Stetson Weekly Collegiate

STETSON WEEKLY COLL OFFICIAL STUDENTS' PUBLICATION OF STETSON UNIVERSITY. VOL. XVII. DE LAND, FLA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY n, 1905. NO. 11. Athletic Conference in Jacksonville* Those who have followed the rise and trend of athletics in the colleges of Florida, who have seen the day, not many years since, when no college team ever played a team from a sister institution of learning, will appreciate the vital importance of the recent gathering of representatives of five of the leading schools in the sfate, to discuss the best sort of regulations to govern such contests, and if possible to effect some kind of organization between the various colleges. At the meeting, which was held at the Hotel Windsor, Jacksonville, on Friday morning, December 30, 1904, representatives from five colleges were present. Eight men were at the meeting, some schools having two delegates, one empowered to vote, the other as advisory member. The discus- ions lasted four hours, and while no ote was taken at the meeting, the members parted with practically a mutual understanding and the determination to effect an organization within two or three weeks. The problem facing the colleges of Florida is, in brief, this: We must have some organization; what shall be the basis, or the standard, of organization? Shall it be a standard as strict in its interpretation of Amateurism as that of the Southern Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association? Or, Shall it be a State League, having a lower, a less rigid, ruling? The problem was and is further complicated by the fact that the Florida State College, of Tallahassee, has already joined the S. I. A. A. and so can play no college teams that have a lower standard for amateurism than that association. If she did so, she would be black-listed and dropped from the association. Now, the two alternatives that face the other colleges than the F. S. C. is this: Shall we form the lower standard league and thus exclude Tallahassee games; or, shall we adopt the constitution of the S. I. A. A. and thereby put ourselves in a position to play Tallahassee games, if we choose, without al- ' tering the make-up of our various teams, whenever we do so play the F. S. C. It may be stated here that the ■£. F. S., of Gainesville, the Universi- of Florida, of Lake City, and Stet- , are all favorably inclined toward S. I. A. A. standard of amateur- om; they have all agreed to secure :opies of said constitution and decide the matter Very' soon. Rollins, of Winter Park, is the only college that is adverse, and strenuously adverse, to adopting such a rule. Their protest is, id probably a just one, that they ,ould have very little athletic material left, at the start. It is true, too, that all the other colleges declare that it would work them hardship, somewhat, at the start, but that they think the time is ripe now, if ever it is to be, for such organized agreement as shall forever do away with the gross charges of professionalism, made against us as a state by other states. Personally, we believe it is most auspicious of good, that one college in the state has placed herself in line with the strict est colleges of the North or South, and affirmed: "I care.not what others may do, but as for me, give me pure athletics, or give me no athletics." And, of course, for that college "pure athletics" means the S. I. A. A. standard. President Sledd, of University of Florida, made a gallant speech, declaring that so long as he had any authority at Lake City, they could have "pure athletics or NO athletics." Mr. Baxter, the representative from Gainesville (E. F. S.), assured the meeting that he could promise the hearty and thorough support and cooperation and unified standards of school in any movement toward that same end. This is the situation and status of the movement at present writing. Active discussion is in progress relative to a speedy adjustment, and all things look bright for organized cooperation and/ [unified standards of amateurism, on the part of at least a large majority of the colleges of the state. The Collegiate may later discuss some of the most vital features of the above-mentioned constitution of the S. I. A. A. Literary Society. The Stetson Literary Society held a very interesting meeting last Saturday night. The program was entirely extemporaneous, consisting of a short talk on the W. C. T. U. by Mr. Chaffer, who seemed to think one of its most important achievements is the distribution of white ribbon badges. Then Miss Munsell gave her audience a jolly little recitation. Mr. Carlton, being called upon for a song, promptly responded and recounted in melodious harmony some of the touching events of his boyhood, long years ago. The society expressed its appreciation in a hearty encore. Mr. Lofberg was given the subject, "Reveries of a Bachelor," which he expounded at great length. We can imagine Mr. Lofberg, at some future time, in a dear little home, sitting before an open fire with a short, stout girl with a small, flat nose (he says opposites attract), straight black hair, small feet, not overly bright, and of a sober turn of mind, for he says if he ever meets her there will be no more reveries of a bachelor for him. The subject, "Reveries of a Bachelor Woman," was appropriately given to Miss Hawley, but her memory came near failing her when she tried to recall the thrilling incidents of her girlhood. We could see the subject was Wareing to her. Mr. Moffatt favored us with an oration, and we are delighted to know that he still approves of womankind. Mr. Geiger, a visiting law student, was called upon for a speech. He said it was very hard to talk when one had nothing to say, but he filled up the time very gracefully. Lastly Dr. Hulley gave us a short, helpful talk, after which the meeting was adjourned. January Organ Recital. Next Friday evening occurs another of the series of organ recitals by our Professor Morse. The announcement of the fact is alone sufficient to insure a good attendance. Town people as well as students appreciate these recitals as giving them a chance to hear really superior music. Opening of the Winter Term* What promises to be as successful a term of school as Stetson University has ever experienced, was formally commenced on Wednesday, January 4, when the chapel doors were thrown open and crowds of old students, many new arrivals and friends of the institution thronged in to be present at the first chapel exercises. For fully an hour prior to the time set for chapel, Elizabeth Hall and the adjoining campus were filled with students, overflowing with the spirit of good fellowship and anxious to welcome their friends after the holidays. The exercises opened with a hymn, after which Dr. Hulley read a lesson from the Scriptures and led in prayer. Dr. Hulley then spoke a few words of welcome, expressing, both on his behalf and of the faculty, the pleasure with which the returning students were received, and wishing all a pleasant and successful new year. At the conclusion of chapel, there were no classes until afternoon, when work was assigned during a series of ten minute periods. The actual work of the term was taken up on Thursday and is now well in hand. GRATIFYING CONDITIONS. The conditions under which the work of the new term is taken up are gratifying in the extreme to all who have the welfare of the school and the students at heart. The enrolment has been large, over 325 students registering during the first week of school. It is believed that many more will come in during the next few weeks, and the middle of the term will probably see the halls of the University crowded as of yore. A very noticeable feature of this year's registration, and one which affords no slight cause for gratulation, is the large percentage of college students. Many of the new arrivals are o'f college rank and, for the most part, are mature men and women who will strengthen and infuse spirit into every line of university life and work. The college classes are larger than ever before, and several have gone far beyond all previous records. Professor Carson has twenty-three registered in one of his elective history clases, and there is also an English history class under Professor Frost which numbers considerably over twenty. All other classes, particularly those in elective mathematics, show a corresponding- growth. Dr. Hulley and the other members of the faculty are much pleased with the results, and intend to keep up the untiring effort which has bcought them about. OPENING RECEPTION. The president's reception in honor of the new students took place at Chaudoin Hall Friday evening, from 8:30 to 10 o'clock, and was one of the most successful and pleasant on record. Dr. and Mrs. Hulley were as sisted in receiving by Dr. and Mrs. Farriss and Miss Morrison, and Prof. Carson introduced the new arrivals with his usual graceful and affable air. Within a short time after the opening of the reception, the parlors were filled with young people, and everybody was engaged in making the acquaintance of everybody else. It did not require long for old friends to meet and new ones to be made, and soon all were upon most excellent terms, which made the reception such as might well be enjoyed. Refreshments were served in the dining room at the close of the evening. One of the most enjoyable events of last term was a dinner given to the college men by Professors Sears, Baldwin and Colton at the Floral Grove, Saturday evening, December 17. It was attended by about twenty men of the college and law classes, and was a happy occasion in every sense of the word. For some time the guests were engaged in the discussion of the dainty viands set before them. Cigars were then passed around and the post-prandial features of the evening began. Professor Baldwin spoke briefly, and was followed by Mr. Colton and Mr. Sears, all talking upon college spirit and what it might accomplish for the school. Every man present responded to these remarks, giving his ideas in regard to what Stetson men might do to aid their school. At a late hour the guests adjourned to their homes, after thanking their hosts for one of the most ejoyable evenings of the year. It was decided to hold a smoker in Science Hall on the first Monday of t.he new term, at which the subject might be further pursued, and this took place last Monday evening. All the college men were present, and Dr. Hulley also came, by invitation, to address them. His speech was followed by others, both from teachers and students, and much of value was brought out. These meetings will continue throughout the year, and should result in material benefit to the school in increasing college spirit. New Year's Vespers. Dr. Hulley, in the short time allotted, spoke very fully and instructively on the subject of "Bible Study." No one, he said, has a right to condemn or criticise the merits of a book he never reads. On the other hand, a great many of us, who realize that we ought to read the Bible more than we do, speak in high terms of praise of it, while we really do not know what we are talking about. He emphasized its literary, in addition to its religious value, as well worth our consideration and thoughtful study. The Bible is the classical literature of the Hebrews, and the speaker showed how the ideals and theories of all stages of civilization went to make up the Bible as we have it. In concluding he again repeated the text chosen for the address, "Ye search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have everlasting life." Before the address the choir sang "Nearer, My God, to Thee," with solo by Miss Lutz. One of the largest congregations ever attending Vespers was present.