DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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yr is bound to go. At the last time this chestnut was up for discussion before the powers that be,'l but four ofthe faculty lent it their support. Of those, out ofharmony with the spirit of the times, one has been dethroned, one has left for pastures green, the second two supported it on the miserable plea that some restrictive measure is necessary to keep the students of De Pauw ffrom the best Christian families in the land, and a body of students the most reasonable and orderly of any in the nationj out of mischief. Out of mischief! From Sunday fish- ing! Aye, rather to preserve this opportunity to roar and bellow and paw the air. But this prison discipline will go. The curses and contemptuous fiings of a thousand students three and thirty times a year COMPELLED to attend this Hweariness of flesh and vexation ofspirit are bound at last to beat it down. 3. The MIRAGE would lend its encouragement and support to the maintenance of our famous students' enterprise-the De Pauw branch of the Inter-State Oratorical Association. No one thing, perhaps, draws so many enthusiastic, ambitious, brainy young men to our University, or from so great a distance, as the healthful condition of the department and the uniform successes we have met with in every encounter. Success that speaks well not only for the energy and intellectual strength of our students, but in the most complimentary terms, also, of Prof. Carhart, the leading instructor of oratory, written and spoken, in the country. For the interest and sympathy in this enter- prise manifested by Messrs N. T. and C. W. De Pauw, by their generous donation offered each year to the successful contestant, the students wish, through these pages, to extend their thanks. 4. On the question of Finances, the MIRAGE advocates the adoption of a sound and conservative policy. We favor heavy issues and a large output of both greenbacks and legal tender, and urge the growing necessity for the free and unlim- ited coinage of both gold and silver bullion. We would con- demn, however, in most urgent terms, the hide-bound poli- cy that would store up in barred and bolted vaults t' those glit- terirlg Shekels, much to the detriment of our several private exchequers. A rapid circulation and fair distribution of all

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devotion. As in the past to measures that will secure the unconditional prohibition of puns, the immediate and total abo- lition of the flunking system, iron-clad restriction against the immigration of under-class men into the afiections of the junior girls, and that which will promote the absolute freedom of the junior press, we pledge our strict and unswerving adherence. On the living measures of the day ,PHE MIRAGE, ever con- sistent with its character and moving spirit, takes a decided and consistent stand: 1. We believe that nothing so well bespeaks a thriving and progressive institution as the earnest and loyal support of an enthusiastic body of students toward the departmental profes- sors, courses of instruction, and the executive management of the University. Better, for purposes of advertisement, than catalogues or year-book, urgent appeals from pulpit or lectures from platform, stands a contented and satisfied body of students, unanimously respecting those in authority for broad-mincledness, ability and liberal culture, speaking and working for the new De Pauw. No one with a word of regret that he came here, none dis- satisfied with his instruction or treatment, none compelled to leave because of lack of appliances, of libraries and labora- tories with which to pursue his work, means for the future a popular and growing institution. In accord with this belief we recommend that trustees and board of visitors alike mingle more freely with the students, learning their opinions concern- ing instructors, modes of instruction and the needs and de- mands ofthe students. A flying visit made at a definitely appointed time, and mingling with no one but the instructors whom they employ fand who find it convenient to their interest at such times, on dress parade, to present as good a showing for themselves as possible, and from gentlemanly courtesy refrain from setting forth the faults of other departmentsj, is but a poor way of discovering how well their constituency, the great mass of the students, are being satisfied. 2. Once more we are compelled to note that a relic of the olden times haunts us still. But the Sunday afternoon antiquity 1' ,469-

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useless surplus into private banks would meet our unanimous approval. 5. While opposed, on general principles, to all salary grabs in which we are not personally interested, we would most heartily urge with ex 2505! faclo application an increase in the salaries of the members of the faculty-salaries that rather than be a disgrace would become the dignity and rank of our institution. We would further recommend a just and equitable discrimination in the amounts paid to the several departments. H Some men are cheap at any price, some things are dear at any price. If a chair .in the University is worthy of a pro- fessor, it demands and should command all of his time, and his time should be suitably rewarded, at least with a living salary. 6. The MIIIAGE advocates the establishment of every de- partment, above the Sophomore year at least, upon the H elec- lzi1e system. No student doing special work ought to be hampered by useless studies farther than the second college year. Each department would then be compelled to stand or fall on its merits, and the perpetration of antiquity would soon be a thing of the past. 7. The Department of Athletics, founded this year upon a sound and permanent basis, with systematic working organiza- tion, should meet the hearty support and co-operation of trus- tees, faculty and students alike. So long neglected in the past, it is coming at last to be recognized in its true character as an essential part of an educational institution. 8. Endorsing the spirit of Pan Hellenism, commending the purposes that inspired the founders of our junior clubs, organ- ized for the promotion of class fellowship, class spirit and mutual improvement, we would advocate all measures calcu- lated to break down petty jealousies, personal spite and preju- dice. 9. We condemn in the strongest terms the practice so prev- alent on the part of some of our Hwould be instructors, of inflicting on their students examinations continuing through a period of four or five hours, and often so long that many of the better students are unable to finish in the time allowed. We A-.1