Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-11-08

whisky for his good. I had some repu-
tation as an advocate of temperance
even at that early day. Mr.. Miller was
wont to claim that he was a better
temperance man than I was, for he
was doing all he could to get The liq-
nor out of the way by drinking it up,
while | would do nothing for the cause
In that practical way"
There is some history in this:
At the fall election of 1857 Mr.. Hast
ings was elected state treasurer
Though he had originally been a can
didate for the Office of secretary of
urership was the large ond the treasur-
state. His great objection to the treas
urership was the large bond the treas
urer was obliged to give. In spite of
his unwillingness TO be d candidate,
Hon. John =. Potter, one of Wiscon-
sins noblest sons, who recently died
at his home in Walworth county, NOM
mated him, and Mr.. Hastings was
elected When | realized that | was
elected. visions of that awful 5000 900
bond forced themselves upon my atten-
ton and troubled me day and night |
could think of no II / would be will.
ing TO ask to go upon n bond for S10,-
900, or even for a single 1000. While
In this distressed state of mind. / re-
ceived q letter from n of the pfomi-
nent citizens of Lacrosse U was then
living Mt Trempealeau), requesting me
to send him q blank form of the bond
| was required to give as state treasur-
er, aud then added that my old neigh
bors had decided to furnish the bond
Nj. Hastings was reelected three
times and served during the war. He
is an active Congregationalist and his
picture hangs upon the walls of the
old First church in Madison, of which
he was Sunday school superintendent
for many years
The Last Student Escapane.
BY the time this letter appears the
faculty will probably have punished
some of the boys who worried their
girl associates during the Halloween
season. College fun is all right, bur
this was such an indecent outbreak
that talk would not suffice, and some.
body must Ego"
AS always there is reaction of senti-
ment TO some extent. The nightshirt
parade which sounds so awful to peo-
pie who do not know gay and hilarious
| students is ~pardonable. Columbia col
itSt SluucJLS tWtlcu TIT luSlftutlUn
was down town had an annual exhi-
bition of that character on Fifth ave-
nue.. OF course the students wear
nightgowns over their clothes, though
some country people suppose the boys
| go about barelegged. 1t helps to be
merciful in considering such perform
ances to recall that young men not in
college, but at the critical age are Oft
en- INDUCING in much more harmful
deyiitry.
When Pat Walsh Ruled the Campus.
1t is not the easiest thing in the
world to apprehend riotous students.
When they invaded the laundry of La
dies Hall they wore handkerchiefs
over their faces. No student can be
forced to ''tell' en- others; it would
mean tar and feathers in a like COM
munity of youth, whether in a uni
versity or elsewhere. An organized
student body would be warranted in
insisting that offenders of their own
number make themselves known; or
be officially listed; and in some col
leges leading students are punished
whether guilty or not, on the theory
that the offense is an offense of the
student body, for which as such he is
responsible. The usual effect is to
bring the guilty out of hiding. The
ianitors of the campus really should
act as custodians, but since that hon.
est old Irishman Pat Walsh died jani-
tors are as helpless as elm trees. Pat
regarded the campus as his castle and
would face a student riot like Hora-
titus at the bridge. He w carried
a pistol and more than once has threat
ened to kill the first student who laid
hands on college property.
There were giants in those days.
When Governor Peck Loved the Boys.
Again the law of reaction works in
student ~upheavals as in everything
else. The demonstration in the opera
house when the last legislature was in
session was IN outrage. President
Adams went to the police court and
urged the judge to show no partiality.
But we remember the outcome. Elk
Gov. Peck, the boys friend, came out
in the Sentinel urging clemency and
President Adams was showed under
with letters from all over the state
advising great clemeucy.
But the last riot was too much. 1t
had an element of indecency and there
was a lack of chivalry to it that makes
absolutely necessary the assertion of
authority.
ORLANDO BURNETT.