8
THE BATTALION.
taking an active part in the Austin So
ciety, the one to which he belonged.
He was commissioned cadet captain of
Company D under Lieutenant B. C.
Morse, U. S. A., commandant of cadets.
^
The College is extending its influence
even to distant lands. During the past
summer two young men found their way
hither from the Argentine Republic, by
way of the Cape of Good Hope, South
Africa and England. Messrs. Luis Gonse-
batt, from Entre Rios, Parana, and Ri
cardo Coll, from Buenos Ayres, come
under the auspices of their government
to pursue a special course with us in
stockraising, the diseases and breeding
of cattle, and kindred branches. They are
two of some twenty-four students sent to
the United States and Canada to take
courses in agricultural and technical
branches. If the Argentine Republic
trains and keeps in her service many
young men as intelligent and gentle
manly as these appear to be, it speaks
well for the State and her future. We
bespeak for them a kindly reception
among our Texan youth, and wish them
every success in their work.
AUSTIN SOCIETY.
The first regular meeting of the Aus
tin Society for the session of 1900-01 was
held September —, at 8 o’clock. The
house was called to order by President
Carpenter, who in a few words gave a
brief history of the past year’s work,
and outlined the work for the present
year. We were greatly pleased to have
our commandant and Professors Philpot
and Fountain meet with us. Colonel Ed
monds, in an eloquent speech, gave us
much encouragement and excellent ad
vice. He showed us that many men have
achieved prominence with almost no ad
vantages at all as compared with those
we enjoy here. He spoke of the splen
did opportunities open to us, and en
couraged us to take advantage of them.
Professor Fountain, in an excellent ad
dress, expressed not only his willingness,
but his earnest desire to aid the soci
eties in every way possible.
Our critic, Professor Philpot, deliv
ered an earnest address, pointed out the
advantages to be derived from a proper
use of the societies, showed the students
that the work done in the societies
should be both profitable and pleasant,
and urged all to arouse themselves to a
recognition of the importance of the
work to be accomplished.
Members of the society are gratified
that some of the officers of the College
are taking so much interest in this phase
of our College life. Sometimes the so
cieties have felt neglected, enthusiasm
has died out, and the few who were in
tensely in earnest in their efforts have
labored under many difficulties.
The literary societies of our school for
the past few years haven’t been up to
the standard. This 1 year, however, the
Austin Society intends to make a rec
ord. We have already secured twenty-
five new members, and hope to treble
that number before the close of the fall
term. Alumni who live at the College
or near by will be invited and address the
society from time to time. Professor
Fountain has been appointed chairman of
the program committee, and we can feel
sure of having an interesting and instruc
tive program each meeting. Taken all in
all the prospects were never better for
a flourishing year in the Austin Society.