New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-19

advantage to be thus elected and is consequently
ba nd on or nvna 70 on these societies. There are
hut two Sophomore societies now In Yale and they stand
by themselves without afaton In other institutions,
but otherwise resemble in character the Junior secret
cietes which chapters OF extensive fraternes ex-
tending through numerous other Colleges in the country
The objects Of these societies are in general good fellow
ship and literary culture, ana their exercises eating,
drinking speech-makng, dramatic performances, and
various other literary exercises. Their advantages
the promotion OF sOciaty aud certain rather ncOn-
deTabe amount Of mental culture. Their disadvantages
that, with many, time and money are wasted, bad
habits formed and bad feelings engendered In other
Ties running through the found advantageous
In the mental training OF students But In Yale, where
man changes society relations every year. IL almost
impossible for him settle into any thorough of
literary drill in them, and matter Of fact 1t lie prob
lasting advantages from these societies.
have made mention yet of Senior societies They
however, the most important or all and are looked
upon by students of lower classes as the great end Of
all their ScGy eoT Their sg1 a @s 8 the %y a
two aud no make up the secret societies OF Senior
wears at Yale The society OF Skull and Bones" which
founded by GEN Russell about 80 years ago, and
incorporated under the name OF the Russell Trust
Society has for its main object according to its Const
tuition, the cultivation OF eTpore s%aking IN debate
but its exercises frequently OF the bumning order
speakng skull and Bones has the higher reputation
OF Senior societies. and takes but Is men for each
class "Scroll and Key has the reputation of being
more OF a society of Jolly good fellows" than anything
else. and takes the same number Of men.
Altogether there nine secret class societies In Yale
and their influence L. great among the students They
give rise 10 their ntrgues and wrepung, and what IA
through the course with reputation except that Of
college politicians. man may be poor scholar and
unpopular and unnoed in The literary line but II he pos
sesses talent for scheming wrepuing and intriguing
he will have great influence among the students, and
in the college. The nteacy OF plots and conterpots Of
coalitions between societies and combinations with neu
trails the innumeable cques and varying interests OF
individuals, make up SYSTEM or rather h0dJep0dge
Of politics. the mazes of which requires Keen ercep
ton to see through There two great objects which
e b9e sn U p%ohs in the eft Of thy classes and
tho hin of
and the bitterness the ryalres, enmes, ana eaousles
engendered in the grand are az as
that they appreciate the eyl OF TINS extensive depart
ment Of college fe ana that they nave eapIesSe1 tne
these societies up TO the Senior year but at this point
they myserousy STOP ana have hO'hg 70 FAY OF tne
larger part Of the chickering's and dissenslos IN college
superior secrecy to all other societies in that their mem
will make the least alusion to them before
in their presence without taking oense and manifestng
evident symptoms of wounded dignity, appear 10 DC
favored peculiarly by the Faculty Especially Is TINS the
case with the Society OF Skull and Bones Some OF the
Professors and Tutors are graduate members OF these
ORGANIZATIONS and instances have occurred in which
members of the Faculty have actually electoneered for
the benefit of Sku and Bones" No wonder that steps
are not taken for the abolition OF societies when
the Faculty have those of the Senior year under their
peculiar patronage An impartial abolition OF the whole
system would undoubtedly be productive OF advantage
Not that societies might not be beneficial tey
carried at certain other institutions II the
three Junior societies 10 choose their members rom
the Freshman class they were sufficiently well
acquainted with them as to know who were desirable
men aud the connection with these societies should be
permanent through the remainder OF the couTse,
they might he made beneficial, at the
other colleges. Az it now exists, however, tho
system OF secret societies. and college politics ut Yale
must be considered serious evil and which deserves
"A impartial consideration than has yet received
the hands of the Faculty; and while it might not De
wise them attempt their abolition at once IL "ond
certainly be advisable for them to avoid discriminating
in favor OF certain societies The 0nus OF the evils OF Sc
cret societies would not however saddle upon the Yale
Faculty except far they may have been the out
growth Of the false relation assumed by me Faculty
toward the students and for the abolition Of these evils
conference and discussion between the Faculty ana stu
dents would he far advisable than arbitrary edct
ON the part OF the former II the Faculty would agree
TO reform so-caed parental relation there L. little
the students would he willing TO reform III the
matter Of societies and college politics. GRADUATE
NeU- York, July 5.