New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-29

To the Edtor OF The Tribune
SIR For some years past tho Alumni and |
other numerous friends OF Yale College have been watch
ing with interest aud anxiety the OF that institu
ton IN regard TO matters Of University reform. Since
the publication in 1896 Of Dr. Hedgo's article Tie
AH0ne MonUy this subject there has been unusual
activity OF thought upon tho questions involved therein
and IN one Institution, at lcastHaryarl Colcge-dc
cve movements made IN the direction 81 reform Yale.
however, Il more slowly moving concern apparently
No steps been taken movements OF Importance
made in the correction OF abuses which have perhaps
distinctive character at Yale than at any other col
lcge in the country.
President Wooscy has be sure taken ground against
aOsurdity that has from time lmmemoria been sad
died upon the college the regulation which makes the
Governor aud senior members Of the State Senate az
ocio Trustees Of the institution and has expressed his
willingness consider tho questions Of University re-
form when the time should seem to arrive which would
Justify important changes. But TO him and the Faculty
that time seems have not yet come The policy Of the
institution Is that OF bearing present Ills rather thah
fleeing others which have a possible existence and
which they know not Of Let well enough Alone" they
say until there All - something better But
there the rub. II very serious question whether
the existing state Of affairs Yale College proper is well
enough For my part. should decidedly answer that
question IN the negative, and, as graduate OF the st
tuition, would like to give some reasons thereiT. NY
structures apply TO the Academica Department ana nave
sDCcal bearing upon the Scientific, DIVINITY LAW ana
Medical Schools. IL is fair Judge of system by Its
fruits aud t this way shall attempt to show that the
Yale systen has productive Of failure In the at
tanment Of what desirable in educational course
and Of positive in various ways, as TO call for an at
tempt, Mt least, ut remedy.
Az educational institution Yale must he regarded In
great measure as a failure. do not to say that
Yale does not turn good scholars, that all who 50
through the course are not endowed with certain de-
dree OF mental training but what do say Is this that
the true inspraonal sentiment OF generous culture
the unaduerdted desire OF mental training for its own
sake, not for what IL may give III the way OF college
honOrs advantages has had any prevailing IL
nuence in Yale College This Is due TO number OF rea-
sons for the continuance OF which, in large measure,
the management of the College responsible. The
constitution OF things IN the Academical Department is
such that noenS rolenS, the Faculty andstudens are
placed in relations OF natural enmty rather than OF
friendship. A crowd Of young men who desire to
the institution 20 every year to NewHayen, o,d
their first experience examination by terrible lot
of and professors which for the most pat
10 the applicants like ontestbetween opposing parties
the side endeavOriug 10 effect an admission the other
to prevent It. II In any way the eXamilers be
witted or gotten around 10 is deemed stroke
Of good fortune By the applicants for ad-
mission There seems to be not the least idea
on their side that both parties should be working
for comnOnieud hndatAat these teachers ought to be
regarded friends aGd helpers, instead Of opponents
But suppOsng tat a student successful passes the ordeal
Of examination for admission and finds himself possessed
OF the advantages appertanng unto the estate OF Yale
Freshman The almost inevitable feeling OF enmity en-
gendcred by an examination whose purpose seemed to
puzzle and perpex rather than in fair and kindly way
to make him show what he knew is IN 10 way counter
acted after his admission to the College For tho first
two years Of the course the instruction given into the
hands Of tutors whose fitness for the positions they hold
is often only that OF having graduated at Yale with
high standing in scholarship. These teachers, who are
for the most part inexperienced in teaching and unfit for
The successful control OF the young men who come under
their charge have almost the entire management OK the
| Freshman and Sophomore classes. They conduct the
Rotations and keep the marks for scholarship and have
supervision Of the manners, morals, and habits OF
those under them, giving marks for msdemeanors, as
well repTOOf and warnings for all sorts Of oenses, and
attending TO excuses for nnn-perfOrnance OF duty or
other gularitics They sometimes who are
entirely untitled gain the respect Of students ard this
added 10 want Of experience and the natural
| ness Of the relation between them ard the
| students, gives rise TO the most deporable re-
| suits. There is more disgraceful exhibition
than the recitation Of the unpopular and inefficient
tutor appeal TO any graduate of Yale within a dozen
years if he has not often IL his college experience vii.
messed such scenes this: The tutor aronlug away
with some explanation OF the second tense
obscure passage III Horace to full Of nattcptiyC
in the tutors box and that lie has qualities
compel respect that he dig" 10 college, and
has been prlg ever since, feel quite at liberty to
press their dsapprOyal Of him IN every way. While he
explains they amuse themselves with private
on alterations, and sguab0les legdri is gotten
up behind the seats small bonres started with paper
and matches any of thousand tricks and eapers
red which the fertile ingenuity OF students eau de-
WISE This may be the worst side OF the picturo but
take The best view Of Instruction given at Yale Here
popular and experienced professor. His classes
tentve and good order marks the recitation, Yet
here the defects of deeplad and anquaed system APP
pear By the regulations Of the institution this profess
sor must mark each recitation and conduct examinations
at the close Of each term and assist at tremendous
nual ut the end Of the college year. lie is
made, whether lie will or no, marking
machine, and the student is inevitably led to
make marks and his college standing in the matter OF
scholarship the prime motive of his study. This its
best The true object OF education, the development Of
mind is forgotten in the for standing by those
who really do study in college. Between the first two
three scholars in the class the apt be one
aud in spite OF themselves the candidates for the vaedc
tory nd themselves studying for and their own
mental benefit The tendency of all this s IN the Of
every student 10 make him look out at recitation for the
mark he get therein not for the benefit ho should
In the proper study Of a lesson.
to be viewed fortunate escape IL one having
not prepared lesson. escapes failure by being called
up TO recle Ihe fact or his mental training being some
what inerfered with docs MT occur TO him. He rejoces
in the avoidance OF funk" and the preservation
standing Ihave heard the best OF students Yale con.
fess that the motive for study which chiefly Influenced
them the desire Of ahgn standing and not the most
advantageous Of mental discipline and 1t is just
rae of all the that they study with this desire
their minds eye. The good scholars study for good
standing and the poor scholars that they may have
standing enough enable them get along and escape
dropping" for poor scholarship Genuine work from
the love OF it and what naturally brings, exceed