The communication which we publish today, in regard to the plan of organizing class debating clubs implies two or three points which seem to us incorrect. Our position is, that debating is not given full opportunity for development, and that some change of system is necessary. As the best suggestion for improvement we point to the Freshman Club and would have similar clubs established in the other classes. Our correspondent thinks on the contrary that there is no field for further development of debating activity and that the lack of success of the Union and the Forum is due to the debating courses which absorb the whole interest of upper classmen.

That these courses have somewhat infringed upon the clubs is granted. But we contend that English 30 and English 6 do not give full vent to the interest in debating which might easily be aroused. In the first place there are waiting lists of men who can not be admitted to the courses. Furthermore; we think that many are deterred even from applying for admission, because the work is exceedingly formal and laborious, because the discipline is notoriously strict, and because the hour is 3.30 to 6 or 6.30. These are features alike necessary and uninviting.

Why then, it is asked, if there really is this demand, are not the Union and the Forum better supported? In our opinion, the explanation is, that the clubs are, and will be, unsuccessful because of faults inherent in their organization.

We have already shown, in a former issue, that a club which is so to speak independent, without any claim upon the support and recognition of a class, must necessarily be a personal affair, far weaker than one which can be labelled with the class name, and can be presented to the class as a responsibility not to be escaped. Another practical advantage of such an organization would be, that any man could join by merely signing his name, and thus avoid running the gauntlet of a trial debate followed by an election.

We therefore urge that the Union and the Forum be united as an honorary club to manage 'Varsity debating, and that the work of training be handed over to class clubs. We are convinced that a new and greater interest can be aroused in debate, and believe that the plan we suggest would in time produce that interest.