WE are in receipt of a communication strongly urging an increased amount of instruction in elocution; a desire which, from the number of articles we have from time to time received on the subject, we should judge to be very general among our contributors. As instruction is now given to two of the classes, and as opportunities for practice in the various electives are quite numerous, we imagine that the authorities intend to satisfy this desire as fully as possible, and we therefore do not print the article in question. But we take advantage of the opportunity to propose once more the establishment of a general club, similar to the unions of Oxford and Cambridge, about which our readers will find full particulars in the back numbers of the Crimson. There can be no better time than the present for the establishment of such an institution, when there are so few prominent politicians of ability, honesty, and eloquence.

In the mean time we shall have to content ourselves with such opportunities for practice in speaking as the College may accord us. There is, however, one chance for practice which is very frequently neglected, to the detriment of our own interests, - the class and society meetings.

As most of our public associations are constituted, an executive committee of half a dozen members have full power to decide almost every question that can arise. Even when they do appeal to the College for instruction, men are afraid to open a discussion, and motions are generally passed with only a few words said in their support, - passed sometimes, it seems, solely because the ayes are called first. The absolute power of this oligarchy is of course our own fault, but its real cause is our diffidence about public speaking, which represses all public manifestations of interest in our affairs, and which, though natural in the lower classes, should speedily be overcome by men who are beginning to have a share in decisions upon questions of national interest, involving alike their honor, their safety, and their property. The Freshman, naturally shy about speaking before his unknown classmates, thinks that the easiest way will be to put all his interests in the hands of an executive committee, whose only relation with him henceforth will be that of an importunate creditor, fondly believing that the Crew and the Nine will be organized in the best possible way without further responsibility on his part. He knows that a great deal of money will be spent, - much more than is necessary, he often finds, when he has no longer any means of redress. Their labors ended the committee make a report, stating, probably, that they are still in debt, and proceeding to levy an assessment which is, or is not, paid without one word of public comment on the manner in which the committee have performed their duties. The habit thus formed he continues through College, arguing that it would be impossible to influence his class, and therefore joining in the number, large or small he does not know, of those who are afraid to oppose what seems to be public opinion.

If we could only conquer this school-boy fear of talking to a room full of people, I think that we should soon see the results in the increased efficiency of our officers. They would no longer feel that they are left almost entirely to their own judgment, and that all sins of omission or commission will be covered by the vague excuse that they did their best. Even if they are our friends, it certainly can do them no harm to ask an explanation of their actions, while, if they are not well known to the majority, a vote of want of confidence ought to bring into their places men who are better fitted to execute the opinions of the College. If we demanded reports with some degree of frequency and regularity, asking explanations whenever they are necessary, and were not afraid to speak above a whisper at a meeting, our officers would have opportunities to learn our wishes, and we should be free from the present system of confusion, under which, for instance, too often not even the treasurer of a society knows whether it is bankrupt or not.