away from literary effort, caused a loss of interest in, and a
final extinction of these societies.
Then for a few years there were no literary societies and
all attempts to maintain even one proved abortive. Now,
however, signs of better days are evident. Since Professor
Pattee’s accession to the head of the English Department
systematic effort has been directed toward the production
and maintenance of an interest in literary work in general
and in debating in particular.
Inter-collegiate debates have been held each year for the
last four years, two being held last year. Debates are regu
larly scheduled for Juniors, Inter-class debates are a
probability of the near future, the prize to the winning team
being $3O, offered by Dr. Atherton. A debating club is
thoroughly organized and in good working order. Each new
class brings a larger proportion of men who are interested
in this line of work. Students taking technical courses are
beginning to see that in order to be really successful they
must be able not only to build a machine but also to explain
its mechanism to others.
The outlook for the present college year is bright. The
old men have returned ready for hard work, new men are
coming in, negotiations for two inter-collegiate debates are
under way, and one of the new instructors has been assigned
to this line of work. Let every man do his best.
“State” can now boast of one of the finest gymnasiums
in’the state. Ever since the arrival of Mr. Golden the gym
has been steadily on the improve.' During the summer ■ a
new dressing room was fitted up in the basement and the
following apparatus provided: Abdominal and tumbling
mats, floor parallels, wrist, ankle, high and low leg ma
chines, suspended parallels and iron dumb bells ranging
from five to fifty pounds.
THE GYM.
F. H. T.