Had the present purpose magistrate of the State been re-elected to his position, the result would have been looked upon by many people as a direct slap in the face of our university. Gov. Butler's hatred for Harvard and his desire to injure her was apparent throughout his whole canvass and formed a part of the issues of that canvass. This being the case his defeat cannot but be looked upon with favor by all sympathizers with Harvard, however much they may have desired his re-election on other grounds. As to the desirability of his election on general principles, we as a college paper have nothing to say, but we cannot but feel gratified that as one of the side result of the canvass Harvard has been vindicated.

Last year the all-important question in the university was the subject of the governor's degree. That question was grappled with by the overseers in a very heroic fashion, and the Gordian knot was cut, although the manner of its cutting may have displeased many. In other words the custom of conferring the degree of LL. D. upon the governor was stopped. Now in the face of the election of Mr. Robinson the question again arises. Every one agreed that the custom of conferring the degree was a bad one and every one was glad to see it broken. It is our earnest conviction that the custom should remain a thing of the past and should never again be regenerated. If Mr. Robinson should show by any of his acts that he has any particular claim upon the degree aside from the fact that he is governor of the state of Masschusetts, let him receive it, but let the degree be conferred upon the man and not upon the office. We have been relieved from a disagreeable state of affairs by the action of the overseers last year, and let us see to it that we are never again to be placed in a similar disagreeable situation.