Volume 003, Description 05 of The Tech Oracle student newspaper.
Transcript:
THE TECH ORACLE
TECH STUDETNS FAVOR WORLD COURT
Vote Taken Friday at Chapel Assembly
The Tech student body voted on the World Court question at the regular Chapel assembly on Friday, December 4.
About 65 per cent of the students voted on the question 92 per cent of those voting favored United States participation in the Court, while 8 per cent were opposed.
Through the student Christian Associations the results of this voting will be forwarded to The New Student where the returns from colleges all over the nation will be tabulated. This consensus of student opinion will be laid before congress when it begins a discussion of the World Court, on December 17th.
“TWELFTH NIGHT”
As is announced elsewhere in this paper, the college department has chosen “Twelfth Night” for the annual presentation of Shakespearean drama.
While the play will hardly be given before commencement, elaborate plans are already under way for the event. As an inducement to attendance from the surrounding towns, those coming from each town will be assigned a section of seats in the auditorium, especially decorated for their delegation. To all communities represented by ten or more people, a prize will be given and a special award will be made to the largest delegation.
The above is but a small part of the plan which is to make of “Twelfth Night” the most phenomenal success of anything ever attempted by Tech students.
Characters for the play are being selected now and real work will begin after the holidays are over.
Messrs. McClanahan and Passons will direct the play.
(A column in each succeeding Description of the Oracle will contain information relating to “Twelfth Night.” Read it. –Editor.)
GLEE CLUBSIN CONCERT
There are three Glee Clubs at T.P.I. this year –A girls’ Glee Club, a boys’ Glee Club, and a mixed chorus –all are working regularly each week.
Girls’ Glee Club
The Girls Glee Club started early with a good membership and has been doing good work. Those belongings to this club are: Mary Ellen Rash, jessie Barnes, Amy Shipley, Elsie Young, Beulah Clark, Muriel Gibson, Elise Gregory, Mary Ellen Shanks, Virginia Wilcox, Louise Wood, Emily Stanton, Agnes Greenwood, Thelma McCormick, Elizabeth Hargis, Lucille Cameron.
Boys’ Glee Club
The Boys’ Glee Club was organized later in the term. Some good voices are beginning to show up as the work progresses. This club boasts two members of the faculty, Mr. Hilliard and Mr. McClanahan.
Mr. McClanahan, who has had a great deal of experience with glee from Calhoun: Davis, a guard from Shop Springs High. The others trying out are the two Stringfield brothers, and R. Robbins, guards; and Johnson, Snyder, M.L. () club is assisting Miss Stanton I the direction of the work. The following are members: Luther Puckett, Gradys Winningham, Mr. Hilliard, Mr. McClanahan, George Lewis, Otto Masters, Ray Baker, Thurston Tipps, Alvin Jackson, Armon Clark, Eugen Wood.
Mixed Chorus
The mixed chorus was formed by combining the Boys’ and Girls’ Glee Clubs. This organization will do some concert work during the year. Their first appearance will be at the City School auditorium Dec. 11. On a program under the auspices of the Cookeville Music Club. The Girls’ Glee Club will also appear on this program.
Orchestra
The School Orchestra will take on different timbre this year. There are stringed instruments to take the place of the wind instruments that we had last year.
We lost several of our members of last year to other institutions but the new members are working hard to make this year’s orchestra the best one T.P.I. has ever had.
The Personnel is as follows:
Violins –Mr. Hillard, Kathleen Gibson, Agnes Greenwood, Mary Ellen Shanks.
Guitar –Beulah Clark.
Mandolin –Fred Tardy.
Trumpet –Clem Allen Womack.
Drums –Albert Brogden.
Piano and Director –Miss Stanton.
COLLEGE DEPARTMENT
At a recent meeting of the United College Classes the following business was transacted.
Mr. Davis Chairman of the committee for the selection of the Shakespearean play reported that the committee had decided upon “Twelfth Night.” This play is to be presented some time during the spring term by the College Department.
It was suggested by Mr. Darwin that the balance of the money realizes on last year’s play be used for the floral tribute sent by the T-Club at the death of our schoolmate, Louis B. Lefevre.
All the members were urged to be getting up enthusiasm for an Annual this year. We are attending a real school, let’s have all that goes with it.
BASKETBAL SQUAD BEGINS PRACTICE
Coaches Report Splendid Material for Team
On Monday, Nov. 30th, varsity basketball practice was begun in earnest and about twenty men have been responding to the call each day since.
Five letter men on last year’s team are here working out daily –Jobe, Watson, Poteet, Winningham and Carr –and Alcorn, a very efficient guard also of last year’s team, will arrive in a few weeks. The worth of these men are well known to Tech followers. Jobe, at center, was the equal of any man who opposed him in jumping. He can also play any position with as equal ease. Watson is a good shot. Poteet is a very fast forward and good at close shots. Winningham last year alternated at guard and center. He is capable of playing any position with equal ability. He is a good floor-working, fairly good at distance, and excellent on close-ups. Carr was a substitute on last year’s squad, but is showing up better this year and promises to give somebody a hard fight for a regular position.
Cooper, captain of the team of 1923-24, and one of the best guards ever seen on the local court, is out and certain of a varsity berth. Moss, tall center on last year’s U.T. Freshmen team, promises to make one of the best centers Tech ever had. Outside of these two, who stand out above the lot, there are among the newcomers, Little speed, guard from Livingston academy.: Lewis, a fast but light forward, and Whittaker, forward. () from Calhound; Davis, a guard from Shop Springs High. The others trying out are the two Stringfield brothers and R. Robins. Guards: and Johnson, Snyder, M.L. Robbins and Burrows, forwards.
Only eight games on the schedule have been definitely settled, but more are being arranged. Among the teams to be played this season are Cumberland, Bethel, Ogden, Carson-Newman, King College, East Tennessee Teacher’s College, Milligan, Cincinnati Surety Co., Bowling Green Business University, Western Kentucky Normally, and Middle Tennessee Teachers College.
The complete schedule will be given in the next Description of the Oracle.
CO-ED BASKETBALL
For over a month the co-ed basketball squad of about thirty players have been going thru preliminary practice. The squad has now been cut to thirteen, the number that will be carried all seaso and is comprised of the following girls: Misses Shipley, Cassety, Annie Pearl Whitson, and Van Hooser, forwards. Of these girls, Miss Shipley, Cassety, Annie Pearl Whitson, and Van Hooser, forwards. Of these girls, Miss Shipley is the only one who has seen extensive service and is one of the best in the state. The guards are Misses Lucile Moore, McKrel, Cornwell, and Peters. Miss Moore and Miss McKeel received letters last year and are experienced players—Miss Moore being exceptionally good and Miss McKeel not far behind. The centers are Misses Lucy Whitson, Barnes, Starnes and Marguerite Moore Miss Whitson is by far the best of the lot and with good training should make one of the best in the state. The Co-ed schedule is also indefinite, but plans are being made for six games away and five at home. Among the teams to be played are Carson-Newman, E.T.T.C. Maryville. M.T.T.C., Cumberland Peabody and possibly Alabama Normal, where Miss Jobe is now coaching.
PROFESSOR PEPP
On Thursday evening, Dec. 17th, the much heralded visit of Professor Pepp to Cookeville will become a reality. Professor Pepp will appear at the city aschool auditorium of the above named date, in the person of one, J. Leslie Myers, who will be acocompanied by fifteen other enthusiastic Sherwoods and Belles Lettres, including in the cast.
The nervous hysteria of Professor Pepp, the ludicrous absurdities of the Butterfly Buttonbuster, and the clownish antics of Sim Batty (C.W. Davis), the town constable show the prevailing mood of the play which is full of fun from beginning to end.
Time—Three days in September.
Place—A small College town.
Time of Performance—Two Hours and Twenty minutes
Admission—Adults 35c children 25c
Doors Open—7 o’clock
Play Begins—8 o’clock
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Tech students seldom become bored with Chapel exercises. Fortunately this year we have been pleasantly entertained at Chapel by moving pictures, music, speeches, and interpretations of dances. It remained to Miss McClanahan’s physical education department to give us the most spicely different program of the season. On Nov. 26, at chapel a number of graceful and beautifully attired young damsels held intense attention of the student body for twenty whole minutes. We watched with great interest the almost forgotten dances so popular with other generations.
The first dancer was that of the Irish Wash Woman, a hilariously funny dance involving a comical harmony of movements and a dizzy series of gyrations and oscillations.
The three dances that follows were Skater’s Shattiche, Old Rustic, and the Sailor’s Hornpipe. These dances were much enjoyed, and the () student body called repeatedly for encores.
Miss McClanahan and the girls who participated in the dances are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the program. The physical education classes can always be depended upon to give a different and amusing program. We are looking forward to being entertained by them at others times.
NEWS FROM OTHER COLLEGES
At Antioch College, the results of a study of the effects of smoking upon scholarship has been announced. The conclusions drawn were that, while there are no permanent effects of smoking upon blood pressure, lung capacity, or pulse rate, a definite relationship exists between smoking and low scholarship. Among the men students 31.8 per cent of non-smokers fail to maintain required grades, while 62.3 per cent of heavy smokers similarly fail. Inhalers fail most often. Of the 23 men dismissed from Antioch last year for scholarship, 20 were smokers.
The working student does not always sacrifice his scholarship, as might be supposed. Forty-four percent of the honor students graduating from the undergraduate schools of Yale University, last June were students working their way through college.
What is to be done with the $2,500 bequest of Emily J. Bryant, recently turned down by the Trustees of Vassar College? The money was to have been used as a scholarship find for students who played cards. It was declined on the ground that Vassar, an educational institution, cannot accept gifts placing restrictions upon the students’ personal or social behavior. Last year a student curricular committee at Hood College, Mary () land surveyed the college education system. Last May the committee submitted a report to the faculty, recommending a plan of class cuts for students with B grades or over.
After a week of undergraduate discussion Yale College voted overwhelmingly for abolishing the compulsory feature of chapel. Two days of balloting resulted in a vote of 1681 for 241 against. By a 3 to 1 majority the faculty also expressed their disapproval of the institution.
Students of Rutgers College, New Jersey, have voted to abolish the Honor System. Failure of the plan throughout most of its five years of existence is given as reason for the action.
Enterprising radio fans at Harvard College, Pa., are planning an international intercollegiate chess match with the University of Argentine. Last year a match was arranged with Oxford University but was called off when nearly half completed by the British Government, because the University radio men’s license permitted the transmitting of experimental work only.
At Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut Malcolm Stevenson, managing editor of The Tripod, student publication, rebelled –and was suspended from college for a month.
His Offense: editorial criticism of a statement by Dean Edward Troxell in a chapel speech. Dean Troxell said, “Our duty in college is to disregard the individual and to turn out a Trinity type.” In commenting on this Stevenson declared, “Better a radical with a beard and a bomb than a type-a goosestepper—a man without brains enough or courage enough to declare himself.”
The oldest journalism school in the United States, founded in 1869, at Washington and Lee University at the time Robert E. Lee was president, has recently been reestablished.
HOW WE KNOW ‘EM
It wouldn’t be “Powers” if he didn’t want to know how many credits he was making, or to borrow a U.T. catalogue.
It wouldn’t be “Jess Clark” if he didn’t run thru the doors when the dinner bells rings.
It wouldn’t be “Tipps” if he didn’t want to bum a chew of tobacco.
It wouldn’t be “Louise Woods” if she wasn’t acting goofy.
It wouldn’t be “Brownie” if he wasn’t calling respiration –aspiration.
It wouldn’t be “Mrs. Morton” if she wasn’t trying to be hard-boiled.
It wouldn’t be “C.W. Davis” if he wasn’t pleading with the waiters to bring on more eats.
It wouldn’t be “Amy Shipley” if she wasn’t arguing with “Mr. Me” in Psychology class.
It wouldn’t be “Robert Rose” if he didn’t always have a bad smelling pipe in his mouth.
Everything that is great in life is the product of slow growth; the newer, the greater, the higher, and the nobler the work, the slower is its growth, the surer is its lasting success. Mushrooms attain their full power in a night; oaks require decades. A fad lives its life in a few weeks; a philosophy through generations and centuries. –Jordan.
One of the things in life which we use the most and value the least is language. It is the distinction of our race, our highest prerogative, the instrument of our progress. It is the bond of brotherhood, too, and the body in which truth becomes incarnate. The thought history of the race is written in the very structure of its speech; and a language or a dialect is as significant of great social forces now long spent as the strata of the earth’s surface are concerns seismic energies. –Adams.
“The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and educational advantages; the questions is what he will do with what he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he leaves the corner stone of a solid and honorable success.”
“Half the giant’s strength is in the conviction that he is a giant. The strength of a muscle is enhanced a hundredfold by the willpower. The same muscle, when removed from the giant’s arm, when divorced from the force of the might will, can sustain but a fraction of the weight it did a moment before it was disconnected.
When we have practiced good actions awhile, they become easy; when they are easy, we take pleasure in them; when they please us, we do them frequently,; and then, by frequency of act, they grow into habit. –Tillotson.
Seventy-six percent of all men students and thirty eight per cent of all women students at the University of Nebraska are wholly or partially self-supporting. Exclusive of the College of Law, the average expenditure per student for the nine months is shown by a recent survey to be $714.66 for the men and $714.66.
Time’s the king of men.
For he’s their parent, and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
--Shakespeare.
CONSOLING PHILOSPHY
It is better to have loved and lost than to get married and be bossed.
THAT CUMBERLAND GAME
In a previous Description of the Oracle an advance notice on the Tech-Cumberland game under the above heading was given and we were very optimistic of the results. In this Description under the same title we are attempting to tell—How We Lost.
If view points are to be given as to why we lost, it might first be said that we had no game the preceding week, and as a consequence the team relaxed in its training. And, if the true be told, such was the case and part of the cause. Then we might say that Cumberland got all the breaks and as a consequence our morale was broken. And, if we speak alright, such was the case and part of the cause. Then we might say that Cumberland got all the breaks and as a consequence our morale was broken. And, if we speak alright, such was the case and part of the cause. And again as a consequence deserved to have won. And, again we say, such was the case and part of the cause. And so on and so on, far, far, into the ink of football blackness. But that’s not so bad! Remember King College! And for fear somebody isn’t inclined to interpret this article in the right spirit, Remember Pleasant Hill! ()
To get down to plain facts, after waiving the more or less nonsense above. Tech lost the game partly because she didn’t play football, play it for all there is in there, as she did against M.T.T.C. and hard enough to at least have lowered the score by a big majority, and partly because of Singleton –the versatile half-back, who punts, run, passes, and does anything else with seemingly equal ease, and who is possibly the equal of any half in the South.
Captain Miller, playing his last game for Tech was outstanding in his efforts to stem the tide, but had to be taken out because of injuries in the third quarter. It seemed that he and Jobe were the only ones who were actually doing all they were capable of.
Outside of these few things that was about all there was to it. By the way, in passing, we forgot to mention that the score was 51 to 0.
Line-Up
Tech Cumberland
Watson L.E. Hicks
Brown L.T. Chastain
Moss L.G. Sims
Clark, J. C. Humphries
Miller R.G. Vaden
Wilson R.T. Martin
Davis, C. R.E. Wesson
Hughes Q.B. Singleton
Starnes L.H. Haney
Dowell R.H. Cockrill
Jobe F.B. Yeargin
REVIEW OF FOOTBALL 1925
There are some who will say that Tech’s 1925 football season was a failure and there are some, of course, who will say that it was a success. The writer is of the opinion that is was a very successful one. Measured, even in terms of the number of games won, it should be counted successful, for any team who wins half of its scheduled games has certainly had a successful reason. But this is not all. A method of coaching –new to Tech, and which bespeaks greater results for the future—was begun, and a most satisfactory beginning it was. And yet not all. The fine spirit of harmony and team-work which was prevalent after the first game is sure to be beneficent to the men themselves and to call forth cherished memories in after years.
In the first game of the season we were defeated by Gallatin Private Institute 14 to 0. The game was played on a muddy field, but instead of sticking to straight football, as might have been expected. Gallatin brought out something we were unable to cope with all season () a well ordered passing attack which proved our undoing. However, the game brought out many defects in the team and served to make it a more efficient machine for future opponents.
The next week we completely smothered Castle Heights 54 to 0 and thus avenged our defeat at their hands the previous season.
The following week we journeyed to Bowling Green, and by general alertness and smart football, played a perfect score on the gridiron keyboard to the tune of 12 to 6, at Ogden’s expense. Ogden had previously beaten Cumberland 6 to 3.
The week afterwards was the big game of the season and we were determined to stop the much talked of “Teachers” of Middle Tennessee. We did—but they stopped us also. The score was 0 to 0 and was the result of one of the best games ever seen on the local field.
The next week the team went to Russellville, Ky., for a game with Bethel but because of a deep snow the game was called off—much to the satisfaction of the Bethel coach—so it seemed.
The following week we journeyed to Madisonville for a game with Hiwassee. The bunch won the game 39 to 2 mainly thru the efforts and success of Watson in receiving passes and of Jobe in ploughing the line at will.
The next week, due to a misunderstanding with the Sewanee Freshmen, no game was played, and that it proved very disastrous the following week was easily to be seen.
This game, the last of the season, was played with Cumberland, who crushed us under an avalanche of passes 51 to 0. Cumberland had the better team and deserves to win, but by not more than three touchdowns. It was a plain case of giving up after a few breaks went to the opposing team. If the team had given Cumberland the battle it gave M.T.T.C., the score would certainly have been much lower, probably in our favor –Singleton notwithstanding.
Football Scores
Tech 0 Oct. 2 G.P.I. 14
Tech 55 Oct. 9 Castle Hts. 0
Tech 12 Oct. 17 Ogden 6
Tech 0 Oct. 23 M.T.T.C. 0
Tech 39 Nov. 7 Hiwassee 2
Tech 0 Nov. 20 Cumberland 51
OUR FOOTBALL TEAM
There are football teams and other football teams. Which should a school prefer, a team composed of eleven brutes who massacre their opponents with an avalanche of touchdowns, or a hard fighting team composed of gentlemen who can both win and lose with the same old ready smile? Any college would prefer the latter kind of team, and that is the type of football team that has represented T.P.I. this season.
There was no place for a quitter on this team. There was no place for a coward or for the player who fights only for self glory. Every man on the team at all times did his best and when it became necessary, a little more for the team and T.P.I. The work of no player was characterized by anything low or dirty or foul. No player tried attain individual stardom. There was no a player who did not at all times have the interest of the team first in his heart. It has never been our pleasure to have associated with a cleaner group of gentlemen than the men on the team of ’25. ()
What more could be said of a team?
Scores made on the gridiron are soon forgotten. Forgotten, too, are the great stars and their imposing records. But lessons learned on the gridiron are always remembered long after the stars have faded away. We on the sidelines never know the priceless things that a football player learns. Football players win victories over themselves that we never see. Students in a large university are never conscious of the self-denial made by the fellows who play football. But our team is a part of us. That is why we appreciate our team so much. That is why we compliment our players so highly; ad we know whereof we speak.
Much of the team’s success is due to the efforts of coaches Overall and Smith. Instead of teaching the players to fight with a brutal ferocity, the coaches have succeeded in instilling the fighting spirit of real men into the players and in bringing out their qualities of true sportsmanship.
Although our team won no championships, the players won hosts of friends and admirers whenever they appeared. The team which can stand victory and which can lose without “beefing” never knows the bitterness of defeat. There is nothing but victory. In conclusion it can be truthfully said that no other team has ever won its way into the hearts of the students of Tech as has this hard fighting team of ’25.
FOOTBALL SQAD GUESTS OF T.P.I.A.A. AT BANQUET
On Friday evening, Dec. 4th, the Athletic Association entertained the members of the 1925 Football squad with an effective, well-planned banquet.
About forty couples were seated at a large T-shaped table, the decorations of which developed a gold and black color note.
A basket filled with an artistic arrangement of yellow Chrysanthemums and ferns was the central adornment of the table. Cut glass candlesticks holding gold and black tapers and smaller vases of Chrysanthemums and ferns, placed at intervals, further carried out the chosen colors motif. Miniature down-boxes were used as nut cups. The place cards were miniature football men in Tech uniforms. A delicious four-course menu was served.
Mr. T.W. Kittrell acted as toastmaster, and the program for the evening was as follows: ()
Review of Team of ’25 Coach Overall
Speaking of Outlook of ’26 Coach Smith
The Scrubs and Their Relation to Literary Works Dean Smith
Athletics on a Higher Plane Prof. McClanahan
Miscellaneous Talk Jess Clark
Relationship of Future of Athletic Pres. Smith
Charge to New Captain Capt. James Miller
Response --Captain of 1926 Eddie Watson
Retiring Capt. Miller presented the Coaches—Overall and Smith, with small remembrances from the Football Squad.
Letters were awarded members of the varsity. Eddie Watson, star left end of the team, was elected captain for next year.
This brilliant affair was a fitting, conclusion to one of the most successful football seasons in the history of Tech.
NEWS NOTES
On Friday, Nov. 20th., Dean Austin W. Smith, accompanied by Robert Rose, Willie Gentle and Robert E. Smith, who were on their way to the ball game at Lebanon, visited the High School at Alexandria. The entire morning was taken up with this visit and each of the visitors made a favorable report on the cordial reception of the faculty and student boy.
In his address before the student body Dean Smith took occasion to compliment the faculty on the excellent work being done in both the elementary and high school departments. Many progressive movements have been undertaken at this school during the past few years, one of which is to increase the already splendid library. All of the visitors were very much impressed with the program given by one of the societies and supervised by the faculty. The faculty has the confidence of the community as well as its cooperation which fact has enabled great things to be accomplished.
Miss Gladys Atwood, an old T.P.I. student, is very favorably remembered by those who taught her at T.P.I. one of the teachers in the Alexandria elementary school.
President Smith visited Carthage recently in the interest of Tech.
Dean Smith has been accused of being a raging Democrat since his chapel oration for the World Court.
A few more days of work before Christmas. Let’s make them count. School will be demised for holidays December 18th, and everyone will be off for a happy Christmas. Have a delightful time, and be back ready for work December 29th.
We are glad indeed to note that Mr. Passon’s father is improving, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
The deepest regret of the Campus girls is that Quentin, Jr., is not large enough to chauffeur his dad’s new Studebaker.
Frame your mind to mirth and merriment.
Which bars a thousand harms, and lengthens life. –Shakespeare.
Y.W.C.A. NOTES
The Y.W.C.A. sent two delegates to the Christian Students’ Conference at Chattanooga, Nov. 27, 1925. The delegates, Miss Auby Scott and Miss Ruth Weaver, reported the conference as being marked by enthusiasm and inspiring discussions.
The World Court was the main topic considered, the leaders and students strongly advocating America’s entering into it.
The President of the Y.W.C.A. at T.P.I. urges all students to study this important question in order that they may be prepared to vote intelligently on December 4.
When we are in the satisfaction of some innocent pleasure, or pursuit of some laudable design, we are in possession of life.
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.
It is the height of folly to throw up attempting because you have failed. Failures are wonderful elements in developing the character.
--Muller.
“But pleasures are like oppies spread—
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed.”
THE TECH ORACLE
Official Publication of the Students of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute\
Printed by the Herald Publishing Co. Entered as Second class matter at the Cookeville Postoffice, Cookeville, Tenn.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief Bryce D. Stone ‘26
Assistant Editor Edward McKay ‘27
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Athletics M. Douglas Robbins ‘27
Wit and Humor David Dow ‘29
Exchange Elizabeth Ensor ‘28
Classes Martha Sedivak ‘27
Society Shella Officer ‘29
Alumni Hazel Wall ‘27
Mary Crenshaw ’26 Literary Editor
Faculty Advisor Thos. L. Passons
BUSINESS
Business Manager Lee S. Darwin ‘27
Asst. Cir. Manager Nola Quarles ‘27
Subscription Rates $1.50 per year
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY
LIFE PURPOSE
The busy world shows angrily aside
The man who stands with arms akimbo set
Until occasion tells him what to do
And he who waits to have his task marked out
She’ll die and leave his errand unfulfilled
He who floats lazily down the stream in pursuit of something borne along by the same current, will find himself indeed moved forward; but unless he lays his hand to the oar and “speeds up” by his own labor, he must be always about the same distance from that which he is following. In the voyage of life we must not drift but steer.
Every youth should form, at the outset of his career, the solemn purpose to make the most and the best of the powers given him and to turn to the best possible account every outward advantage within his reach. This purpose must carry with it the assent of reason, the approval of the conscience and the sober judgement of the intellect. It should then embody within itself whatever is vehement in desire, inspiring in hope, thrilling in enthusiasm and intense in desperate resolve. Such a plan of life will save him from many a damaging contest with temptation. It will regulate his sports and recreations. Those who labor and study under the inspiration of such a purpose will soon soar out of sight of those who barely allow themselves to be carried along by the momentum of the machinery to which they are attached.
In nothing is childhood more strongly distinguished from manhood than in this, that the child has no purpose, no plan in life, no will by which his energies are directed. The man has his own purpose, his own plan, his own life and aim. The sorrowful experience of multitudes in this respect is that they are never men but children all their days. Think out your work then work out your thought. No one can pursue a worthy object, with all the powers of his mind, and make his life a failure. A man may work in the dark, yet one day light shall arise upon his labor; and though he may never with his own lips declare the victory complete someday others will behold in his life work the traces of a great and thinking mind.
What a different place this would be if other activities were given as much thought as Athletics. And yet it requires both sides to develop a student properly.
WHY GO TO COLLEGE?
As a variation from the regular contents of this column we are printing an article on the "Honor System." This is the system of student government in most of our large colleges- and as such should 'be of interest to any student who contemplates entering college.
—Editor.
WHAT DOES THE HONOR SYSTEM INVOLVE?
The term "honor system" is used to indicate the formal recognition and adoption by students and faculty of a system of mutual responsibility among students for honest scholastic work. The purpose of this system is to enlist the co-operation of students for the maintenance of fair play and honesty or preparation and performance of classroom activities.
The immediate and ultimate aims of the honor system which may be considered of most significance are: It rests fundamentally upon the initiative of undergraduates, and initiative always has potential good as a possibility: it is dependent upon unity of purpose and community of effort, which is another valuable asset when turned in the right direction: it tends to bring a frank and candid relation between the students and the administrative force of an institution: it tends toward increasing the loyalty to an institution, by strengthening public opinion in regard to the virtue of honesty: it increases individual responsibility, which may take a marked drop during college days: it breeds confidence and self-respect in similar situations: as a rule it appeals to the better class of students, and leads them to look at their own actions and the actions of other fellows from the point' of view of an adult: it utilizes the stronger characters to help bolster up the weaker ones.
Student government is a term used to indicate that the administration of the college, as far as student activities are concerned, is in the hands of students. The honors system is in reality a subdivision of student government and is usually an indication of a highly developed form a student government. It may cover all forms of student activities and conduct, or it may involve the examination only. However, it loses in efficiency when applied to too wide a range of activities. The operation of this system usually involves the signing of a pledge neither to give nor to receive help, but in some colleges it would be considered an insult to be asked to sign a pledge.
There is a considerable disagreement among the claimant for the credit of having initiated the first well-defined honor system in an educational institution of higher learning in this country. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, has almost universally been credited with being the originator. The faculty minutes of May 4. 18f2, show the formal adoption of the organized system in this institution.
The University of South Carolina. and the College of William, and Mary practiced the honor sys, tern in an informal way before 1842, but the University of Virginia was the first to inaugurate a definite system of control, legislation, and form of penalties.
According to a survey made in 1915, 123 institutions practice the honor system in all or a few departments. Some authorities claim that this system is more successful in small colleges than in large ones. In the larger universities, the honor system is independent of any form of student government. In the smaller colleges, it is the natural outgrowth of the participation of students in the direction and control of their various collegiate activities.
Many institutions have an honor system in vogue spirit but not in organization: while others favor it, but the sentiment is not sufficiently mature to put it into practice. The 123 institutions that are trying the system are its strongest advocates, and there has been a steady but marked tendency toward general adoption throughout this country. Some authorities regard the honor system as the only agency that will prevent cheating in examinations.
To secure the best results from any form of the honor system, both student and faculty sentiment should be in favor of its adoption and it is most successful when the initiative for' its adoption comes from the students. Students, must be willing to accept the obligation of reporting any - student who violates the system. Violations of 4 the honor system should consist of any attempt to receive assistance front written aids or from any person, or paper, or in any attempt to give assistance, whether the one so doing has completed his own paper or not.
Offenders must be treated kindly but justly. A cheating student dishonors his whole class and lowers the tone of the college. It is. the duty of the students of the college where this system is practiced to see that no dishonest paper ever goes into the hands of an instructor and to make it impossible for stolen work to receive credit or for hilt to remain permanently in the college. An administrative council, composed of students and faculty, should give decisions on violations of this system. Final jurisdiction in regard to penalties is very successfully administered in a number of large institutions by the students but in general it is better to have this power rest ultimately with the faculty or the board of trustees. There must be hearty cooperation between students and () faculty. In adopting the honor system the students are given to understand that the faculty assume that they can be trusted. Therefore, the instructor may or may not be present during the examination. If he is present, he is there the purpose of giving instructions and making the examination dear.
It is not possible to recommend a single type of constitution for organization of 'the hem& system, hut 'the constitution and by-laws should be short, simple, and definite, since new and untried students must be educated yearly. Likewise every two or three years.
The people who oppose the honor system are greatly in the minority. Their chief arguments against it may be summed up as follows: Classroom honesty is an academic matter; some people believe, therefore, that it should be under faculty jurisdiction and control. Some executives do not care to give. more control to students since these duties are difficult to define and Lake the students' time from the regular studies. Students contend also that it tends to burden the better or more honest students with the shortcomings of the delinquent ones. In some communities there is a sentiment that signing a pledge implies dishonesty, and in many institutions there is still a feeling that individual honor does not involve the reporting of theft and dishonest on the part of others. Some large institutions have such a cosmopolitan group of students that homogeneity in the classroom ideals is difficult to secure and maintain small institutions have younger preparatory students to include in their regulations.
But, on the other hand. a large majority of the college and university authorities have the same idea as Prof. Edward S. Joyner of the University of South Carolina who wrote that "the only true system for the education of a gentleman by gentlemen is the honor system—that is, the system of mutual respect and confidence."
The success of the honor system is due in the main to the natural desires of the students to formulate ideals for themselves, the interest for co-operative activity and teamwork and the pride involved in creating college public sentiment and college loyalty.
NOTICE—In making up the first page we accidentally got five lines of the basketball write-up at the foot of the first column story of the Glee Clubs, omitting these five lines the story read right on. –Printer.
PALLADIAN LITERARY SOCIETY
Whereas, God in his infinite wisdom has seen' fit to call from earth the father of our, beloved society member, Charlotte Watson; and,
Whereas, we deem it fitting and proper that we should give expression to our love and affection for her in her bereavement in the form of resolution;
Therefore, be it resolved;
That we the members of the Palladian Literary Society desire to express our genuine appreciation for her and to extend our sympathy to her and her mother.
Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family a copy to the press, and a copy spread on the minutes of the society.
HAZEL WALL, Chairman,
MARTHA SEDIVAK,
REBECCA JOHNSTON,
MARY ELLEN SHANKS,
Committee on Resolutions.
December 2, 1925
SHERWOOD
Sherwood Literary Society met in the regular meeting room, Monday Nov. 30th, 1925th, and rendered the following program;
Invocation –Bill Gentle
The roll was answered with a Bible quotation.
Debate; resolved, that the development of a pleasing personality while in college is more important than the acquisition of facts.
Affirmative –Alvin Jackson, Tim Huddleston.
Negative—A. Clark, Jack Morrison
Current Events.
BELLES LETTRES
In spite of the fact that about half our girls are preparing to entertain "Professor Pepp" in the near future, we had a very interesting, though impromptu, program on Nov. 30, Often an informal meeting calls forth more activity and arouses more enthusiasm than the regulation program.
Let's each act as a committee of one solely responsible for the advertising of "Professor Pepp." Tell everybody and send word to the rest.
UPPER CUMBERLAND
The Upper Cumberland Society met in its regular meeting room Monday, Nov. 30th. This day had been set aside •for the election of officers for the coming term the following officers were elected:
Jesse R. Clark President.
Earl Tipps Vice-President
Wm. S. Massa Secretary
Robert E. Smith Treasurer
Monroe Powers Attorney-General
Sewell Brown Sergeant-at-Arms
Douglas Robbins Critic
Each elected officer expressed his appreciation and promised to serve to the best of his ability.
With such a body of officers as we now have, next term promises to be one of the best in the history of our society. We wish to express our appreciation for the retiring officers, as they have served faithfully and well.
Let's go Upper Cumberlands and make the spirit ring.
PALLADIAN SOCIETY
The Palladian Society dispenses with their regular Monday afternoon program and elected the following officers for the second term;
Pres Martha Sedivak
Vice-Pres Rozelle Pendergrass
Secretary Elise Gregory
Treasurer Agnes Greenwood
Critic Hazel Wall
Yell Leader Louise Woods
With these competent leaders, the work of the society during the second term will be promoted.
JOKES
Elsic –What is the matter with your hand?
Puckett –I was down town getting some cigarettes and some bum stepped on it.
Martha (at Football game) –So the players wear numbers for their identification.
Dan –Yes.
Martha – I didn’t know they were killed enough for that.
Merrill –Will you marry me?
Dan –Yes.
Merrill –But the doctor says my life will be short.
Dan –Is it insured?
Mary Ellen Shanks –Eddie, what are you going to give me for Christmas?
Eddie –Close your eyes. (She closes her eyes). Now what do you see?
Mary ellen –Nothing.
Eddie –Well that’s what you are going to get.
Health Inspector –Is this a fraternity house?
Senior –Yes.
Health Inspector –Are there any rats around?
Senior –No, they died of starvation.
Victim –you’ve pulled three teeth. I only wanted one pulled
Dentist –Yes, Yes, we gave you a bit too much gas a I didn’t want to waste it.
Man in speeding car –High fence isn’t it?
Driver –that’s no fence, them’s telephone poles.
Rose –I had a tooth pulled this morning.
Clark –did you have an anesthetic?
Rose—No, a toothache.
title:
The Oracle, Volume 003, Number 05
creator:
Tennessee Technological University
subject:
College student newspapers and periodicals
subject:
Tennessee Polytechnic Institute
subject:
Tennessee Technological University
subject:
Junior colleges
subject:
Glee clubs
subject:
Glee Club (Tennessee Technological University)
subject:
College students Societies, etc.
subject:
Literature Societies, etc.
subject:
Young Women's Christian Association of the U.S.A.
subject:
Basketball
subject:
Football
subject:
College sports
subject:
Humor
subject:
Universities and colleges Chapel exercises
subject:
College and school drama
description:
Volume 003, Description 05 of The Tech Oracle student newspaper.Transcript: THE TECH ORACLETECH STUDETNS FAVOR WORLD COURTVote Taken Friday at Chapel Assembly The Tech student body voted on the World Court question at the regular Chapel assembly on Friday, December 4. About 65 per cent of the students voted on the question 92 per cent of those voting favored United States participation in the Court, while 8 per cent were opposed. Through the student Christian Associations the results of this voting will be forwarded to The New Student where the returns from colleges all over the nation will be tabulated. This consensus of student opinion will be laid before congress when it begins a discussion of the World Court, on December 17th.“TWELFTH NIGHT” As is announced elsewhere in this paper, the college department has chosen “Twelfth Night” for the annual presentation of Shakespearean drama. While the play will hardly be given before commencement, elaborate plans are already under way for the event. As an inducement to attendance from the surrounding towns, those coming from each town will be assigned a section of seats in the auditorium, especially decorated for their delegation. To all communities represented by ten or more people, a prize will be given and a special award will be made to the largest delegation. The above is but a small part of the plan which is to make of “Twelfth Night” the most phenomenal success of anything ever attempted by Tech students. Characters for the play are being selected now and real work will begin after the holidays are over. Messrs. McClanahan and Passons will direct the play. (A column in each succeeding Description of the Oracle will contain information relating to “Twelfth Night.” Read it. –Editor.)GLEE CLUBSIN CONCERT There are three Glee Clubs at T.P.I. this year –A girls’ Glee Club, a boys’ Glee Club, and a mixed chorus –all are working regularly each week. Girls’ Glee Club The Girls Glee Club started early with a good membership and has been doing good work. Those belongings to this club are: Mary Ellen Rash, jessie Barnes, Amy Shipley, Elsie Young, Beulah Clark, Muriel Gibson, Elise Gregory, Mary Ellen Shanks, Virginia Wilcox, Louise Wood, Emily Stanton, Agnes Greenwood, Thelma McCormick, Elizabeth Hargis, Lucille Cameron. Boys’ Glee Club The Boys’ Glee Club was organized later in the term. Some good voices are beginning to show up as the work progresses. This club boasts two members of the faculty, Mr. Hilliard and Mr. McClanahan. Mr. McClanahan, who has had a great deal of experience with glee from Calhoun: Davis, a guard from Shop Springs High. The others trying out are the two Stringfield brothers, and R. Robbins, guards; and Johnson, Snyder, M.L. () club is assisting Miss Stanton I the direction of the work. The following are members: Luther Puckett, Gradys Winningham, Mr. Hilliard, Mr. McClanahan, George Lewis, Otto Masters, Ray Baker, Thurston Tipps, Alvin Jackson, Armon Clark, Eugen Wood. Mixed Chorus The mixed chorus was formed by combining the Boys’ and Girls’ Glee Clubs. This organization will do some concert work during the year. Their first appearance will be at the City School auditorium Dec. 11. On a program under the auspices of the Cookeville Music Club. The Girls’ Glee Club will also appear on this program. Orchestra The School Orchestra will take on different timbre this year. There are stringed instruments to take the place of the wind instruments that we had last year. We lost several of our members of last year to other institutions but the new members are working hard to make this year’s orchestra the best one T.P.I. has ever had. The Personnel is as follows: Violins –Mr. Hillard, Kathleen Gibson, Agnes Greenwood, Mary Ellen Shanks. Guitar –Beulah Clark. Mandolin –Fred Tardy. Trumpet –Clem Allen Womack. Drums –Albert Brogden. Piano and Director –Miss Stanton. COLLEGE DEPARTMENT At a recent meeting of the United College Classes the following business was transacted. Mr. Davis Chairman of the committee for the selection of the Shakespearean play reported that the committee had decided upon “Twelfth Night.” This play is to be presented some time during the spring term by the College Department. It was suggested by Mr. Darwin that the balance of the money realizes on last year’s play be used for the floral tribute sent by the T-Club at the death of our schoolmate, Louis B. Lefevre. All the members were urged to be getting up enthusiasm for an Annual this year. We are attending a real school, let’s have all that goes with it. BASKETBAL SQUAD BEGINS PRACTICECoaches Report Splendid Material for Team On Monday, Nov. 30th, varsity basketball practice was begun in earnest and about twenty men have been responding to the call each day since. Five letter men on last year’s team are here working out daily –Jobe, Watson, Poteet, Winningham and Carr –and Alcorn, a very efficient guard also of last year’s team, will arrive in a few weeks. The worth of these men are well known to Tech followers. Jobe, at center, was the equal of any man who opposed him in jumping. He can also play any position with as equal ease. Watson is a good shot. Poteet is a very fast forward and good at close shots. Winningham last year alternated at guard and center. He is capable of playing any position with equal ability. He is a good floor-working, fairly good at distance, and excellent on close-ups. Carr was a substitute on last year’s squad, but is showing up better this year and promises to give somebody a hard fight for a regular position. Cooper, captain of the team of 1923-24, and one of the best guards ever seen on the local court, is out and certain of a varsity berth. Moss, tall center on last year’s U.T. Freshmen team, promises to make one of the best centers Tech ever had. Outside of these two, who stand out above the lot, there are among the newcomers, Little speed, guard from Livingston academy.: Lewis, a fast but light forward, and Whittaker, forward. () from Calhound; Davis, a guard from Shop Springs High. The others trying out are the two Stringfield brothers and R. Robins. Guards: and Johnson, Snyder, M.L. Robbins and Burrows, forwards. Only eight games on the schedule have been definitely settled, but more are being arranged. Among the teams to be played this season are Cumberland, Bethel, Ogden, Carson-Newman, King College, East Tennessee Teacher’s College, Milligan, Cincinnati Surety Co., Bowling Green Business University, Western Kentucky Normally, and Middle Tennessee Teachers College. The complete schedule will be given in the next Description of the Oracle. CO-ED BASKETBALL For over a month the co-ed basketball squad of about thirty players have been going thru preliminary practice. The squad has now been cut to thirteen, the number that will be carried all seaso and is comprised of the following girls: Misses Shipley, Cassety, Annie Pearl Whitson, and Van Hooser, forwards. Of these girls, Miss Shipley, Cassety, Annie Pearl Whitson, and Van Hooser, forwards. Of these girls, Miss Shipley is the only one who has seen extensive service and is one of the best in the state. The guards are Misses Lucile Moore, McKrel, Cornwell, and Peters. Miss Moore and Miss McKeel received letters last year and are experienced players—Miss Moore being exceptionally good and Miss McKeel not far behind. The centers are Misses Lucy Whitson, Barnes, Starnes and Marguerite Moore Miss Whitson is by far the best of the lot and with good training should make one of the best in the state. The Co-ed schedule is also indefinite, but plans are being made for six games away and five at home. Among the teams to be played are Carson-Newman, E.T.T.C. Maryville. M.T.T.C., Cumberland Peabody and possibly Alabama Normal, where Miss Jobe is now coaching. PROFESSOR PEPP On Thursday evening, Dec. 17th, the much heralded visit of Professor Pepp to Cookeville will become a reality. Professor Pepp will appear at the city aschool auditorium of the above named date, in the person of one, J. Leslie Myers, who will be acocompanied by fifteen other enthusiastic Sherwoods and Belles Lettres, including in the cast. The nervous hysteria of Professor Pepp, the ludicrous absurdities of the Butterfly Buttonbuster, and the clownish antics of Sim Batty (C.W. Davis), the town constable show the prevailing mood of the play which is full of fun from beginning to end. Time—Three days in September. Place—A small College town. Time of Performance—Two Hours and Twenty minutes Admission—Adults 35c children 25c Doors Open—7 o’clock Play Begins—8 o’clockSOMETHING DIFFERENT Tech students seldom become bored with Chapel exercises. Fortunately this year we have been pleasantly entertained at Chapel by moving pictures, music, speeches, and interpretations of dances. It remained to Miss McClanahan’s physical education department to give us the most spicely different program of the season. On Nov. 26, at chapel a number of graceful and beautifully attired young damsels held intense attention of the student body for twenty whole minutes. We watched with great interest the almost forgotten dances so popular with other generations. The first dancer was that of the Irish Wash Woman, a hilariously funny dance involving a comical harmony of movements and a dizzy series of gyrations and oscillations. The three dances that follows were Skater’s Shattiche, Old Rustic, and the Sailor’s Hornpipe. These dances were much enjoyed, and the () student body called repeatedly for encores. Miss McClanahan and the girls who participated in the dances are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the program. The physical education classes can always be depended upon to give a different and amusing program. We are looking forward to being entertained by them at others times. NEWS FROM OTHER COLLEGES At Antioch College, the results of a study of the effects of smoking upon scholarship has been announced. The conclusions drawn were that, while there are no permanent effects of smoking upon blood pressure, lung capacity, or pulse rate, a definite relationship exists between smoking and low scholarship. Among the men students 31.8 per cent of non-smokers fail to maintain required grades, while 62.3 per cent of heavy smokers similarly fail. Inhalers fail most often. Of the 23 men dismissed from Antioch last year for scholarship, 20 were smokers. The working student does not always sacrifice his scholarship, as might be supposed. Forty-four percent of the honor students graduating from the undergraduate schools of Yale University, last June were students working their way through college. What is to be done with the $2,500 bequest of Emily J. Bryant, recently turned down by the Trustees of Vassar College? The money was to have been used as a scholarship find for students who played cards. It was declined on the ground that Vassar, an educational institution, cannot accept gifts placing restrictions upon the students’ personal or social behavior. Last year a student curricular committee at Hood College, Mary () land surveyed the college education system. Last May the committee submitted a report to the faculty, recommending a plan of class cuts for students with B grades or over. After a week of undergraduate discussion Yale College voted overwhelmingly for abolishing the compulsory feature of chapel. Two days of balloting resulted in a vote of 1681 for 241 against. By a 3 to 1 majority the faculty also expressed their disapproval of the institution. Students of Rutgers College, New Jersey, have voted to abolish the Honor System. Failure of the plan throughout most of its five years of existence is given as reason for the action. Enterprising radio fans at Harvard College, Pa., are planning an international intercollegiate chess match with the University of Argentine. Last year a match was arranged with Oxford University but was called off when nearly half completed by the British Government, because the University radio men’s license permitted the transmitting of experimental work only. At Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut Malcolm Stevenson, managing editor of The Tripod, student publication, rebelled –and was suspended from college for a month. His Offense: editorial criticism of a statement by Dean Edward Troxell in a chapel speech. Dean Troxell said, “Our duty in college is to disregard the individual and to turn out a Trinity type.” In commenting on this Stevenson declared, “Better a radical with a beard and a bomb than a type-a goosestepper—a man without brains enough or courage enough to declare himself.” The oldest journalism school in the United States, founded in 1869, at Washington and Lee University at the time Robert E. Lee was president, has recently been reestablished. HOW WE KNOW ‘EM It wouldn’t be “Powers” if he didn’t want to know how many credits he was making, or to borrow a U.T. catalogue. It wouldn’t be “Jess Clark” if he didn’t run thru the doors when the dinner bells rings. It wouldn’t be “Tipps” if he didn’t want to bum a chew of tobacco. It wouldn’t be “Louise Woods” if she wasn’t acting goofy. It wouldn’t be “Brownie” if he wasn’t calling respiration –aspiration. It wouldn’t be “Mrs. Morton” if she wasn’t trying to be hard-boiled. It wouldn’t be “C.W. Davis” if he wasn’t pleading with the waiters to bring on more eats. It wouldn’t be “Amy Shipley” if she wasn’t arguing with “Mr. Me” in Psychology class. It wouldn’t be “Robert Rose” if he didn’t always have a bad smelling pipe in his mouth. Everything that is great in life is the product of slow growth; the newer, the greater, the higher, and the nobler the work, the slower is its growth, the surer is its lasting success. Mushrooms attain their full power in a night; oaks require decades. A fad lives its life in a few weeks; a philosophy through generations and centuries. –Jordan. One of the things in life which we use the most and value the least is language. It is the distinction of our race, our highest prerogative, the instrument of our progress. It is the bond of brotherhood, too, and the body in which truth becomes incarnate. The thought history of the race is written in the very structure of its speech; and a language or a dialect is as significant of great social forces now long spent as the strata of the earth’s surface are concerns seismic energies. –Adams. “The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and educational advantages; the questions is what he will do with what he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he leaves the corner stone of a solid and honorable success.” “Half the giant’s strength is in the conviction that he is a giant. The strength of a muscle is enhanced a hundredfold by the willpower. The same muscle, when removed from the giant’s arm, when divorced from the force of the might will, can sustain but a fraction of the weight it did a moment before it was disconnected. When we have practiced good actions awhile, they become easy; when they are easy, we take pleasure in them; when they please us, we do them frequently,; and then, by frequency of act, they grow into habit. –Tillotson. Seventy-six percent of all men students and thirty eight per cent of all women students at the University of Nebraska are wholly or partially self-supporting. Exclusive of the College of Law, the average expenditure per student for the nine months is shown by a recent survey to be $714.66 for the men and $714.66. Time’s the king of men. For he’s their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they crave. --Shakespeare.CONSOLING PHILOSPHY It is better to have loved and lost than to get married and be bossed.THAT CUMBERLAND GAME In a previous Description of the Oracle an advance notice on the Tech-Cumberland game under the above heading was given and we were very optimistic of the results. In this Description under the same title we are attempting to tell—How We Lost. If view points are to be given as to why we lost, it might first be said that we had no game the preceding week, and as a consequence the team relaxed in its training. And, if the true be told, such was the case and part of the cause. Then we might say that Cumberland got all the breaks and as a consequence our morale was broken. And, if we speak alright, such was the case and part of the cause. Then we might say that Cumberland got all the breaks and as a consequence our morale was broken. And, if we speak alright, such was the case and part of the cause. And again as a consequence deserved to have won. And, again we say, such was the case and part of the cause. And so on and so on, far, far, into the ink of football blackness. But that’s not so bad! Remember King College! And for fear somebody isn’t inclined to interpret this article in the right spirit, Remember Pleasant Hill! () To get down to plain facts, after waiving the more or less nonsense above. Tech lost the game partly because she didn’t play football, play it for all there is in there, as she did against M.T.T.C. and hard enough to at least have lowered the score by a big majority, and partly because of Singleton –the versatile half-back, who punts, run, passes, and does anything else with seemingly equal ease, and who is possibly the equal of any half in the South. Captain Miller, playing his last game for Tech was outstanding in his efforts to stem the tide, but had to be taken out because of injuries in the third quarter. It seemed that he and Jobe were the only ones who were actually doing all they were capable of. Outside of these few things that was about all there was to it. By the way, in passing, we forgot to mention that the score was 51 to 0. Line-UpTech CumberlandWatson L.E. HicksBrown L.T. ChastainMoss L.G. SimsClark, J. C. HumphriesMiller R.G. VadenWilson R.T. MartinDavis, C. R.E. WessonHughes Q.B. SingletonStarnes L.H. HaneyDowell R.H. CockrillJobe F.B. YearginREVIEW OF FOOTBALL 1925 There are some who will say that Tech’s 1925 football season was a failure and there are some, of course, who will say that it was a success. The writer is of the opinion that is was a very successful one. Measured, even in terms of the number of games won, it should be counted successful, for any team who wins half of its scheduled games has certainly had a successful reason. But this is not all. A method of coaching –new to Tech, and which bespeaks greater results for the future—was begun, and a most satisfactory beginning it was. And yet not all. The fine spirit of harmony and team-work which was prevalent after the first game is sure to be beneficent to the men themselves and to call forth cherished memories in after years. In the first game of the season we were defeated by Gallatin Private Institute 14 to 0. The game was played on a muddy field, but instead of sticking to straight football, as might have been expected. Gallatin brought out something we were unable to cope with all season () a well ordered passing attack which proved our undoing. However, the game brought out many defects in the team and served to make it a more efficient machine for future opponents. The next week we completely smothered Castle Heights 54 to 0 and thus avenged our defeat at their hands the previous season. The following week we journeyed to Bowling Green, and by general alertness and smart football, played a perfect score on the gridiron keyboard to the tune of 12 to 6, at Ogden’s expense. Ogden had previously beaten Cumberland 6 to 3. The week afterwards was the big game of the season and we were determined to stop the much talked of “Teachers” of Middle Tennessee. We did—but they stopped us also. The score was 0 to 0 and was the result of one of the best games ever seen on the local field. The next week the team went to Russellville, Ky., for a game with Bethel but because of a deep snow the game was called off—much to the satisfaction of the Bethel coach—so it seemed. The following week we journeyed to Madisonville for a game with Hiwassee. The bunch won the game 39 to 2 mainly thru the efforts and success of Watson in receiving passes and of Jobe in ploughing the line at will. The next week, due to a misunderstanding with the Sewanee Freshmen, no game was played, and that it proved very disastrous the following week was easily to be seen. This game, the last of the season, was played with Cumberland, who crushed us under an avalanche of passes 51 to 0. Cumberland had the better team and deserves to win, but by not more than three touchdowns. It was a plain case of giving up after a few breaks went to the opposing team. If the team had given Cumberland the battle it gave M.T.T.C., the score would certainly have been much lower, probably in our favor –Singleton notwithstanding. Football ScoresTech 0 Oct. 2 G.P.I. 14Tech 55 Oct. 9 Castle Hts. 0Tech 12 Oct. 17 Ogden 6Tech 0 Oct. 23 M.T.T.C. 0Tech 39 Nov. 7 Hiwassee 2Tech 0 Nov. 20 Cumberland 51 OUR FOOTBALL TEAM There are football teams and other football teams. Which should a school prefer, a team composed of eleven brutes who massacre their opponents with an avalanche of touchdowns, or a hard fighting team composed of gentlemen who can both win and lose with the same old ready smile? Any college would prefer the latter kind of team, and that is the type of football team that has represented T.P.I. this season. There was no place for a quitter on this team. There was no place for a coward or for the player who fights only for self glory. Every man on the team at all times did his best and when it became necessary, a little more for the team and T.P.I. The work of no player was characterized by anything low or dirty or foul. No player tried attain individual stardom. There was no a player who did not at all times have the interest of the team first in his heart. It has never been our pleasure to have associated with a cleaner group of gentlemen than the men on the team of ’25. () What more could be said of a team? Scores made on the gridiron are soon forgotten. Forgotten, too, are the great stars and their imposing records. But lessons learned on the gridiron are always remembered long after the stars have faded away. We on the sidelines never know the priceless things that a football player learns. Football players win victories over themselves that we never see. Students in a large university are never conscious of the self-denial made by the fellows who play football. But our team is a part of us. That is why we appreciate our team so much. That is why we compliment our players so highly; ad we know whereof we speak. Much of the team’s success is due to the efforts of coaches Overall and Smith. Instead of teaching the players to fight with a brutal ferocity, the coaches have succeeded in instilling the fighting spirit of real men into the players and in bringing out their qualities of true sportsmanship. Although our team won no championships, the players won hosts of friends and admirers whenever they appeared. The team which can stand victory and which can lose without “beefing” never knows the bitterness of defeat. There is nothing but victory. In conclusion it can be truthfully said that no other team has ever won its way into the hearts of the students of Tech as has this hard fighting team of ’25. FOOTBALL SQAD GUESTS OF T.P.I.A.A. AT BANQUET On Friday evening, Dec. 4th, the Athletic Association entertained the members of the 1925 Football squad with an effective, well-planned banquet. About forty couples were seated at a large T-shaped table, the decorations of which developed a gold and black color note. A basket filled with an artistic arrangement of yellow Chrysanthemums and ferns was the central adornment of the table. Cut glass candlesticks holding gold and black tapers and smaller vases of Chrysanthemums and ferns, placed at intervals, further carried out the chosen colors motif. Miniature down-boxes were used as nut cups. The place cards were miniature football men in Tech uniforms. A delicious four-course menu was served. Mr. T.W. Kittrell acted as toastmaster, and the program for the evening was as follows: () Review of Team of ’25 Coach OverallSpeaking of Outlook of ’26 Coach SmithThe Scrubs and Their Relation to Literary Works Dean Smith Athletics on a Higher Plane Prof. McClanahanMiscellaneous Talk Jess ClarkRelationship of Future of Athletic Pres. SmithCharge to New Captain Capt. James MillerResponse --Captain of 1926 Eddie WatsonRetiring Capt. Miller presented the Coaches—Overall and Smith, with small remembrances from the Football Squad. Letters were awarded members of the varsity. Eddie Watson, star left end of the team, was elected captain for next year. This brilliant affair was a fitting, conclusion to one of the most successful football seasons in the history of Tech.NEWS NOTES On Friday, Nov. 20th., Dean Austin W. Smith, accompanied by Robert Rose, Willie Gentle and Robert E. Smith, who were on their way to the ball game at Lebanon, visited the High School at Alexandria. The entire morning was taken up with this visit and each of the visitors made a favorable report on the cordial reception of the faculty and student boy. In his address before the student body Dean Smith took occasion to compliment the faculty on the excellent work being done in both the elementary and high school departments. Many progressive movements have been undertaken at this school during the past few years, one of which is to increase the already splendid library. All of the visitors were very much impressed with the program given by one of the societies and supervised by the faculty. The faculty has the confidence of the community as well as its cooperation which fact has enabled great things to be accomplished. Miss Gladys Atwood, an old T.P.I. student, is very favorably remembered by those who taught her at T.P.I. one of the teachers in the Alexandria elementary school. President Smith visited Carthage recently in the interest of Tech. Dean Smith has been accused of being a raging Democrat since his chapel oration for the World Court. A few more days of work before Christmas. Let’s make them count. School will be demised for holidays December 18th, and everyone will be off for a happy Christmas. Have a delightful time, and be back ready for work December 29th. We are glad indeed to note that Mr. Passon’s father is improving, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The deepest regret of the Campus girls is that Quentin, Jr., is not large enough to chauffeur his dad’s new Studebaker.Frame your mind to mirth and merriment.Which bars a thousand harms, and lengthens life. –Shakespeare. Y.W.C.A. NOTES The Y.W.C.A. sent two delegates to the Christian Students’ Conference at Chattanooga, Nov. 27, 1925. The delegates, Miss Auby Scott and Miss Ruth Weaver, reported the conference as being marked by enthusiasm and inspiring discussions. The World Court was the main topic considered, the leaders and students strongly advocating America’s entering into it. The President of the Y.W.C.A. at T.P.I. urges all students to study this important question in order that they may be prepared to vote intelligently on December 4. When we are in the satisfaction of some innocent pleasure, or pursuit of some laudable design, we are in possession of life. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. It is the height of folly to throw up attempting because you have failed. Failures are wonderful elements in developing the character. --Muller.“But pleasures are like oppies spread—You seize the flower, its bloom is shed.”THE TECH ORACLEOfficial Publication of the Students of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute\Printed by the Herald Publishing Co. Entered as Second class matter at the Cookeville Postoffice, Cookeville, Tenn.EDITORIAL STAFFEditor-in-Chief Bryce D. Stone ‘26Assistant Editor Edward McKay ‘27ASSOCIATE EDITORS Athletics M. Douglas Robbins ‘27Wit and Humor David Dow ‘29Exchange Elizabeth Ensor ‘28Classes Martha Sedivak ‘27Society Shella Officer ‘29Alumni Hazel Wall ‘27Mary Crenshaw ’26 Literary EditorFaculty Advisor Thos. L. PassonsBUSINESSBusiness Manager Lee S. Darwin ‘27Asst. Cir. Manager Nola Quarles ‘27Subscription Rates $1.50 per yearPUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY LIFE PURPOSEThe busy world shows angrily aside The man who stands with arms akimbo setUntil occasion tells him what to doAnd he who waits to have his task marked outShe’ll die and leave his errand unfulfilled He who floats lazily down the stream in pursuit of something borne along by the same current, will find himself indeed moved forward; but unless he lays his hand to the oar and “speeds up” by his own labor, he must be always about the same distance from that which he is following. In the voyage of life we must not drift but steer. Every youth should form, at the outset of his career, the solemn purpose to make the most and the best of the powers given him and to turn to the best possible account every outward advantage within his reach. This purpose must carry with it the assent of reason, the approval of the conscience and the sober judgement of the intellect. It should then embody within itself whatever is vehement in desire, inspiring in hope, thrilling in enthusiasm and intense in desperate resolve. Such a plan of life will save him from many a damaging contest with temptation. It will regulate his sports and recreations. Those who labor and study under the inspiration of such a purpose will soon soar out of sight of those who barely allow themselves to be carried along by the momentum of the machinery to which they are attached. In nothing is childhood more strongly distinguished from manhood than in this, that the child has no purpose, no plan in life, no will by which his energies are directed. The man has his own purpose, his own plan, his own life and aim. The sorrowful experience of multitudes in this respect is that they are never men but children all their days. Think out your work then work out your thought. No one can pursue a worthy object, with all the powers of his mind, and make his life a failure. A man may work in the dark, yet one day light shall arise upon his labor; and though he may never with his own lips declare the victory complete someday others will behold in his life work the traces of a great and thinking mind. What a different place this would be if other activities were given as much thought as Athletics. And yet it requires both sides to develop a student properly. WHY GO TO COLLEGE? As a variation from the regular contents of this column we are printing an article on the "Honor System." This is the system of student government in most of our large colleges- and as such should 'be of interest to any student who contemplates entering college. —Editor.WHAT DOES THE HONOR SYSTEM INVOLVE?The term "honor system" is used to indicate the formal recognition and adoption by students and faculty of a system of mutual responsibility among students for honest scholastic work. The purpose of this system is to enlist the co-operation of students for the maintenance of fair play and honesty or preparation and performance of classroom activities.The immediate and ultimate aims of the honor system which may be considered of most significance are: It rests fundamentally upon the initiative of undergraduates, and initiative always has potential good as a possibility: it is dependent upon unity of purpose and community of effort, which is another valuable asset when turned in the right direction: it tends to bring a frank and candid relation between the students and the administrative force of an institution: it tends toward increasing the loyalty to an institution, by strengthening public opinion in regard to the virtue of honesty: it increases individual responsibility, which may take a marked drop during college days: it breeds confidence and self-respect in similar situations: as a rule it appeals to the better class of students, and leads them to look at their own actions and the actions of other fellows from the point' of view of an adult: it utilizes the stronger characters to help bolster up the weaker ones.Student government is a term used to indicate that the administration of the college, as far as student activities are concerned, is in the hands of students. The honors system is in reality a subdivision of student government and is usually an indication of a highly developed form a student government. It may cover all forms of student activities and conduct, or it may involve the examination only. However, it loses in efficiency when applied to too wide a range of activities. The operation of this system usually involves the signing of a pledge neither to give nor to receive help, but in some colleges it would be considered an insult to be asked to sign a pledge.There is a considerable disagreement among the claimant for the credit of having initiated the first well-defined honor system in an educational institution of higher learning in this country. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, has almost universally been credited with being the originator. The faculty minutes of May 4. 18f2, show the formal adoption of the organized system in this institution.The University of South Carolina. and the College of William, and Mary practiced the honor sys, tern in an informal way before 1842, but the University of Virginia was the first to inaugurate a definite system of control, legislation, and form of penalties.According to a survey made in 1915, 123 institutions practice the honor system in all or a few departments. Some authorities claim that this system is more successful in small colleges than in large ones. In the larger universities, the honor system is independent of any form of student government. In the smaller colleges, it is the natural outgrowth of the participation of students in the direction and control of their various collegiate activities.Many institutions have an honor system in vogue spirit but not in organization: while others favor it, but the sentiment is not sufficiently mature to put it into practice. The 123 institutions that are trying the system are its strongest advocates, and there has been a steady but marked tendency toward general adoption throughout this country. Some authorities regard the honor system as the only agency that will prevent cheating in examinations.To secure the best results from any form of the honor system, both student and faculty sentiment should be in favor of its adoption and it is most successful when the initiative for' its adoption comes from the students. Students, must be willing to accept the obligation of reporting any - student who violates the system. Violations of 4 the honor system should consist of any attempt to receive assistance front written aids or from any person, or paper, or in any attempt to give assistance, whether the one so doing has completed his own paper or not.Offenders must be treated kindly but justly. A cheating student dishonors his whole class and lowers the tone of the college. It is. the duty of the students of the college where this system is practiced to see that no dishonest paper ever goes into the hands of an instructor and to make it impossible for stolen work to receive credit or for hilt to remain permanently in the college. An administrative council, composed of students and faculty, should give decisions on violations of this system. Final jurisdiction in regard to penalties is very successfully administered in a number of large institutions by the students but in general it is better to have this power rest ultimately with the faculty or the board of trustees. There must be hearty cooperation between students and () faculty. In adopting the honor system the students are given to understand that the faculty assume that they can be trusted. Therefore, the instructor may or may not be present during the examination. If he is present, he is there the purpose of giving instructions and making the examination dear. It is not possible to recommend a single type of constitution for organization of 'the hem& system, hut 'the constitution and by-laws should be short, simple, and definite, since new and untried students must be educated yearly. Likewise every two or three years.The people who oppose the honor system are greatly in the minority. Their chief arguments against it may be summed up as follows: Classroom honesty is an academic matter; some people believe, therefore, that it should be under faculty jurisdiction and control. Some executives do not care to give. more control to students since these duties are difficult to define and Lake the students' time from the regular studies. Students contend also that it tends to burden the better or more honest students with the shortcomings of the delinquent ones. In some communities there is a sentiment that signing a pledge implies dishonesty, and in many institutions there is still a feeling that individual honor does not involve the reporting of theft and dishonest on the part of others. Some large institutions have such a cosmopolitan group of students that homogeneity in the classroom ideals is difficult to secure and maintain small institutions have younger preparatory students to include in their regulations.But, on the other hand. a large majority of the college and university authorities have the same idea as Prof. Edward S. Joyner of the University of South Carolina who wrote that "the only true system for the education of a gentleman by gentlemen is the honor system—that is, the system of mutual respect and confidence."The success of the honor system is due in the main to the natural desires of the students to formulate ideals for themselves, the interest for co-operative activity and teamwork and the pride involved in creating college public sentiment and college loyalty.NOTICE—In making up the first page we accidentally got five lines of the basketball write-up at the foot of the first column story of the Glee Clubs, omitting these five lines the story read right on. –Printer. PALLADIAN LITERARY SOCIETY Whereas, God in his infinite wisdom has seen' fit to call from earth the father of our, beloved society member, Charlotte Watson; and,Whereas, we deem it fitting and proper that we should give expression to our love and affection for her in her bereavement in the form of resolution;Therefore, be it resolved;That we the members of the Palladian Literary Society desire to express our genuine appreciation for her and to extend our sympathy to her and her mother.Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family a copy to the press, and a copy spread on the minutes of the society. HAZEL WALL, Chairman,MARTHA SEDIVAK,REBECCA JOHNSTON,MARY ELLEN SHANKS,Committee on Resolutions.December 2, 1925SHERWOOD Sherwood Literary Society met in the regular meeting room, Monday Nov. 30th, 1925th, and rendered the following program; Invocation –Bill Gentle The roll was answered with a Bible quotation. Debate; resolved, that the development of a pleasing personality while in college is more important than the acquisition of facts. Affirmative –Alvin Jackson, Tim Huddleston. Negative—A. Clark, Jack Morrison Current Events. BELLES LETTRES In spite of the fact that about half our girls are preparing to entertain "Professor Pepp" in the near future, we had a very interesting, though impromptu, program on Nov. 30, Often an informal meeting calls forth more activity and arouses more enthusiasm than the regulation program.Let's each act as a committee of one solely responsible for the advertising of "Professor Pepp." Tell everybody and send word to the rest.UPPER CUMBERLAND The Upper Cumberland Society met in its regular meeting room Monday, Nov. 30th. This day had been set aside •for the election of officers for the coming term the following officers were elected:Jesse R. Clark President.Earl Tipps Vice-PresidentWm. S. Massa SecretaryRobert E. Smith TreasurerMonroe Powers Attorney-GeneralSewell Brown Sergeant-at-ArmsDouglas Robbins CriticEach elected officer expressed his appreciation and promised to serve to the best of his ability.With such a body of officers as we now have, next term promises to be one of the best in the history of our society. We wish to express our appreciation for the retiring officers, as they have served faithfully and well.Let's go Upper Cumberlands and make the spirit ring.PALLADIAN SOCIETY The Palladian Society dispenses with their regular Monday afternoon program and elected the following officers for the second term; Pres Martha SedivakVice-Pres Rozelle PendergrassSecretary Elise GregoryTreasurer Agnes GreenwoodCritic Hazel WallYell Leader Louise Woods With these competent leaders, the work of the society during the second term will be promoted.JOKESElsic –What is the matter with your hand?Puckett –I was down town getting some cigarettes and some bum stepped on it.Martha (at Football game) –So the players wear numbers for their identification.Dan –Yes.Martha – I didn’t know they were killed enough for that.Merrill –Will you marry me?Dan –Yes.Merrill –But the doctor says my life will be short.Dan –Is it insured?Mary Ellen Shanks –Eddie, what are you going to give me for Christmas?Eddie –Close your eyes. (She closes her eyes). Now what do you see?Mary ellen –Nothing.Eddie –Well that’s what you are going to get.Health Inspector –Is this a fraternity house?Senior –Yes.Health Inspector –Are there any rats around?Senior –No, they died of starvation.Victim –you’ve pulled three teeth. I only wanted one pulledDentist –Yes, Yes, we gave you a bit too much gas a I didn’t want to waste it.Man in speeding car –High fence isn’t it?Driver –that’s no fence, them’s telephone poles.Rose –I had a tooth pulled this morning.Clark –did you have an anesthetic?Rose—No, a toothache.
date:
1925-12-14
type:
Text
format:
pdf
identifier:
Oracle_1925_12_14
publisher:
Tennessee Technological University. Archives and Special Collections
source:
The Oracle
language:
eng
temporal:
1920s
spatial:
Cookeville (Tenn.)
spatial:
Putnam County (Tenn.)
rights:
No Copyright - United States
access Rights:
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.