Newspaper Page Text
PAGE TWO
There Are Grades
That Jingle,
Jangle, Jingle
By Professor I V. H. Roto
An almost unnoticeable incident that occurred
a few days ago brought on this brainstorm, but
the implication has grown so within me that I
feel that I must put it into words. The setting
was my classroom. The time was the day that
the first quarter grades were announced. The
characters were a group of students tensley wait
ing to see those fateful marks that had been re
corded in the registrar’s office. With all due apol
ogies to the student who so innocently brought
this into the open, I must repeat the question he
asked me: "Do you take off our grades when we
talk in class?" The first thing that flashed into my
mind was that I had "missed the boat." We
teachers have not progressed very far in educa
tion as long as you students are more concerned
about your subject matter grades than the
other grades you are making each day of your
existence.
No, I do not "take off your grade when you
talk in class,” but you have made a grade that is
recorded more noticeably than the one recorded
in the office. It is a grade in respect for others,
and it is slipped very easily on a chain about
your neck for the eyes of the world. It is a
grade that has been placed there not only by the
instructor but by every member of your class, and
it will be joined soon by others. You push and
shove in the dining-hall line and another grade
drops on your chain. You take several servings
of your favorite dish at the dinner table, leaving
little or none for those yet to be served, and your
own pals very quickly slip an "F" into place.
You show poor sportsmanship on the athletic
field or at games, whistle as a means of applause
in assembly, talk to your neighbor during the
speech, sit on the back of your neck with your
feet propped high over the seat in front of you,
arrive late for class and appointments, and make
alibis for your shortcomings. One by one the
links about your neck increase, and they begin to
"jingle, jangle, jingle."
Some day in the not too distant future, some
employer will write me asking for a recommen
dation for you. I cannot possibly remember
your grades as you were only one of five hundred
students, so the office will supply me with that
information. But that is only one item in the
letter. It will go on from there to ask for my
impression of your honesty, citizenship, integrity,
character, respect for authority, manners, coopera
tion, and many others. Ido not need the office
records for these items as I can see very plainly
the chain of grades that dangled across your chest.
I have painted a very dreary picture for you
and it was not my intention to do so at all. The
beauty of these other grades about which I speak
is that they may be slipped easily off your chain
and be replaced by others of a higher rank when
ever the desire to do so predominates. It is a
grading system which continues throughout your
life and which is completely under your control.
My appeal to you is that you will become just as
concerned about these grades as those in your
various subjects. Don’t worry about how much
the instructor is "taking off your grade because
you talk in class” but about the kind of a grade
he and your fellow students are giving you for
infringing upon their rights.
The fine art of being helpful consists in know
ing when to keep out of the way.
West Georgian Staff, 1946-1947
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Len Hutcheson
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Bdhe Cheney
SPORTS EDITOR Clarence Salmon
FEATURE ERITOR Polly Griffin
CIRCULATION MANAGER Helen Brown
BUSINESS MANAGER Joyce Jones
REPORTERS: Roy Fossett, Mildred Garner, George Daniel,
William Anthony, Bonnie Bruce, James Turner, Rebecca Burrus,
Frank Rushton, Betty Whiteside, Sue Quntion, Marion Moon, Edith
Harrod, Barbara Bishop, Betty Jean Johnson, and Sherman Lindsay.
FACULTY ADVISERS: Marvina Wallingford, Marie Campbell.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $1.25
IT SEEMS TO ME-
By Roy Fossett
The recent national election affords an excellent opportunity
for all Georgians, and all Southerners for that matter, to critically
examine the political philosophy which they support. To con
tinue allegiance to a political faith bioed primarily on tradition
and prejudice, without support of reacon, seems to me to be not
only fallacious reasoning but also complete disregard of every
logical reason for change.
The tattered and dog-eared arguments against the one-party
system in Georgia are still true. To these old truths may be
added others, perhaps not so prominent, but nevertheless they
present facts which should not be ignored.
What does Georgia profit by being consistenly Democratic?
Consistency, they say, is a virtue, but in this particular instance I
question that contention. For Georgia and the South to remain
constantly faithful to one party is to renounce patronage from
both parties. The Democrats don’t have to—and it would do
the Republicans no good. Who loses? Georgians do. We de
serve the kick in the pants we invariably get.
The one-party system under which Georgia lives very effi
ciently checks political progress. It also very effectively stifles
initiative, and destroys all cause for party development. Perhaps
the greatest injury it inflicts is the discouraging of the most en
terprising and intelligent young men and women from seeking
public careers in this state.
Should Southern Legislatures contain more diversified belief
and opinions, the odds for achieving desirable advances in all
fields of endeavor; agriculture, health, industry, education, and
welfare, would be greatly enhanced. The present system in Geor
gia encourages procrastination in these matters and leads the poli
ticians to adopt the creed, "Since we have nothing to lose by de
lay—why rush?"
The absence of a strong political minority is one reason for
traditional Southern hospitality never extending to ideas. Con
stant party inbreeding has produced in the South professional pol
iticians who follow the traditional practice of promising every
thing to secure votes and then accomplishing nothing, once they
are elected. Inter-party debate on issues would immediately aid
the South, whereas intra-party debate on technicalities profits us
nothing.
The presence of new and vigorous ideas in a strong minority
would do much to destroy the old tradition of sectionalism in
which many Georgian still take pride. The vigorous presentation
of a "loyal opposition” would do much toward aiding the south
in becoming an integral part of the nation instead of continuing
our present status as a political and economic colony.
Much has been said and much written about the one-crop
system of agriculture in the South. It is plainly evident that in
tense sectionalism in the political part of our culture is as much
a hindrance to Southern progress as the one-crop system was a
hindrance to the broad development of our economy. Now that
the ring of ignorance surrounding the need of diversified farming
is broken, we should bring under fire the one-party philosophy
under which we all live.
For Georgians to grow in other fields we must also grow
and expand in our political creed. To grow in part and remain
static in part is a gross inconsistency. To continue toleration of
a "horse-and-buggy” political faith in the atomic age is inexcu
sable.
Georgians should know better —it seems to me.
THE WEST GEORGIAN
Campus Spotlight
LEN HUTCHINSON
Editor of West Georgian
According to Len, he was a pink delicate little
thing way back in September of 1925.
Through Buchanan school from the first
through the eleventh grade, Len made his way—
with no difficulty—we might add.
In 1942 Len was off with Uncle Sam’s
"Fighting Navy’’ to Norfolk, Jacksonville, San
Francisco, and points west.
Blonde, blue-eyed, likeable, and conscientious
enough to make him hard working and ambiti
ous, Len stepped into the swing of West Georgia
life with a determination to make good.
His main interest revolves around aviation.
"But because I can’t seem to master math, I guess
I’ll just be a 'Knish Peddler’,’’ he sighed (con
sult Mr. Webster if you’re wondering, as I did,
just what a Knish Peddler is); and maybe I’ll
write some too.’’
Here’s hoping, Len, that you and Miss Crider
come to a mutual understanding and that you'll
soon be flying high!
BILLIE SANDERS CHENEY
Cheerleader; Member of Choir; Associate Edi
tor of West Georgian; Feature Editor of Chief
tain; Vice President of Press Forum; Treasurer of
Adamson Hall; member French Club and Mu
Zeta Alphas this enumerates the activities of this
versatile miss.
It seems that the stork dropped Billie right
into the laps of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Cheney on a
cold winter day in 1927, February 21, to be exact.
Birmingham, Alabama, claimed her as it own
and Billie lived happily there, sailing right on
through West End High School to graduate with
honors in 1945. Immediately after graduating
she began writing "Sports" for the Birmingham
News.
Billie is the spirit of vivaciousness and that
girl really gets around as you can see by the
heading above!
Among her first loves are football, chocolate
milk shakes, cheeseburgers, fried oysters, people
who smile a lot, "Stardust," and shades of blue.
Someday she hopes to be a "star journalist’’
and judging from the way she gets everything
she goes after, she’ll be one too!
And now, if you hadn’t before —you’ve met
West Georgia’s Billie Cheney.
AS THE COLLEGE SEES HIM
Wayne University summarizes the characteris
tics of its veteran students as follows, and its ex
perience is common to the great majority of in
stitutions :
1. The veteran is older; an average age of 23 years.
2. Thirty-nine per cent are married, with the pro
portion of married students increasing.
3. He is more mature and has a better sense of values.
4. He wants to get his education as soon as possi
ble and to get started as an earning member of the
community.
5. He is willing to study hard and to take on heavy
schedules and assignments.
6. He has a definite vocational goal.
7. He frequently has advanced educational exper
ience secured while in the armed fcrces.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1946