The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, March 2, 1923 Page: 1 of 4
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VOLUME VIH
RICE INSTITUTE, HOUSTON, TEXAS, MARCH 2, 1933
NUMBER 22
'MHs
BLACKSTONE'S
ANNIVERSARY
RECALLED IN
RICE LECTURE
Prof. MHam D!scusses
Noted Jurist and His
Commentaries.
Extension Speech
Samuel Glenn McCann, instructor m
Jurisprudence and Registrar of the
Rice Institute, delivered the eighth of
a series of anniversary lectures on the
subject of Biackstone and His Com-
mentaries, at 4:30 p. m. Sunday, Feb.
25, in the Physics Amphitheater.
Be!ow is an abstract of Mr. Mc-
Cann's lecture:
Biackstone and His Commentaries.
The two hundred years which have
elapsed since the birth of Sir William
Biackstone are probably a sufficiently
iong period of time for us to be abie
to see the great Commentator and his
work in the proper perspective. The
development of law had gone a long
way before Biackstone came on the
scene and in attempting to understand
the wide influence of this man it is
necessary for us to look chiefly and in
a general way at the development
which had taken place before his time.
We may surmise at least that the
fundamental factor inherent in the
makeup of man which would predict
a life and civilization of law and order
is habit and all of the psychological
characteristics arising from it. Great
numbers of men acting habitually in
the course of their lives created group
habits which we call custom. This
habitual mode of action made it easy
for man to calculate the actions of
others and this ease of calculation
placed a premium on order rather, than
on confusion. After much ex-
perimentation in a more or less hap-
hazard way, these customs gained in
authority and a selected group of of-
ficers, we now refer to as judges,
evolved to enforce the habitual or cus-
tomary thing. The reducing of the
decisions of these judges regarding
custom created authoritative prece-
dents which were habitually followed
by their successors of later genera-
tions. In some such fashion was evolv-
ed the principles of Common Law.
These great rules were not handed
down "in toto" from a high and
mighty authoritative source but were
worked out, tried, and tested by judges
in a multitude of private difficulties
which came before them for adjust-
ment.
This backward look of the Common
Law, while civilization was changing
and becoming more complex, tended
to render the rules somewhat rigid
and in many instances out-of-date. To
supplement them and give adequate
remedies the chancellors of the kings
of England began about the Four-
teenth century to take out of the hands
of the Common Law judges, certain
cases where the remedies enforced by
them were obviously inadequate.
These rules came to be enforced by
separate courts called the Chancery
Courts and the rules of equality
which were applied came to be called
equity. But the habit of the English
lawyers and jurists was to look back
for authoritative precedents and
equity soon became precedent-bound
and incapable of much further ex-
pansion—it became Common Law in
spirit and operation if not in origin.
In the meantime civilization con-
tinued to expand and to meet this ex-
pansion the last source of law waa
evolved—legislation—beginning with
the activities of the English Parlia-
ment about the time of the French
Revolution. Legislation is capable of
indefinite expansion and the ability to
expand gives it the flexibility neces-
sary to keep abreast with the times.
Theoretically at least, legislation,
creating a new principle of law, comes
after the sanction for the new rule is
established in the minds oi the public,
which fact should make for observ-
ance and enforcement. Although we
are now far from a perfect system,
stili we believe that in wise legislation
and in equally wise interpretation of
statutes lies our best hope of solving
the new problems created by our con-
stantly growing civilization.
Biackstone was born In 1723. Be-
ing left ah orphan at an early age
probably saved him from being a pros-
perous tradesman, as waa Ma father,
Four Class Issues
of Thresher WW
Come Out in April
Senior, Junior, Sophomore and
Freshman classes are all preparing to
elect staffs to edit the "class issues"
of The Thresher which will be turned
over to them for four weeks early
next term.
The classes are preparing to elect
their respective staffs before the end
of the second term in order to give
them time in which to coileet ideas for
their individual issues.
The first issue of the series will be
the Senior, and will be followed by
Junior, Sophomore and Freshman
issues in order.
It has been the custom for some
years to allow each ciass to put Out
an entire issue of The Thresher.
Club of Civil
Engineers Is
New Society
The most recent organization to
spring up on the campus is a student
chapter of the American Society of
Civil Engineers. The University of
Texas is the oniy other school in the
state of Texas which can boast of such
a chapter, there being oniy forty-five
in the United Stataes, and aii of these
having been organized within the past
three years.
The Rice Institute Chapter will be
composed of twelve men, ail from the
Junior or Senior ciass in Civil En-
gineering. At a meeting held Monday
night itf the dorms, the following of-
ficers were elected: H. E. Durham,
president; H. S. Jones, vice president;
W. T. Alexander, secretary; R. H. Wa-
terman, treasurer; G. L. Morrison, ex
ecutive committeeman.
As one requirement for admission to
the American Society of Civil En-
gineers is that the chapter must be
active, the members have plans under
way to have this organization recog-
nized as the most active organization
on the Rice Institute Campus.
BAYLOROKLAHOMA
GAMES TO DETERMINE
OWLS' FINAL STANDING
-e-
Ending the home schedule of a cred-
itable season, Rice meets Baylor in
wo basketbaii games Friday night and
Saturday afternoon at the City Audi-
torium.
The Rico basketeers have shown
wonderful abiiity in the four recent
games here—A. and M. narrowly edg-
ng out victorious in two evenly match-
ed bitter games; and Texas University
succumbing to the powerful Owl on-
slaught and scarcely threatening the
Rice machine's superiority.
Baylor has had an unfortunate sea-
son filled with losses. One victory
over Rice, one over Texas, and a
coupte over S. M. U. are to her credit
and these mean something to be reck-
oned with in the coming contests.
Following the Saturday afternoon
game with Bayior the Owls will en-
train for the long trip to Stillwater,
Oklahoma, where they have a game
scheduled with the Oklahoma Aggies
for Monday night. The Aggies, it is
to I n remembered, split with the Owls
on their invasion of Texas in the be-
ginning of the season and in this Ana)
game Rice wiil get her chance to chalk
up a majority over them. This game
wilt end the season for Rice.
SOUTHWESTERN CONFERENCE
STANDING
Texas A. and M !? 2 %76
TtxasU 7 H .646
Oklahoma Annies 3 <i .454
S-M. U <; a ,421
{*'<'<; 3 7 .416
Bayior 4 10 .285
T. C. U o g .000
By defeating Bayior two games fast we< .. the Texas Annies virtuaiiy won
the Southwestern Conference championship. Mice has increased her prestige
in the Conference by defeating Texas U. twt. games and if she takes two from
Bayior this week and one from the Oklat^ma Aggies the foiiowing week,
and provided that S. M. U. toses one game; it ice wilt then finish the season in
second [dace.
Actors Chosen for
"Duicy," Y.W. Play;
Rehearsals On
Rehearsals for "Dulcy," three-act
comedy to be presented by the Y. W.
C. A. on April 19, at the South End
Junior High Schooi auditorium, were
begun this week immediately follow
ing the selection of the cast. The
ptay is the annua] production of the
"Y" and is being directed by D. T.
McLaughlin. It will constitute part
of the "Junior Week" activities.
The play was written by George S
Kaufman and Marc Conneily. It is
taid in a New York country home and
is a story of a wife's attempt to man
age her husband's business according
to her own ideas.
The cast of characters includes
Martha Campbeii Scott as Duicy,
Frankie Maude Carroil, Bessie Smith,
M. H. Alexander, J. I. Campbet), W.
M. Darling, Wiitiam Lindsey Hate,
Percy Lee Harris, Ernest M. Robert-
son, Robb M. Winnsborough and Ar
thur Zucht.
Try-Out Meet
for Dramatic
Club Put Off
Tryouts for admission to the Rice
Dramatic club will take place imme-
diately foiiowing a meeting of the
ciub at the Autry House next Monday
night at 8 o'clock.
Among other matters of business
to be considered at the meeting will
probabiy be the selection of plays for
the third-term bill.
The meeting was scheduled for Wed-
nesday night biyt due to previous
reservation by the Rice-Houston club,
it has been postponed. About 12 stu-
dents have presented applications for
admission.
Bishop Quin a
Guest of Rice
for "Y" Talk
"Christianity, the Gospel of a Per-
son," was the subject chosen by the
Rt. Reverend Charles Clinton Quinn,
D. D., Co-Adjutor Bishop of Texas,
for for an address delivered by him
to the men of Rice Institute in the
Commons at 7 p. m., Wednesday, Feb.
28. This talk is the second of a series
under the direction of the Rice Stu-
dent Y. M. C. A. The first having
been delivered by Dr. Lindsay Blayney
on Feb. 16.
Bishop Quinn took supper with the
men in the Commons and spoke Im-
mediately following the meal.
and opened up the way forjiim to en-
ter the ancient and noble profession of
the law. He was educated at Oxford
and due to training and early environ-
ment, soon developed into a conserva-
tive from almost every point of view,
Failing to make a succesa in the prac-
tice of law, which he attempted for
seven years, Biackstone took the ad-
vice of the great English jurist, Lord
Mansfield, and took up lecturing on
the Common Law at Oxford. These
tectures are hia Commentariea, first
put out in printed form in 1766, the
year of the pasaage of the Stamp Act.
A small salary at Oxford compelled
(Continued on Pt* !)
Music Making
Studes Radio
Nice Program
Rice Institute's radio station WRAA
Monday night joined the ranks of reg-
ular broadcasters with a mixed pro-
gram of string, accordion and vocal
music. The concert was broadcast
from the E. E. laboratory adjoining
the radio room and was the first one
since the completion of the station.
Regular programs will henceforth
be broadcast every Monday night. The
Flaxman, Moore and White string
trio played many popular hits, while
Wiikins with his accordion entertain-
ed the "listeners in" with oid college
songs together with several popular
selections. Graves McGee, tenor, had
to respond with encore after encore
foiiowing his singing of the "Ag-
gravate* Papa Biues."
Telephone caiis came in from radio
fans all over Houston complementing
the operators on the clearness with
which the program was received.
Many of them asked for special num-
bers to be sung or played.
Future programs will be broadcast
from the commons, according to the
announcement made, in order to give
all students opportunity to attend. A
iarge number of dorm men were pres-
ent at the E. E. Laboratory during the
Monday night concert.
The broadcasting Monday night
marked the culmination of intensive
work of some months on the part of
J. K. Humphrey, electrical engineer-
ing professor, A. B. Ellis, R. E. Her-
rick and'some engineering students.
Monday night has been set aside
as a. "clear" night for the Rice pro-
gram and all other regular stations in
Houston will not broadcast on that
night.
It is planned, later, to broadcast, in
addition to musical programs, short
addresses, athletic contest scores, gen-
eral university news and other things
of interest.
Ellis and Herrick are official op-
erators.
French Play
Presented in
Amusing Way
A large and appreciative audience
greeted the presentation of the one-
act comedy "L'angiais Tei Qu'on Le
Parie" (English as it is spoken) at
the Autry House Tuesday night. The
piay was given in French for "Les
Hiboux" by the members of Mr.
Oberie's French 310 class. The per
formance was in the nature of an open
meeting of "Les Hiboux," open to all
interested in French.
The east consisted of Misses Sailie
Lee St. Louis, as the maid, Genevieve
Miller as Betty Hogson, the heroine,
Jean Sprouie as the landiady, and
Messrs. R. P. St. John as Jutien Cican-
del, the hero, E. J. Oberie as Eugene,
the pseudo interpreter, Clark Hopkins
as the father of Betty, A. P. Beimont
and M. S. Carson as poiice officers.
The scene of the play was the lobby
of the Hotel de Cologne, Paris, in the
afternoon. Jean and Betty came rush-
ing in, a pair of elopers from London,
hotly pursued by the irate parent, to
whom Jean's income was by no means
sufficient. It happened that the fa-
ther knew no French, and the hotel
interpreter was absent celebrating his
sister's divorce with his relatives. A
substitute interpreter, Eugene, was
left, but he knew no Engiish.
The substitute interpreter boldly
set about misinterpreting ail that was
toid him, causing ail kinds of humor-
ous situations, culminating in the ar-
rest of Juiien and Betty as pick-
pockets.
At the cruciai moment a iong dis-
tance message announced that Jean
was given a lucrative position, which
at once eliminated Hogson's objections
to him. Hogson gave the eiopers Ms
blessing and Eugene, the interpreter,
resolved to go to England, not as an
interpreter, but in order to learn Eng-
lish.
The players were exceedingly well
ast, and the presentation was in every
way a huge success.
CALENDAR
Friday, March !—
Holiday tt the Institute.
8 p. m.—RIcc-Baylor Game, Aud-
itorium.
amtxtdty, March it—
S i()0 p. m.—Rice-Hayior, Auditorium.
Sunday March 4—
8:00 a. m. -Corporate Communion at
Autry House.
B:Ma.m.—Bible Ciass.
4 :S0 p. m.—Mr. Weber's lecture in
Amphitheater.
9:00 p. m.—Open House, Cramner
Ciub Hostess.
Trehie Oaf. program.
Monday. March S—
12:30 p. m.—Y. W. C. A. Bible Clam
at Autry House.
1 :!0 p. m.—Writing Ciub.
*i :S0 p.m.—Dramatic Club try-outs
at Autry House.
Tuesday, March 6—
i2:30—P. A. L. 8. at Autry House.
6:40 p. m.—Y. M. C. A. Discussion
Group.
Wednesday. March 7—
12 [80 p. m.—Y. W. C. A. Cabinet
Meeting.
7100 p. m,—world Problems. DIs-
<eetln
J. m.-
cusslon Group.
Thursday. March !—
l!:80p. m.—Y. W. C. A. In Girls
Club Room.
7:4H p. m. Faculty Historical So-
ciety.
Season Debut
For Owl Nine
Is Announced
Initial appearance of the Owl nine
in its first pcheduted game wiM be
made Saturday when a Houston City
League team is to cross bats with the
Rice team at Rice field at 3 p. m.
Rain Monday has soaked the dia-
nond thoroughly but with fair weather
continuing the game will be played.
Coach Countryman has not stated
what team he has arranged to bring
out for this practice contest.
Featuring last week's basebal] prac-
tice was a game between a skeleton
Varsity and an independent team of
professionals, visitors and candidates
for the squad, the game going by a
ctose margin to the independents.
Saturday saw a iong batting and
Reiding workout conducted by Cap-
tain Melton in the absence of Coach
Countryman. The squad, divided, took
several turns at batting and siugging
and exceptional abiiity in pelting the
horsehide was shown by several men.
The Thursday game was Eddie
Dyer's last practice game with the
Owls, as he left for the Cardinal
training camp Friday night. Like-
wise it was Gienn Myatt's final work-
out as he has gone to join his Cleve-
land teammates. Gene Baiiey has as-
sited Countryman several days in
practice.
Thursday's Game.
Cutting toose in mid-season form
Eddie Dyer had the varsity completely
at his mercy tast Thursday afternoon
in an unusually good early season
game. Hate was the only regular able
to connect for an extra base blow,
but the defensive work of both teams
was of a Rrst-ciass order, so prospects
for a winning nine seem to be very
bright. The offensive will come with
practice, as the prevailing bad weather
has severely handicapped progress.
The lineup:
Varsity. Independents.
Hale Myatt
Catcher
Melton, Simpson Dyer
Pitcher
Lamb Adams
First Base
Irvine Morgan
Second Base
Goodwin Watters
Third Base
Wilford — Wagner
Shortstop
Bloxsom Smith
Left Field
Ldcke Reynolds
Center Field
Hughes Boettcher
Right Field
Writing Ciub Has
Interesting Meet
The last open meeting of the term
for the Writing Ciub was held at
Autry House Monday night. An in-
teresting program, attended by lively
critical discusaion, was enjoyed.
W. N. Barnea read a story, "The
Miaaion," containing an amuaing de-
nouement; E. S. Wilkinaon read aev-
eral original poema; and Misa Sybil
Denniaton offered a clever one-act
play, "The Liar," which brought galea
of laughter from the aaaembiy.
OF'22
NDSTO
OUTLINE PLAN
OF MEMORIAL
First Contributions to
Proposed Fund Are
Received Promptly
Ideas Are Suggested
Response to the form ietter maHed
each of the members of the Ciass of
'22 for the initiai payment of $10
per capita for the proposed memoriat
fund of $4500 has been spirited and
the Memoria) Committee is assured
that the fund wili be raised, R. P.
Wiiliams, chairman of the committee
said yesterday.
Houston members of the class have
answered the letter in greatest uum-
bers. Fred D. Hargis, of the comittee
to raise the ufnd, was the first to
answer the ietter and Hit! C. Gresham
of Temple, former editor of the Camp-
anile, was the second to respond, ac-
cording to the Secretary-Treasurer of
the ciass.
Many of the students reside outside
of Texas. Six members of the ciass
are in Schenectady, N. Y., employed
by the Genera! Electric Company.
Two answers have been received from
California and New York state.
Ideas for the finai disposal of the
fund are being furnished the Memorial
Committee by individual members of
theh class. Each member is supposed
to give at least one idea for the mem-
orial, which is to be presented the
Institute upon the reunion of the ciass
in 19277.
Premisory notes of $10 denomina-
tion were mailed each member of the
class. These are being signed and
returned to officials of the. class. They
represent the alumus' promise t<s. pay
$10 annuaiiy for the next four years.
A prominent member of the class of
'22 has suggested that the fund, when
raised, shouid be added to the Stud-
ent's Loan fund now being raised by
prominent Houstonians under the dir-
ection of Judge Chester H. Bryan,
theh originator of the idea.
Other members have suggested
statuary, a lectureship fund or a
scholarship fund. The final decision
on the form the memorial is to take,
wiii be made by the entire membership
of the ciass.
Turk Question
Gone Over by
History Group
How the present bemuddled Turkish
situation deveioped in a great measure
from secret treaties made 4Riiong the
Allies during the war was discussed
by Jimmie Hughes in a paper read
at the weekly meeting of the Inter-
nationai discussion group at the Autry
House Wednesday night.
Hughes dwelt considerably on the
background of the situation and ex-
plained how the problem has grown
to be an economic one. He character-
ized Turkey as b eing "by far the
richest spoil of the war—richer than
Shantung." He stated that white the
Allies censured Germany's attitude of
imperalism, they themselves were
planing to increase their economic and
imperial power andTurkey was one of
the biggest pium puddings in sight.
Woodrow Wilson's attitude towards
the situation was commended by
Hughes, white he criticized Ltoyd
George's policy with regard to Itaty
and Turkey as not being the wisest.
The world as a whote, Hughes
pointed out, sided with Wilson during
the war, but immediately with the
close of the strife there came a great
slump in idealism, which in turn re-
sulted in making the Turkish problem
to a greater extent economic.
A general discussion followed
Hughe's talk.
a
Rice-Houston
Club Gives a
"Spick" Party
A Spanish party, featured by bur-
lesque bull and cock fights and revolu-
tionary parades, colorful costumes
and "hot" refreshments, was given by
the Rice-Houston club for its monthly
get-together frolic, at Autry House
Wednesday night.,
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The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, March 2, 1923, newspaper, March 2, 1923; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth229946/m1/1/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.