RHYTHM OF THE DAY

Recent efforts to tear apart the shrouds which have surrounded the political clubs hereabouts serve only to emphasise the trance in which most of these organizations repose throughout the college experience of most of the student body. Every four years the adrenalin of a presidential campaign causes faint stirrings in the Harvard body-politic which feed the hopes of those gathered about the bier and which may be the signal for rejoicing, accompanied by the beating of tomtoms. Invariably and unfortunately the patient after a few inconsequential stirrings relapses into his former harmlessness.

Valuable as the political clubs may be in bringing the campaign to the college for a short time every fourth fall, they give no solid assistance to the college man baffled by his first voting opportunity, Really to cast one's vote intelligently, one should follow party issues from far before the time that they become mere political slogans. Enthusiastic attendance at last minute discussions and oratorical contests is hardly sufficient to acquaint the average college listener with the bewildering vibrations of the political shuttle-cock as it bounces from farm relief to prohibition, from water power control to oil scandals. In a democracy, an educated man ought also to be an educated governor, and a college is remiss in a full performance of duty if it fails to equip its graduates with a working knowledge of public affairs. College courses, under the necessity of remaining non-partisan and more or less theoretical, cannot materially further this type of education. Recent political club revivals lack sufficient staying power.

Party clubs at Harvard have a permanent place, not a mere camp site. Information in regard to absentee voting, now being collected by at least one of the clubs, could be kept at all times accessible. Undergraduates would then find it easy to take at least a voting interest in their local politics and to familiarize themselves through gubernatorial campaigns with the issues later reflected in national elections. An active executive committee, even without a large enrolled membership, could inaugurate such other services to the student voter as would suffice to keep his interest and command his respect.