New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-18

to us Why such thing as bell should
Be- Attached % 1 deaf and dumb asylum.
However, the oct was done, and the dons
had no other way to find out the culprits
than by hauling each one up on the wit
ness stand and compel him to testify in
his own case. This the high spirited
young fellows promptly. refused to do.
The faculty were graveled at this un-
looked for obstinacy, and finally resorted
to the questionable expedient Of dismissing
twenty-four Of them. The professor init
mates in his letter that many of those
who have been dismissed and disgraced,
so far as such q dismissal, for such a
cause, can disgrace young gentlemen,
probably had no hand in removing the
obnoxious bell. But because they repudi-
ated the extraordinary rules of jurispru-
dence which appear to prevail at the uni
versity, their studies are interrupted and
they are sent forth to their friends in a
nall crude cOnUuOn.
An individual youth, who had been
guilty of wrongful prank, would, no
doubt, be at full liberty, according to the
code of honor prevailing among boys, to
come forward and make clean breast Of
it. But then he could only do this vol
unfairly. Any attempt on the part of the
professors at bullying would naturally be
resented by the whole corps, and defeat
the end desired. For this reason we think
the faculty made mistake in showing up
ultimate dismissal as the alternative of
disclosure. For boys are the most difficult
little fellows to bully in the world.
As the university is State institution,
and supported mainly by public funds,
the affair should be made a subject Of
legislative inquiry. Our sympathies are
with the boys, not because they removed
the useless bell, which was, no doubt, a
nuisance, but because they have been
punished for showing a manly spirit
Perhaps legislative committee may re-
commend reversal of the orders of the
Superintendent, even though it should in
volve the resignation of that official.
The following is portion Of Professor
Boyd's statement:
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY. !
Baton Rouge, November b. 1871.
Special Orders, No. H.
/. For refusing to answer the question of
the superintendent, ''Were you engaged or
concerned in breaking down the hell Of the
Deaf and Dumb Asylum on the night of
the eleventh Instant" and thus prevent
ing him from pursuing an investigation,
which he believed to be necessary tor the
proper maintenance of discipline and order
at the university, as we'll as the protection
of the property of the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum, the following named cadets are
hereby dismissed:
II. The superintendent ia grieved at the
necessity of this order. 1t is terrible
thing to be compelled to dismiss so many
young men, some Of whom are our brightest
and best in every respect. They. did a
thOughtless but dangerous act, which in
intended merely to shield theis fellow ca
diets, and meant no harm to the university ::
and once having acted, they then did wrong
in not, on further reflection. recedng from
their action, as was clearly their duty to
themselves, their parents. and the uni
versity.
In word, they have let what they be-
lieved to be their duty to their fellows over
ride every other consideration Of duty
which was wrong.
Remember that no one cadet, wearing our
cloth, can do an act which does not reflect
upon and greatly concern all; hence all are
responsible for what any one may do; and,
unless the few who may violate good order
and discipline can be found out, all must, in
some way, necessarily suffer.
1t is, therefore, for the good Of the cadets,
one and all; for the well-being OF the Uni
versity, and for the protection Of Our neigh.
bOrs from the rash and thOughtless conduct
of our young people, that the superintendent
must have the right to interrogate each and
every cadet as to his completely in any
given act which he may have reason to be-
lieve was committed by members of the
corps.
May we never again experience an Occa-
sion of such sadness and sorrow as this: and
may this misfortune in no wise affect in
after life the prospects Of our young friends
who leave us with none other than feelings
of sympathy. our respect and our love, and
with our best wishes for their future sue
cess and happiness.
Present or absent, may God ever bless
them. u. F. BOYD.
Superintendent.