The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-04-20

The show business Carried 10 an III
tseme BY University students.


f-emc by University students.
There Is a sentiment rapidly spread
ing and taking root In the minds OF the
alumni Of the different universities OF
this country aDtagonistic 10 the excess
sive amount Of show business In which
the students OF American institutions
OF learning arc permitted 10 indulge.
The feeling, says the Buffalo CONNER
eial, Is growing that the only legitimate
field for the exercise and exhibition of
the physical, intellectual and musical
accomplishments OF these young men Is
TO be found in the university athletic
grounds, the university theaters and
! society halls. In other words, the
alumni and n large body OF thoughtful
| people not directly connected with the
various seats OF learning arc coming TO
an agreement that the college youth Is
altogether too much in evidence outside
of the college yards, either for his own
good or the legitimate prestige OF his
particular alma mater.
OF course, the conditions under which
the rowing matches are held make the
selection on a somewhat retired and
neutral course like that at New London
fit and proper; but the football, like
the baseball matches, should be con-
fined TO college grounds, with tho
avowed intention Of reducing the num-
Der and improving the character Of the
spectators, reducing the expenses and
minimizing the publicity and spectacu-
lar features OF the competitions.
Another desirable result OF this policy
would be the elimination of most OF the
gambling and very demoralizing sport
ing" elements that inevitable gather
around events like the great football
matches that Gil the columns OF the
newspapers for several weeks every
autumn. Certainly the students them
selves would undergo less excitement
and suffer less distraction from their
Legitimate college work II the scale on
which their athletic rivalries are tested
were effectively reduced. When these
rivalries become matters of national
concern they naturally tend 20 become
dangerously intense and injurious TO
health and morals.
We think this policy OF restraint
should also be applied TO the practice
that has now become universal among
the colleges Of sending out troupes OF
young men organized as glee, banjo
and mandolin clubs TO give public per-
formances for money in the leading
cities during the holiday recess. These
lads travel about the country in special
cars, give ten or fifteen concerts in pub
lie halls and undergo succession OF
"social attentions" calculated 10 i'm
pair the constitutions Of seasoned men,
TO say nothing of immature youths who
are supposed 20 be resting and recuper-
ating from the strain Of three months
OF hard work at their lessons and lee
lures Essentially their performances
are not to be distinguished from tho
professional shows, and when they be-
come an annual affair they are as trio
some rs they are surely tax on the
good nature OF the local alumni, be-
sides being an unwholcsome experience
TO those who take part IN them.
We have heard that the authorities
at Harvard have served notice 10 the
glcc and banjo clubs of that university
that their present tour Is 20 be the last
one. IL is 10 be hoped that the report
Is well founded, and that the example
will be followed elsewhere, as Il de-
serves to be. Let the college youth at.
tend their colleges and be required TO
attend more exclusively ia their regu-
lar college business.