Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational School - Specula Galtonia Yearbook (Galt, Ontario Canada)

Page 55 text:

22 SPECULA GALTONIA In a song we have the inexplicable, subtle something that is lost to us in the wild exuberance of a yell. We feel it, recognize it, are inspired by it but are at a complete loss to explain it. Perhaps it is better so. Cherished forever in memory as a bond of friendship, the melody of it lingers with us when all our yells have been forgotten, when in the glorious adventure of living, we have perhaps strayed far to other lands and only in leisure mo- ments turn our thoughts once more to the old school. More than all else a school song gives to the school and to the student as well that spirit of distinction and patriotism which, from the dawn of history, has characterized the nations of the world in their rise to suprem- acy. So let us rally to the cause and make one mighty effort to bequeath to our beloved alma mater, a song well worthy to be called her own. One that shall follow her step by step through the years, echoing always down these famous corridors when victories, fore-ordained, blaze forth her own triumphant name to all. fe-L For the past few years the various organizations within this The 5011001 institution have been operating from a central fund. That Tfeasufy is, the money necessary for their many endeavours has been controlled by a special committee whose duty it is to pass approval on all expenditures arising and to determine a fair estimate for each activity. This centralization of finances has undoubtedly proved itself a success from at least two standpoints. First it has strengthened many of the for- merly weak societies and secondly it has enabled the student body at large to know how and at what approximate cost the various organizations are functioning. During the last few years the treasury, by a series of successful ven- tures, has succeeded in accumulating a very tidy surplus. This year, how- ever, it would appear from a glance over the treasurer's report Cfound within this bookl that, with a degree of success in our annual physical demonstration equalling that of other years, activities of Nineteen-Thirty might then break even. It is not right that the burden of carrying the financial load should fall solely upon the shoulders of one or two organizations. It is unfair both to those who show a surplus and to those who do not.

Page 54 text:

SPECULA GALTONIA 21 b My Hair is Grey, but not with years v -Prisoner of Chillon The Specula The SPECULA GALTONIA is now in your hand. We sincere- ly hope that you will enjoy every moment spent with it and find it in no way inferior to its many predecessors. Unlike last year the mighty gods above have not, as yet, favoured us with any guiding portent. Consultation with the Sibylline Books therefore is of no avail, and in breathless expectation we turn to you feeling sure that, if in the reading a little pleasure. is afforded all, our humble efforts have not been in vain. In publishing the SPECULA we would impress upon you that which we have mentioned elsewhere. It is this. The SPECULA GALTONIA iS made possible only through the co-operation of the many merchant and business men who advertise within its covers. Therefore, in gratitude to them for this support we repeat HPATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS and in so doing help the SPECULA GALTON IA of future years. fm h I Many are the achievements of which we of the Galt Colleg- The Sc 00 iate Institute and Vocational School are justly proud,- Song academic, athletic, military and musical. In spite of these attainments, however, we are still lacking that which can express better than anything else the true feelings of the student body, namely: a School Song. We have our yells4ye1ls that have spurred to victory many a losing team-yells that have followed the spirit of SEMPER PARATUS since eighteen fifty-two. Why then a song?

Page 56 text:

SPECULA GALTONIA 23 We come here more or less as average beings seeking knowledge. But knowledge alone is by no means the only development to be desired. The habits of sane, healthy, upright living are of equal importance-those hab- its which will stand us in good stead in the stress of the life into which we will be thrust when we, in sorrow, leave these walls behind. These it would seem have not, as yet, been fully attained. We do not ask or look for many to show a surplus but what we do expect and rightly expect, is that they put forth a greater effort to be more self-sustaining. It might be suggested that in future years the various organizations be compelled to adhere more strictly to their given estimates which are more carefully set with a view to fostering better business ability-and with a member of each activity appointed responsible to the treasury board for the disbursing of their allotted funds. dk! 0 O From the days of ancient Greece and the flowery era of n ratory Demosthenes to our present so-called modern age, the art of eloquence has been constantly pursued by the peoples of the world. To the ancients it represented the pulpit and the press-the way of the na- tiong and the man. The power of speaking-the endowment of man and one of his grand distinctions from the brute was not given to be hidden from the world but rather to be used for the advancement of it. Impressive speech indicates character--character the man-and on him the progress of the world de- pends. In view of this it is a surprising fact that the Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational Schools continues to experience great difficulty in keeping alive the sparkling fire of oratory. The stupendous efforts of those inter- ested have alone kindled the spark and kept it from going out. The attitude of the school, as a whole, in the face of the many oppor-- tunities, is one of indifference. It is not that the school is lacking in speakers, for we have sufficient proof to the contrary, but it is a fact that those who can speak have a certain loathing for the displaying of their oratorical powers. In such a circumstance we naturally look for a material reason but find none. The problem lies--unsolved. If