New-York tribune., 1874-10-28
4 SOCIETY CONFLICT At YALE.

THE HALL OF A FRESHMAN SOCIETY SEIZED BY THE
MEMBERS A SOPHOMORE soCIETy-AN UNsUC-
CEssFUL RESISTANCE BY TWO FREsHMEN-ACTlON
BY THE FACULTY CALLED FOR.
lPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
NEw-HAvEN. Oct. 26.-The secret societies
at Yale all class organizations that students at
tend different societies they advance In college rank
The only open society is the Gamma M, in the Fresh
man class Its numbers seldom exceed IS or 80 but
they are generally gritty and determined men. The
Sophomore Society of Phi Theta Psi has hall in the
same building and on the same floor Gamma M. and
for years known TO have from time TO time seize
Gamma M Hal-ether by picking or forcing the lock-
or by counivance Of traitorous past members the
SOciety-for in its frequent banques and to the not
small damage carpet and furniture. On Friday af
ternoon last. determined efforts made by the Phi
Theta Psi 20 obtain the keys Of the Hail. which
the jantor himself Freshman, was plucky enough
to resist. Himself and the President OF the So
ciety, fearing forced entrance, and unwilling
to create false alarm. decided to occupy the
Hall secretly during the night. They took pos
session at about $50 p. N. In few minutes heavy
settee was brought from the Theta Psi Hall and
after several repetons OF the battering process
the casing which the hinges OF the heavy door were
attached sprung of, and the door fell in with
crash one OF the defenders narrowly escaping being
buried beneath it, The defenders had hastily armed
themselves one with old hachet and the other with
they rushed QUITO the amazement OF the sophomores-
and smote right and left drawing blood in two three
instances and completely cowng the crowd Of invaders
The comhat was brought TO an end by one OF the de
Tenders woundng an old school friend. whom he recog
nized after delivering blow The defenders OF the
room were then surrounded. After a parley the de-
tenders got away and returning College informed
upper class pastpembers Of the Society Of what had
occurred. The upperclass men went 10 the Hall, and
being unable obtain its surrender got promise that
the damage done should be repaired Two or three
graduate past-mebers Of the Society learning the
facts obtained escort OF police and. leaving them in
the background, demanded the Halls surrender The
Theta Psi being thus brought 70 bay
that they had Dgfuy forced open the Hail. but as
personal favor asked that the elegant spread which
was almost ready they might be allowed TO eat. This
request promptly denied on the ground that under
the the request insult Tie tables
and food withdrawn, and the room put III charge
Of police The members OF the NJ, at their
meeting Saturday night, passed resolution approx
ing OF the course Of the President and jantOr
The action OF the President and jantor has
created intense excitement IN college. Many stu.
approve IT, aud that the invaders served
rightly small faction OF the students say, The men
in point OF law had perhaps right 10 act as they dd,
but cOwardy and mean In them not 10 give warn
ing Besides. the custom an old one and the whole
society played the fool in making such fuss" Tue
men IN question nwnie threatened with assault
alr-Inded member OF the sophomore class said yes.
that unless apology was made, the men woud
In danger OF their lives. The men have, however,
taken measures TO defend themselves II attacked.
Those who have been long acquainted with the evils
Of the society system at Yale are however chiefly In
meeting Wednesday. They say that at last strong
cham OF evidence has been obtained, which can be
sworn by outside OF college, and that there Is
thus an opportunity offered for breaking st least one
secret society such not occur again In years The
Faculty Is however very conservative IN such matters
and many believe that they Will noe take any notice Oh
ne afff