The Free lance. (State College, Pa.) 1887-1904, June 01, 1894, Image 7
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 ==== JUNIOR PRIZE ORATION.