Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-15
TOM THUMB COMPANY.
important Boating Meeting.


 The boat club meeting last evening was at tended by large body of students, and an important change was made in the constitu- ton of the club, namely, that the annual election of officers should occur before the senior society elections are given out. The question was up for discussion at meeting held two weeks ago, but after lengthy dis cussion the question was tabled. The matter has been an interesting theme for converse tion among the undergraduates ever since and many attended last evening because they senior societies, since the members have been accustomed to leave whenever senior socie- ties were mentioned.
 Article ", section 1 of the constitution reads as follows: The regular annual meet ing of the navy for the election of officers shall be held on the third Wednesday in June." The committee appointed to revise the constitution proposed that the time be changed to the first Wednesday after the spring recess, and it was to consider this proposition that the meeting was called last evening.
 At 6:45 President Bigelow called the meet ing to order. The report of the last meeting was read, and then MT. Hills, 'S1 moved that the question be taken off of the table and his motion was carried. For some time no one spoke, but after the silence had become rather oppressive Mir. Hills arose and said that he thought as the advisory committee favored this change it should be made. Also, as the officers would have long,
 II. ed with their duties before the race, and as every man in the senior class would have 8 chance at the offices if the elections were made before those of the senior societies, he favored the change. Here another period of silence occurred, but Professor Wheeler came in, and, being invited to speak, took the floor. He thought the position should be given to man of character, ener- gy, executive ability and experience in busi- ness affairs, and that it was the business of the college to find him at all hazards. Yale and Harvard being about equal in numbers, victory in athletics goes to the college that makes the most of it's opportunities. A should not only be better than B, but A should make himself as good as possible for the position he holds. Men in training should have respectable stand in scholarship, and be on good terms with the faculty. They should keep their heads clear, and that is only possible by discipline. He did not see any valid objection to the proposed change, and did not believe that any man chosen for office, even if afterwards he should be elect cd to society would violate the trust re- posed in him, and, if he did, bane would rest upon him ever afterwards. MT. Pigott, '78, then rose and said he was present by invitation, and, as he never belonged to a senior society, was under no obligation not to speak against them. He thought even if the change was not made the chances were to Fin favor of getting the best man for the place. The records show that the faculty is controlled by society men, They have cre- ated brand in this democratic college so that the society man says, q am better than you" He then gave list of some of the abuses practiced by the societies in the past and thought that all college athletics were safer if out of their hands. Mir. Gilbert, '81, was also opposed to the change, as not more than ten out of the thirty society men were eligi- ble to the position, as they were occupied on the papers and with studies, and there was certainly ability enough in the rest of the class to run the offices. MT. Guernsey, 's1, favored the change, as men at present were elected to the offices out of pity because they were left by the senior societies.
 MT. Evarts, s1, regretted that he did not have the ability and eloquence of MT. Pigott but yet he would speak. He was glad to see somebody speak with fairness, and consid- cred it an abominable state of affairs in col lege:: if students think that society men do 1 not take the same interest in college athletics l as non-society men. MT. Pigott said many illustrious graduates considered the senior | societies curse to the college. He thought | that further opportunity for wire-pulling by 1 the societies should not be allowed, and also | that the good judgment of the college should | be relied upon to secure the best man for the | position. sss
 A vota#as then taken and resulted in the i motion for change in time being carried by g vote of 1O8 to 2s.