Among us there are many who have the opinion that we, as
students of a technical school, have no use for rhetoricals, debates
and the like, and that the time given to “spouts” and debates is a
sheer waste of time. While a technical education does not directly
include any classical training, it can’t be denied that every college
bred man should be able to address an audience of any size with
out becoming confused. The Lafayette for January 29th says
the following:
Because the college man is living in the midst of
exceptional advantages, there seems to be a strong
tendency for him to allow many of the opportunities
for self-improvement, which the college offers, to go
by without grasping them. Probably the majority
of the fellows who neglect the work of the literary
societies do not realize their loss while they are in
college. But there are many who, soon after they
graduate, would give a good deal to be able to think
clearly and speak forcibly on their feet on some oc
casion that means much to them. A college gradu
ate,. whether a technical man, or a professional or
business man, ought to be able to express himself
before a company of his fellow men in good English
and without embarrassment. He cannot do this un
less he has had some practice, and the place to get
that practice is in the literary halls while he is in
college.
From the Dartmouth magazine we are always sure to get at
least one conti lbution to our exchange column. The number of
this month is no exception. In an article entitled “In General,”
the wiiter tells us about the increase of the democratic spirit,
among college students. He goes on to say:
To. the surface observer, good fellowship is of
questionable importance in college life; and were