes thought upon
this question ought to bring about a resolve
that next September will find every man de
termined to do his share, and as a consequence
the society halls will be crowded and their roll
books completed.
* * :I
THE summer school at State is now a reality
and as to whether it is a fixture, time
alone can tell. As to its being a reality,
that can be testified to by the many students
whom it has compelled to remain at college for
two weeks after commencement, and in the hot
test part of the year to work at the hardest
kind of manual labor for eight and one half
hours a day. The reason that it strikes a stu
dent doubly hard is the consequent reaction
from the gayeties of a commencement week,
from the height of enjoyment and recreation to
the hardest and meanest kind of work. But
even the worst of things has its end, and it is
to be hoped we will get home, together with our
long-sessioned normal schools, in due time to
celebrate the Fourth of July. . .
THE FREE LANCE.
ANY change in address of any of the alum_
ni who subscribe for the LANCE should
be sent immediately to the business
manager. This is the only way to insure the
certainty of getting the paper and should al
ways be carried out. it has heretofore been
the custom and if adhered to will save a great .
deal of trouble.
POPULAR EDUCATION IN CITIZEN
SHIP.
"Civil and religious liberty in this country
can be preserved only through the agency of
our political institutions. But these institutions
alone will not suffice. It is not the ship so much
as the. skillful sailing that assures the prosper •
ous voyage ;" said George William Curtis in
his address on the "Public Duty of Educated
Men."
What do we mean by "Popular Education ?"
By "Popular Education" we do not mean the
more advanced• studies leading to an acade tu•
ical degree but we do mean such an educa
tion as may be obtained in our public schools
and academies.
Too many of these • institutions limit their
curriculi. to the common branches, leaving
some of the studies with which the younger
generation should. be familiar to be tangle in
our colleges and universities.. Knowing this
we are compelled to admit that .Popular Edu
cation .has nt,t accomplished the purpose for
which it was intended. Too few of the younger
generation are taught those elements which are
indispensable in good citizenship. This knowl
edge should not be confined to the few who
purpose entering into politics ; every voter
should have a thorough understanding of the
methods .of conducting our national, state and
local governments.
A voter's duty does not begin at the polls on
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JUNIOR PRIZE ORATION.