IN view of the approaching election of the officers of the Freshman class, we wish to call the attention of the members of '83 to the necessity of some forethought in this matter, if they wish to pass into their Sophomore year unburdened with debt. It has been the custom of all preceding classes to elect men who bring with them a reputation as leaders in the athletic sports at the academies whence they come, without allowing time enough to inquire into the merits and abilities of the several candidates. The result of this custom is, as was to be expected, that in the majority of cases these reputed leaders have failed to maintain their own prowess, as well as to discharge satisfactorily the executive and financial duties incumbent upon them. To avoid this undesirable result, it has been suggested that the three captains should be elected temporarily, so as to have some one to put the men in training immediately; then, as soon after the Christmas recess as is deemed advisable, let the candidates for the various positions choose, with the advice of the University captains, their own officers. In the case of the captain of the foot-ball team this plan does not apply so well as to the others, but it might be modified so as to meet the exigency. As to the remaining officers, it makes no difference who fill the positions of president and secretary, because those offices are mere empty honors. If, then, the members of '83 are wise, they will adopt some such plan as that suggested; since, by instituting the change from the present lottery-like procedure to one more rational, they will place all succeeding classes under obligation to them.