Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-06-08
MILLERSVILLE.

| MlLLEkovlLLE.
THE EXCITEMENT AT THE NORMAL
| A Presentation OF the FscultyS Case.
| To the Editors of the INrEILIGEsCER:
You deservedly have high reputation
for honesty and ibcraIity in discussing
public questions, and am glad to find
that my opinions generally coincide with
your own but Icannot agree with you in
what you say in regard to "The Millers-
vile Revolt. " In the first place you are mis-
informed as to the facts. The rule forbid
ding the reading of abusive articles in the
society papers was adopted in regular fac
ulty meeting on Thursday evening, June
I'd, and announced to the school on the
following morning. This action was en-
tirely right and proper. The faculty, not
the trustees, adopt all needfui regulations
for the internal government of the school.
At the joint meeting OF the junior socie-
ties, held on Saturday evening, June. 4th.
Mr.. ]. NJ. Coates, in defiance of the regu-
lation, read an article much more o6en-
sive, both in matter and manner, than the
one that had occasioned tho prohibition.
This was done deliberately, and defiantly.
Here was a case Of downright disobedi-
cnce which could not he ignored, and it
brought to crisis tho spirit of revolt that
had for some time been fostered by a few
discontented persons, who felt themselves
personally agggrieved Oh account Of the re-
striction of their Intercourse with persons
of tho opposite sex. These maIcontents,
and some of their friends to the number
of about eighty, anticipating the action of
ths faculty, then banded themselves to-
gether, pledging themselves to stand by
the offenders and leave school if they were
sent away. This was evidently done to
intimidate the faculty AMI control their
action. The faculty met on Monday even
ing, as you have already reported, and
expelled Mr.. Coates, who read the obnox-
ious article, and Mr.. Hipplc, who as critic
commended the article and made other
disrespectful remarks. Nothing less than
this was possible, if anything like au-
thority was to be maintained in the school.
The question was presented whether the
Guilty or the students should rule the in
stitution. 1t was met firmly in the only
possible way. In addition to the action
above stated, it was also resolved that
students who absentcd themselves from
their classes Or withdrew from school in
pun 'uance Of the compact or conspiracy
into which they had entered, should be
helci to bc contumacious and summarily
suspended. Such crises are not rare in
colleges, and when met successfully are
met in the same way.
But the question arises, Was the pro-
hibitiOn a proper one q? Had the faculty
a right to prohibit the free discussion of
any question in the societies of the
school? In reply it is necessary to state
that tho societies meet in tho school
cha pei that their meetings are public,
and that they meet under the authority
and supervision of the faculty. They arc,
in fact, a part of tho machinery of the
school. This being the case, it is evident
that it would be suicidal for the teachers
derided and to allow their names to be
used in such 4 way rs to undermine their
influence and authority. No teacher
could allow that if he did he would soon
find it necessary to abdicate his position.
But you will say-do say, .indeed-that
normal school students arc different from
other students they can be trusted to do
what is right of themselves, etc. Now,
any ono who is familiar with such a
school knows that normal students are
like other young people some are good
and some are bad some can be trusted
and others cannot be. It is not safe in q
mixed school to allow unrestrained inter-
course of the sexes. Persons Iho send
their daughters to such a school do not
want them to receive the attentions of
young men Of whom they know almost
nothing, nor, indeed, of any young men.
The object of such school is not social
intercourse and matchmaking, but
study !; and whenever young girl and
young man become interested in each
other they become worthless rs students
and at once begin to demand additional
social privileges and to cry out against
the tyranny that keeps them apart.
Much has been said about the denial of
social privileges at tho time of the Page
anniversary. Now I am assured by the
very best authority that no students were
denied permission to enjoy tho company
of visiting friends. Ladies were not
allowed to visit the gentlemen's rooms,
nor gentlemen to visit the ladies' rooms
except in company of a teacher, nor were
ladies and gentlemen allowed to he to-
gether in the ladies' campus without spe-
cial permission; but they were allowed to
walk together, ride together, or sit to-
gcther, ut all proper times and places, to
their hearts content, with proper permis-
sion. All the stories about separating
brothers and sisters, husbands and wives,
etc., are gross exaggerations. All reason
bic persons will admit the propriety of the
restrictions above stated, and no one who
has daughter or 4 sister here will COM
plain of the efforts of the faculty to pro-
tect them from hurtful influences and en-
barrassing remarks.