St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-12

There are, -four debating societies in full
operation in the state university this term.
The senior society is the OutgrOwth of the
political economy class of last term. and
the sSbjects are mostly taken from this sci
ence The thorough discussions of funda-
mental questions which are carried on there
are of great advantage. The sOphs fresh
and subs also have each a debating club
which inquiries into various subjects. The
work in these societies is perfectly vOlun-
tary, and furnishes. to quote the Calendar,
''much-priZed opportunity for practice in
extemporaneous speaking" 1t is here
that the orators who represent the
university in the inter state OratOrcal con-
tests do their training. The general lack
of interest felt at the university in the lit
erary societies is a subject of much discus
sion among the students and many eXpla-
nations are given. Some lay it to the fra
ternities, others to lack of time caused by
the increased work at the university.
~
The new system of having four studies
term instead of three for the higher classes
NAV now be said to have had fair trial.
Under the old curriculum there were sew
eral subjects left out which were very eSSen-
tial and it was to remedy this that change
was made. This change requires the stu
dents to do more work than formerly, al
though the recitation hours for each study
were shortened so that only one more hour
per week is added. Some of the professors
| require as much ground to be covered with
| four recitations a week as with five. but the
student is able only to do certain amount,
and some subjects are gone over very SUI
perfically. SiXty-five recitatiOns is small
enough time anyway to devote to such a
study as English literature. yet this was cut
| down to fifty-twO. and, as a result, only
| about four-fifths of the work was done
which ought to have been done.
| -
Room for the addition of studies to the
| old curriculum might have been obtained
| i'm another way; that is, by raising the re-
! quirements for entrance and compelling
more work to be done at the preparatory
schools. This is especially so in the
classical course, where the requirements
in the classics are below by almost year
the leading Eastern colleges. Another
place where the curriculum might be i'm
proved is in the engineering course. The
requirement of so much literary work
in the lower classes of this course is
a mistake. 1t has caused several students.
sary engineering knowledge, to take special
courses. and it also uses great deal of
time which might very proftably be de-
voted to something else. The literary
| course is very popular and the number who
take it are increasing year by year.
~
Glass activity has shown itself during the
past week by several meetings of the sophie
mores. They kept the reason very quiet,
but it can be inferred that class social
will soon occur. and the secrecy
is the result of bitter experience.
Following the lead of many other eminen t
bodies the seniors struck. The cause wa s
that their seats in chapel are in such place
that the sun pours down its rays on them
unimpeded by curtains or any excuse for
them. Many of the seniors ahsented them
selves from chapel until the faculty should
provide them some protection against haV-
ing their har faded or other such calami-
ties. Wednesday morning, much to the
establishment of the seniors, there were
curtains on the junior side but none
for them. The president explained
that this was mistake and would be recti
fed immediately, SO now harmony is re-
stored aud the religious exercises are made
more dgnified by the presence OF the entire
senior class. The Inconvenience of the ex-