Word: writer
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...intention to enter into a discussion with the writer of that article, as I believe that arguments in college papers, as a rule, carry with them very little conviction in matters of this nature; but I think one of his statements, at least, should not pass unchallenged. In alluding to the influence exerted by the "popular man," he says, "It is Gosling's [the would-be 'popular man'] private opinion that he ought not to drink, and also that he does not like the taste of liquor; but if he hears that Swellington [the real 'popular man'] has been 'jolly...
...WRITER in the last Crimson has attacked the new system of honors on the ground that the value of honors will be much diminished, and that the amount of "true scholarship," as distinguished from studying for marks and honors, will also be much diminished. Even the most careless reading of the article shows an inconsistency in the writer's position; for if, as he asserts, the new honors "will rouse as much excitement as the list of Bachelors of Arts," it is extremely unlikely that these worthless honors will be such unusually strong inducements to work as to "double...
...certainly true that the value of honors is somewhat lowered; but it is not easy to appreciate the writer's reason for considering this an evil, - that the Harvard honors will degenerate to the level of the numerous prizes of "small-sized colleges." Even if this were true, it would be a valid objection only if the purpose of honors were to furnish a subject for undergraduate boast; but, as a fact, they have a definite and much more sensible work to do, - they are intended to furnish inducements to study. And the question is not whether the new honors...
...writer of the article referred to is of the opinion that the men who now get Commencement parts will, under the new system, have "less instigation" to work. This objection might have some show of plausibility if the standard of requirements for parts were lowered, and nothing more done. But by the new system new inducements to work have been offered to these men, - the new grades, "honorable mention" and magna cum laude, have been established, and summa cum laude, an honor which heretofore has had very nearly no effect at all, will now influence the work of perhaps seven...
...effect of the new system on the "middle class," the moderately good scholars, it is asserted that these men will be encouraged to take "soft" electives and to work for marks. This, apparently, is the only sound objection that has been offered; but the writer does not seem to realize that this is an evil, not of the new system merely, but of any honor-system whatever. So long as honors are offered men are likely to neglect their real gain in working for them. It must be borne in mind that an honor-system necessarily starts with the supposition...