THE question whether credit shall be given for work done on college papers has been a growing one and one which is certainly worth looking at from all sides. It has been claimed, and very naturally, that if work done upon college papers is to count for a degree it should be as valuable and methodically thorough as any other University work, and should be capable of supervision by the faculty.

The work done upon college papers is of five kinds: reporting, writing of editorial matter, stories, reviews etc., editing, drawing and the business management. All this work takes as much time and calls for as much application as does any average University course. If pursued with the earnestness that it generally is, it is certainly productive of marked improvements in a student's powers. To those who are going into journalism it is of considerable value as a preparation for that profession, and it is excellent training for the others as a means of discipline and culture. On the other hand, the arguments against giving credit for such work are based on the nature of the work, and on the condition in which it is performed. In regard to the first objection, it is said that the work is often trivial and calls for no exercise of judgment or application of principles. The writing, as an exercise for mental powers, is considered to be too hurried and careless, and the grade of work often deteriorates instead of improves.

It is sincerely to be hoped, however that the time will come when work on college papers will be better recognized and appreciable credit given it. It is at least equal to an average course in the college curriculum, in the amount of time it requires and especially in the discipline and training derived from it. Just what form that credit should be is another question. But it is certain that the supplementary relation the work now bears to the academic courses is not sufficient. The training on a college paper certainly tends to develop a man's talents in a practical way and it seems as if that training might be made more than supplementary, and some practical credit be given it.