Practice in Politics.

The Cornell students have determined that oratory shall not become a lost art at their college, and impressed with the importance of giving the budding statesman a chance to spread his farreaching opinion among his fellow men, have decided to organize a mock Congress. This congress is to be composed, of course, of two houses, but the number of members is to be limited. The plan at present is to have the senate composed of eighteen members, chosen for their ability and skill in debate, while the remainder of the congress, about forty men, will make of themselves a House of Representatives. The sessions are to be conducted under the rules of Congress, and consequently very good training and practice in parliamentary business will be acquired by the members. Such an organization as this, where bills are brought in, and motions to amend, to lay on the table, to put the previous question, etc., and all the tactics of partisan warfare are used, possess a great advantage over the ordinary debating society in their sharp contest of wits, and this in the practical experience, which such a vigorous contest produces. The experiment of holding a mock congress has been successful in several American colleges, and certainly ought not to fail at Cornell. The great interest and excitement of a lively convention ought to guarantee a hearty support to the plan, and the Cornell students, if they take hold of the matter with a will, certainly ought to have a good deal of amusement and benefit combined in their debates.