When one reads in the Catalogue the description of the prizes which may be contested for annually by members of the University he is apt to be somewhat surprised that there is not a more general interest displayed in competing for them, and that there is not greater distinction for those to whom they are awarded. There are more prizes in academic and scientific subjects offered here than at any other American university, but students of other institutions take a vastly greater interest in what is offered them in this field. Although upwards of fifteen hundred dollars is offered annually in about twenty prizes for excellence in speaking and for essays on a very wide range of subjects, there has not been a year of late when there has been a sufficient number of worthy competitors to make it advisable to award all the prizes. Last year, it is true, there was a larger number of competitors than ever before, but even then only four of the nine Bowdoin Prizes were awarded, while the James Gordon Bennett Prize in political science has never been given since its foundation. Lack of competition for this last prize is especially remarkable because it is open exclusively to Seniors, is in a subject which is studied by many, and often a special report or a thesis might be sufficiently elaborated without much additional labor. The date by which subjects for most of the prizes must be approved is now past, but it is safe to say that the committees in charge of them would dispense with formalities in order to arouse more general interest.

If there were more academic distinction to be gained by winning one of these prizes, they would undoubtedly attract more attention than they do at present, and it seems as though every possible means should be taken to gain this end; for, as incentives to original research and means of raising the standard of scholarship they cannot be valued too highly. It has always been the custom, however, not to award the prizes until autumn and then there is no special occasion at which the names of the winners are announced together. As a result most students never even hear the names of those who take prizes and men who may have worked for what they thought was a badge of distinction, are apt to feel that they have worked in vain. The CRIMSON would like to have the names of prize winners announced at Commencement together with those of the honor men and all who receive degrees. In this way, better than any other, would these men be brought into prominence and given the general recognition which they deserve.