IT is gratifying to notice that the attempt to establish a thoroughly representative debating society at Harvard is receiving the hearty encouragement of certain members of the Faculty. The Harvard Union is fortunate in having Professor Shaler to preside at the coming debate. The committee of judges to select the best twelve speakers will be composed largely of faculty members and that a perfectly fair decision will be given goes without saying. The members of the old Union interested in the reorganization of the society have gone about their work with good judgment and commendable fairness. There is every reason to believe that their efforts will meet with success. Good notice has been given of the subject of the debate and ample time for preparation. The competition is open to all, and hence the choice of the picked twelve will doubtless represent the best speaking talent in the university. There is no argument why it should not, for there can be no cause for any one keeping in the background because of previous prejudices toward the old Union. The new Union will, if carried out on sound principles, be a society to which it will be an honor to belong; an honor because it will be made up of men of proved and acknowledged ability, who ought in justice to be given prominence in college life.

The choice of the question for the next debate has been made after careful consideration. While we may at first regret that some subject could not have been selected which would bear a little more closely on college interests, it is perhaps on the whole better that the field should be a broader one. There will be less danger of stirring up ill-feeling, which might be aroused by discussions which would bring out prejudiced comparisons between the two universities. The present question is, too, one which will appeal to a very large number of people. It is a vast improvement over the last one, which in itself failed to interest very many in the audience.