The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-05
lBy Charles Upchurch Harris


true. At no other time of life win there
be found so many opportunities both for
pleasure and the cultivation of mind and
body.
In a student body may be found almost
every phase of life. student body is
a little world of its own. In it are those
who are fortunate in the possession OF
much worldly goods This class you VIII
find living in well appointed quarters.
with q suite of rooms magnificently furn-
ished They are boarders at the hotel
or the college village, or at high priced
private boarding houses. Others VINO
have small means will be found rooming
in the domtories, in the rooms rented to
them for a nominal charge by the col
lege.
Instead of a handsomely appointed suite
this class have only one room for two
boys, and in which there are only bed,
a pine table, two splint- bottom chairs,
a book case made from a box. some books
screwed in a corner with a flap of calico
nailed over it for a wordrobe
The religious side of life is represented
by an earnest band of Christian workers
organized into Y. NJ c. A. The mem
bcrs of this organization appoint com
mittees to look after the spiritual well
fare of their fellow students, and to
minister unto them in cases of Illness.
These men are honored and respected by
their college mates. You will often find
that one of the most consecrated of this
band is the close chum Of one of the
most devil-may -care-fellows in college.
The social side of life is represented by
class of students who rush the girls Of
the ''hill." This class is organized into
german clubs, banquet clubs. etc. There
is nothing more enjoyable than a dance
given by college german club. and the
young lady who receives a bid to those
functions is envied by her less fortunate
sisters.
The literary feature Of life is repre-
sented by the literary societies of the
college, of which there are generally two
Intense rivalry to excel always exists be-
tween these two bodies. In these socie-
ties the college man is trained to give eX
preston to his oratorical and argumen
tative powers. He receives thorough
training in parliamentary laws and
customs. There are always medals
offered for Improvement in oratory, and
debate and in the senior year for the
lest orator Or for the best debater in
each society, and the best in college.
There is intense rivalry and competition
between the students to be awarded these
coveted honors. In the literary societies
CT college many eminent statesmen re-
ceived their first training.
| call the readers attention to the
matchlcss debating powers of our most
honorable Governor, Charles B. Ayccck
who received his training in one OF the
literary societies of the State University
TO the enviable reputation that Thomas
Dixon. Jr., has justly won for himself
as an orator and later as writer, he
received his training in the halls of the
Euzelian Society at Wake Forest Col
lege; and to the men who hold now the
two most sought for honors in the be-
stowal of the people, Senators Overman
and Simmons, These two men received
their parlamen my training in tie lit
erary societies of Trinity College.
Then, in addition to the literary So
cieties, there is a college magazine which
publishes the written articles of the
students But to get their work publish
ed in this magazine it must be of merit
Some of the best fiction can be found in
college journals. Not only do the pub
LEGATIONS publish fiction, but articles on
original research, local history, and IS
says of great merit can be found between
the covers. Sometimes there is a poem
by student Edgar Allan Poes first at
tempts were published in the magazine
of the University of Virginia At the
present day we have a North Carolinian
i'm our midst who has recognized poetical
ability of high order. He is young in
his career but will surely be known to
every North Carolinian as his works in
crease. He is John Charles Mcneil, of
Scotland county. His first efforts appear
ed in the Wake Forest Student and were
of such merit that they attracted the
attention of the editor of the Century. "
Mr.. McNeill was invited to become a
contributor TO this periodical and the
public has since been favored with sew
eral of his poems, published in this maya
CINE.
The political path of life is strongly
represented in college life. There are a
great many college honOrs in the be-
stowal of the student body which are
much sought for by the individual stu
dents. Some of the deepest political
schemes, of which Machravellir might
have been proud are laid and carried out
in college politics. President, officers
of the athletic association. manager o.
the athletic teams, president and officers
of the different classes, the officers of
the literary societies, ball managers Of
fcers of the college publications, etc. are
all elected by direct vote of the student
body, or by votes of the members of the
different organizations. Here the cliques
form combinations. enact schemes, make
trades. etc. for tine success of their
candidate which by their shrewdness
would surprise some of the politicians.
1t should be said, though that college
politics is conducted on an honorable
scale. No underhand work is allowed and
a college politician who attempts this
never succeeds. Thus see that men
who in after life control great political
parties and through these parties the af-
ialrs of State. receive their first train
ing at college. Senator Simmons is an
admirable example of this class.
Fraternal life is exemplified in the col
lege fraternities. There are in most every
college organizations similar to the fra
lerhai orders of later life Each one
OF these fraternities have from twelve
10 twenty men who are banded together
lof the promotion of ach nther,S interest