THE BATTALION.
41
to entertaining talks 'by invited guests
may be very pleasant, but it is far from
accomplishing the work of a society.
Each member of the society must be reg
ular in attendance, and when on the pro
gram he should come forward well pre
pared and determined to do his very best.
While we are receiving so much en
couragement, let us wake up to the im
portance of the situation and determine
to make a record for ourselves, our so
ciety and our school.
«>*
Prizes have been offered for the three
best articles offered for publication in
the December number of The Battalion.
Three dollars are offered for the best
article, $2.00 for the second, and $1.00
for the third.
These articles must be between 1500
and 2000 words in length and must be
in the hands of the critics. Professors
Philpott and Harrington, by the 5th of
December.
These prizes will be continued month
after month, and will be increased in
value as the funds of the societies will
permit.
Students should at once begin prepa
ration of articles for future numbers..
By entering this contest you will help to
improve our College paper, make an en
viable reputation for yourself, gain val
uable training, and a valuable prize.
JL
For the last few years The Battalion
has been far below the standard. It has
been maintained by a faithful few who
had some spirit of college pride, and who
had some conception of the seriousness
and dignity of college life. There are a
large number of students who say: “I'm
no literary character. All I care for is
to get a good paying position and then
let the world rock on as it will.” These
fellows put, in every moment they possi
bly can visiting and interrupting those
who want to study. These same pestif
erous fellows have a carefully arranged
classification of the faults of teachers
and the shortcomings of officers. They
find fault with the College, with the so
cieties, with The Battalion, and every
thing else except themselves. They never
do any good, for they would have to stop
their miserable complaints for a few min
utes. Such drones never accomplish any
thing except to earn the hearty contempt
of all right thinking students.
There is another class of good, easy
going students who occasionally do
wake up to ask themselves if they really
are accomplishing anything. As a rule
their efforts, outside of enforced duties,
are spasmodic, and of little lasting good.
But after all there is a constantly in
creasing number of students who really
have some conception of the work to be
done in this world and who recognize the
value of the training being given here.
They take advantage of every opportu
nity for self improvement, and for thor
oughly equipping themselves for re
sponsible places in the great world of
human effort.
A few of these determined fellows are
putting some effort into society work
and are trying to raise The Battalion to
a higher degree of excellence.
Let every student who has ought of
college or society pride, who has ambi
tion to make a name and a place for
himself in college life, join the ranks of
the earnest workers. Let us make our
Battalion the very best publication that
comes from any Southern A. and M.
college.
^
With a view of helping worthy and de
serving students who are willing to work
to pay part of their expenses at the A.
and M. College, I have started a stu-