ASSOCIATE EDITORS.- Calliopean— Editor in Chief. H. P. Jordan, (Calliopean) L. L. Pkown, (Austin) Joe Gilbert, A. M. Todd. Business Manager, - Associate Business M’g’rs. SAIiUTATOHY. With this issue The Battalion makes its politest bow to the public and asks its esteemed patronage. As our valued predecessor, The Journal, has enlisted among the ranks of the defunct, we deem it our duty to see that the cadets will yet have a paper to be proud of. The Editor in Chief here takes advantage of the opportu nity offered to thank the societies for the position they have so generously assigned him. He shall do everything in his power to make these pages lively, interesting and instructive, and, with such gifted associate editors to contribute to its columns, he feels that he cannot possibly fall short of his aim. Boys, this paper is yours. Make it something. Lend all your assigtance possible. It is your duty, and should be your pleasure, to write something for every issue. The editors will endeavor to obtain most of the contributions from among you, and as it will prove beneficial in more than one way, you ought to be proud of the opportunity. There is much talent in the corps that has been dormant long enough, and as the first and greatest object of a college paper should be to arouse and then cultivate the literary tastes of its students, we con sider it our initial dutj 7 ' to create immediate enthusiasm in this line. Every cadet, from his entrance to his graduation, should furnish us witli at least one article for every number. Try this plan, and we will ere long have a paper that can claim its rank high up among the literary editions of every college in the Union! Again asking the support of the general public, we present you with this, our initial effort, and gracefully yield to your further demands. The students and faculty were very much gratified on re turning this session to learn that the time of Lieutenant Morse, who has so faithfully and efficiently served the college as commandant for the past three years, has been extended another year. The department of English has lately been raised to its highest merits, With the distinguished Professor Hutson at its head, and with his able associates it will no doubt be made the most interesting one of the college. Something new in the line of orations has been added to each class, and the boys will also be given numerous opportunities to display their skill in essay writing. The plavs of Shakespeare and other literary works will soon be one of its additional features. Success to it. ihe Boss Volunteers have commenced drilling again, and under her new captain they bid fair to rival the merits hereto fore won.. To keep in good condition takes a great deal of practice, and this is what they intend to do, as they have always done, for fear that they will be called upon to visit the Dallas fair. They have had special invitations to the fair for several yt ars, and attended once and proved themselves worthy of their name and^school. The faculty cannot possibly object to them going this year, and where the Board can object we cannot see, for you Avill not fund a more gentlemanly set of boys anywhere as you find in the A. and M. C.’s crack com pany. They are the picked men from the finest “corps of cadets” in the country. Such a body of young men attending such a fyir and representing this college will be a better adver tisement than a page “ad” in a daily newspaper. They could not help but draw praise from every lip and prove themselves worthy of the compliments bestowed upon them. To be com plimented by men of military ability and learning; men who know well the true merit of a company when they see it, is an honor that few companies enjoy. Now, it is to be hoped that the Board will act favorably toward this, the favor which they ask, and the Ross Volunteers will prove themselves an honor to the college, as well as the best drilled company in Texas. Accommodations can be had cheap and the fare will be almost nothing, hence the question of expense cannot cut a figure in the case. OUH ATHLETIC SPORTS. The beautiful game of base bail seems to be on the decline at our college. We have not had an unquestionably good base ball team at the A. and M. for two years. Since the departure of such men as Long, Maas, Metcalf, and this year of Dahlieh, the national game is surely losing interest. We made a weak attempt to revive the noble sport last year and partly-suc ceeded, but did not receive the co-operation of the corps; also did not organize till the last moment, practiced seldom, and were defeated in our contests. The A. and M. C. should have a first-class ball club. It should not be in the rear of other first-class colleges in this re spect, for a good base ball team is a credit to any college. We have some good talent among us this season, and with practice may develop some stars. imPHOVemEHTS at the a. and m. c. What a broad subject! Look around yourself and with that feeling of peculiar pride compare the college of ’92-’93 to that of the present year. The electric light and power house is soon to be put in operation, and then a long-felt want will be a thing of the past —that of more lights and better lights. The college grounds need to be illuminated by arc lamps, for this thing of gloomy appearances, as well as reliefs wading through Avater on rainy nights, cannot last long. The Bryan power company has fur nished us with lights for several years, but the Directors see that better results can be obtained by running it themselves. The ice' factory which was fitted up this summer will utilize a great part of the 100,000 gallons of splendid white sulphur Avater thal our new artesian well gives daily, in the way of manufacturing two tons of ice every day. This cer tainly calls for cooler times. A large natatorium is to be built this winter and next sum mer—well, AA T e’ll surely enjoy ourselves. - We can also pride ourselves over the fact* that we Avon’t have to wear any more yellow clothes, for the steam laundry—