Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-06

| 1t may be considered a complete success,
| and although there has been some fric-
! ton from time to time. the general effect
| has been wholesome. for by a recognition
! of their right to be heard in matters that
| affect their interests the esprit de corps,
/ the discipline and dignity of the under
| graduate body have been enhanced to q
degree many times greater than the scope
! of their new obligations and RESPONSE
| bliteS.
Students Elect Lord Rector.
BY an act of parliament in 1858 the
| students at Edinburgh were authorized
| to elect the lord rector of that institution
and have since shown extraordinary judg-
ment in their selections. The rector serves
| for three years, and although he Is not
| always present in person, his prestige
carries great weight. The triennial cam
paisn awakens the students to sense
| of their responsibility. quickens their
manhood and gives them an experience
| that is of great value.
These campaigns are attended with in.
| tense excitement Committees are formed
| to advocate and promote the election of
various favOrites; headquarters are rent
ed; literary bureaus are established
meetings held and daily and nightly
speeches are made. and although none but
undergraduates have vote, the entire
| city becomes more or less interested in
| sympathy with the contestants. The cam
paign lasts about a fortnight, full Of
| incident and. entertainment, developing the
oratorical and executive ability of the
| leaders of the different factions and Civ
ing them an experience that will be of
great value when they enter the larger
! world of politics after graduation.
The present rector Of Edinburgh il the
| Rt. Hon. Richard Burden Haldane, men,
Der of parliament, and chancellor Of the
| imperial exchequer. The rector of Glas-
| cow University. where there is a similar
contest every three years, is the Rt. Hon.
Herbert Henry Asquith. prime minister
Frederick Treves. member of the fac
ulty. and the rector of ST. Andrews is
Lord Aveburg.
Their Responsibilities Extended.
In 1889 the responsibilities of the stu
dents in the management of the four uni
versities in Scotland was extended by an
other act of parliament. authorizing the
formation OF students representative
council In each, to be elected by the I'M
dergraduates from their own number, and
to represent them in all matters affecting
their interests. The council of Edinburgh
for example, consists of ninety-six mem
bers, representing the different faculties
In proportion to their numbers Medicine,
thirty members; arts, twelve; law, seven:
women students. six: science, five: divin-
lily, one, and music one. This council
holds regular sessions, and is represented
at meetings of the faculty and trustees
by delegates selected by ballot, who have
an equal voice with all Of the other MEM
bers of the governing body in the decision
of all questions affecting the administra-
ton and welfare of the institution While
they represent but one unit against many,
no action can be taken without full and
fair hearing from them as authorized
agents of the student body. The purpose
is thus accomplished by giving the views
of the students a definite expression upon
all subjects.
This plan originated In 1884, when prep
arations were being made for the ;sOOth
anniversary of the founding of the insti-
tuition. A committee of students was or
gained to cooperate with the faculty
and trustees to make the celebration a
success. and its efficiency was SO com
pletely demonstrated that the organize
ton was made permanent, and five wears
after received the sanction of the British
parliament.
Aims of Representative Councils.
The aims of the council are, % to rep
resent the students in such matters as
AFFECT their interest: CD to afford an au-
thorized means OF communication between
the students and the university authori-
ties: CD to provide an official agency for
conducting relations with other institu-
lions: 90 to promote social life, personal
acquaintance. and to advance the stand
ard of the scholarship and improve the
discipline Of the student; (5) to establish
central authority to supervise sports,
amusements and other student activities:
90 and. finally, to provide whatever
means and adopt whatever measures are
considered necessary from time to time to
promote the welfare of the undergrad
yates.
This was the first attempt ever made to
develop esprit de corps In the university.
AS l told you in a previous letter there
are no dormi,ories at Edinburg, no fra
ternities or anything OF that kind, and no
means to develop the social side of the
young men. The Scottish student, as
rule, is ''self-co1tained." He has more
personal Independence and self-reliance. is
more individualis:ic than those of other
races, and perhaps did not require the
social relaxation that other young men
demand The undergraduates are scat
tered in lodgings all over the city.
Conditions Then and Now.
Formerly they drifted into their classes
at the appointed hour, sat side by side
until the lecture was over. then folded
their notebooks, the Arabs are said
to fold their tents. and silently stole away
without saying word to their class
mates. The only time they ever got to-
gether was once in three years at the in
auguration of the lord rector, when for
many generations 1t has been customary
20 have a torchlight procession. which in
variably ended in riot and landed as
many students as the police could ac-
commodate in the police stations. The
students took this occasion to do what
ever damage they were able en- PEASANT.
to private property; consequently the
shOpkeepers and other citizens living
along the line Of march always closed
early and prepared their defenses. The
university quarter of the city became
bedlam all night and broken heads. limbs
and bruised bodies were numerous the
next morning.
One of the first acts of the students
council was to change the form of this
celebration and transform 1t from riot
into an orderly although not very d,gni-
fed demonstration. which is not without
its fun and fantastic features: but it Is
carried on without invading the rights or
disturbing the peace of the citizens.
There has never been place or an OPP
portunity for the students Of Edinburgh
to assemble until the council took that
matter in charge. and now the boys are
called together frequently to discuss and
determine questions that do not often
concern the public. but are Of vital inn
portance in their eyes. And on these
occasions leadership develops sometimes