The announcement that the athletic committee has given its consent to the employment of a professional base-ball player as trainer and coach for our Nine during the coming year will not be a cause of surprise to those who know that the most liberal and progressive members of the faculty have openly favored the plan during the past few years. The three members of the faculty selected to represent that body on the athletic committee, after a patient and thorough investigation of the subject, have been convinced from the numerous letters received from former captains of our base-ball nines, and from the presidents and professors of the leading colleges of this country, that no such harmful results would follow the employment of a professional base-ball coach as has been predicted by many persons who take but little interest in athletics. The arguments advanced in behalf of the granted petition cannot, after a careful perusal, fail to be conclusive. In a letter received from Professor Richards, of Yale, a man who has always taken a deep interest in athletics and who thoroughly understands the objections to "professionalism," we find the words: "I see no harm in the Nine playing with professional nines. As far as I can see, they get no evil from such play, and learn a good lesson of ball-playing from the best masters."

The good effect of the decision of the athletic committee on our athletic system cannot be over-estimated. The Nine will now compete with rival college teams on more of an equal footing. A new-born confidence will be inspired into our athletic men, that one of many obstacles which have impeded Harvard's success in the past has now been removed. It has been openly acknowledged at other colleges that Harvard's defeats during the past three years have been in great measure owing to the baneful restriction imposed by the faculty.- So long as these restrictions confrued, it was confidently maintained that we could never hope to equal other colleges in athletics.

While we rejoice at the first sign of a new freedom in athletics. we must speak of a second petition which is now before the athletic committee. This petition asks for permission to play against professional teams. In order to remove all obstacles to the success of our Nine, this last relic of an ill-advised system of restriction, should be swept away. We ask this not in a spirit which "gets an inch and wants an ell," but because we deem it to be essential to the best interests of our Nine. Should this second petition be granted, we think the committee will never have reason to regret its action.

To Captain Willard's energy and perseverance, and to the graduates who have unhesitatingly seconded his efforts, the thanks of the college are due for what we trust will open a bright era in Harvard athletics.