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U n iv er sit y of O r eg o n M o n t h l y
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Student Politics
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Politics is now the absorbing topic of conversation. The in
terest o-f the students is, fast being centered an the approaching
student body election,. The election is held on the second Wednes
day in May. ; Nominations for office are made one week earlier.
The students* ó f the University constitute a small democracy.
And in accord with the principle that political parties are nec
essary to the continuance of se.lf-gpvernment we have here two,
well-defined parties But the factor which determines a student’s
politics is not wholly of, principle or policy ; party lines are. drawn
largely by social lines. A man is either Fraternity or Not-Frate.r-
nity, and ordinarily that is the way the votes run»
As the various, offices at the disposal of the Student Body
carry with them not only the honor of the position but also the val
uable training that comes from administrative duties,,competition
between candidates becomes keen. And as it is but natural that
any organization or association of people should work for ita own
interests and advancement, each party puts; forward: its best mate
rial in tue hope of victory.■>
Perhaps it is the' “community of, interests” and the “group
likeness” or the “consciousness of kind” that swings the fraternity
and sorority with an almost solid vote for the “Greek” candidates;
certain it is that, the non-fraternity elements for protection gen
erally unite in support of "the Independent candidates^ This is
ordinarily the case, other things being equal. But when either party
has an exceptionally strong candidate a. just appreciation of; lids»
worth and “running ability” leads the opposing side to refrain from
nominating any one against that candidate—perhaps, thè dread- of
defeat is the greatest deterrent to opposition. This aside, however!
competition has not yet become sò keen or factional strife ’so in
tense th at the really strong man, ho matter what party he* belongs
to, can not win out.
Last year, under the w hip'of injustice, supposed or real as it
may have been, and under the sting of sarcasm coming from two