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will be found at any college. The local clubs and societies, of which there are eleven, are all active and prosperous; a class club flourishes, a glee club and orchestra are both quite successful and give many entertainments. For a literary representation there is the "Tech" a publication which stands equal to the best college periodical. In athletics the Institute stands far above Amherst (the college of which the Chi Phi writer is an alumnus) and ranks with Harvard, Yale and other large colleges. The foot-ball team which represented the Institute last Fall was a splendid one. They beat Amherst 80 to o at Amherst and tied Williams for the first place at the end of the scheduled games of the Northern Inter-collegiate Association, of which Williams, Technology, Tufts and Amherst were members. In base ball the Institute maintains a nine, in spite of disadvantages, which can hold its own with other college nines. There are now thirty men trying for places on the nine for this spring. The athletic club holds athletic games during the year at which all the events are well filled and good records made. The records in the four principal events for last year's games ranked as follows:

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As will be seen from the above the record of the Institute in no event was lower than second. All the athletic and other organizations are well supported by the students. It will be easily seen that college spirit is not wanting at the Institute as it may have been when the Chi Phi chapter failed in 1876. M. B. G.

THE PROGRESS OF A. T. 0.

The spirit of progressive activity which is a characteristic of this age, had its hold on men before but never so powerfully as now. Its influence is felt not only throughout the civilized world but it is beginning to penetrate the dark regions of the earth and to excite them to a livelier activity.

This spirit manifests itself in every sphere of life.

The marvelous revelations in science, the inventions which economize labor and promote the conveniences and comforts of life, the reforms in politics and the rapid propagation of Christianity are examples of progress actuated by this spirit. Has this same spirit contributed anything to our noble fraternity? When we consider the short time which has elapsed since its birth and the power and influence which it now exerts from the placid Atlantic to the golden shore of the Pacific, we must conclude that here too this active spirit has manifested itself.

Like many other noble institutions which were born in comparitive obscurity and which now shed their benign influence over this, our land of liberty; so Alpha Tau Omega was ushered into existence in the city of Richmond by the noble three, Glazebrook, Marshall and Ross, whose names will ever be dear to the memory of every Alpha Tau. A fraternity, founded, as ours is, upon principles that are endurable as the everlasting hills and advocated by intelligent and philanthropic men will break down every barrier that is placed before it and permanently established itself wherever its principles are properly advocated and discreetly expounded. Only about twenty years ago Alpha Tau Omega was unknown, but to-day her chapters, twenty six in number, are the marvel and admiration of the Greek world. They adorn every institution in whose walls the spirit of our grand order is breathed. They are stars of the first magnitude, dazzling and resplendent.

The sympathies and emotions which our grand principles awaken, were not locked up in the bosoms of those who originated these principles, but they imparted them to others. The dissemination has been so rapid that at present these sacred principles are instilled into the hearts of nearly fifteen hundred men, the most attractive ornaments of society.

Though we pride ourselves in the progress which Alpha Tau Omega has made, yet we should not be content with present attainments, but earnestly endeavor to extend her grand principles and enlarge the circle of her influence. We must remember that her principles are infinite and the higher we mount the vaster and more magnificent becomes the prospect.

S. MILLER.

THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF A CHAPTER.*

ter movements.

The interest awakened by the efforts made to establish new chapters of our Order is much to be commended. To increase this fervor and to make lasting its effects, there should be judicious management on the part of chapter officers. The primal minutiae of chapter organization being obtained from the proper source, it is necessary to give proper shape and direction to chapThis it is often difficult and perplexing to do. The enthusiasm, naturally attendant upon the birth of a chapter, is apt to develop hasty and injudicious action, unless there exists a spirit of wisdom among the new recruits. To secure, if possible, a cautious reserve in the incipient stages of chapter work, the suggestions which follow are offered. They are the result of careful observation on the part of the Worthy Master of a flourishing chapter of our Order, and may serve as a guide to those whose experience in effective chapter-management is limited.

The soul of a chapter is its strength-its effective force as a human organization. This strength represents more than the sum of the powers of individual members—it is the unity of the mass which secures the grand result. The guiding principle, then, must be a careful selection of strong material, which has been tested by community sentiment extending over a considerable period. This public valuation of men must be stripped of all noisy, interested demonstrations of approval on the part of particular coteries and clans. It is usally safe to trust implicitly to the opinion of even one man, if he is known to be totally disconnected with the individual whose claims to membership are to be considered. It seems to be a general property of the human mind that it will decide correctly, unless swayed by some specific condition in the individual case. The writer has found that this

*This article is taken from No. 4 of vol. 1 of the PALM, and as we think it to the point, and in consideration of the fact that all our chapters, whom it especially concerns, are composed of "new" men, who because of the fact that vol. I cannot be obtained, have never read it, and consequently have not been able to profit by it, we take the liberty to republish it, hoping it will throw some light on chapter management.—ED.

method of ascertaining community sentiment is well-nigh infallible. It is safe and practicable. Local valuation is a fair index to the general character of a man, if only true local valuation can be ascertained. And this information can be obtained with ease and certainty by inquiry of a single element in the community whole.

But the endorsement of one's fellow-men varies in degree— at times, full, vigorous and emphatic; again, the inquiry elicits a qualified commendation, while often negative qualities only are discerned by the public mind. Other questions then naturally arise: What degree of approval is necessary? Where is the line to be drawn between strong and weak material? The answer to these questions can be briefly given: Observe the individual. Unless the approbation extended by associates is definite and without reserve, it is best to exercise caution in the selection of members.

Careful observation by those of fair discernment will disclose all that is requisite for an approximate decision. A general spirit of close scrutiny on the part of all chapter members is highly desirable. It should be a conscious, ever-present element in their daily life to observe closely those who may be suggested for membership. It is to be seen, therefore, that reliance can be placed upon what is usually termed "the fickleness of public opinion." In the opinion of the writer, it is a fair test of individual character and power; it is the unconscious principle acting in the mind of a man which shows that the love of truth, at least, is innate, even though experience can explain the existence of all other ideas. The proper selection of material is naturally the sine qua non of successful management. But the quanity of success can be increased by the observance of a few rules which are naturally suggested. Endeavor to develop the element of social union by a chapter reading-room-a daily rendezvous for kindred spirits; cultivate the spirit of fraternity zeal by devising schemes in which all may take part in an effective way; advise, encourage and assist each individual member in the prosecution of his scholastic aims. In short, make the chapter-body feel that there courses in the veins of each member blood which can animate the whole. This symphathetic, enthusiastic

element, properly developed, welds us into one harmonious mass. This it is which keeps alive the proper spirit, and brings forth the wished-for fruits of our Fraternity life.

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EDITORS PALM: As not a few Alpha Taus have found their way hither and as all of them expect, doubtless, to pay the national capital a visit at some time, several of us lately concluded to assemble ourselves together, effect a temporary organization, and to submit an application for a charter. When you next hear from us I hope that it will be in our power to claim a place under the title of "chapter letters."

I am not the only Alpha Tau "holding down a fat office in Washington" (though I must say as Bill Arp's dog vendor said, "it is not so doggoned fat as you may suppose.") Brother E. M. Gadsden of Charleston, S. C., formerly of the Washington and Lee chapter looks after the P. O. money order system of our government with vigilant eyes. Brother W. H. Lamar has turned from the "probabilities" of General Hazen's Meterological Department to the certainties of a law practice.

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When not wrangling before the Commissioner of Patents or adorning a box at Albaugh's he may be found in his chambers in the Pacific Building on F. street. Doctor Tom Norton, bearded like the pard, having made a specialty of feminine heart affections is meeting with astonishing success. He has been very fortunate in finding in a short time both patients and clubmates. In congress we have Zach Taylor of Tennessee and Breckinridge of Arkansas.

From our old chapter at Trinity College North Carolina come Brothers J. W. Powell and George W. Koonce. The former though now for many years removed from the field of active club work, still wears his badge and glows with genuine Alpha Tau fervor. Brother Fairfax Irwin, who represented, at the last congress, the Roanoke College chapter, which he helped to establish,

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