New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-01
VOMEN 1T COLUMBIA COLLEGE.

AN UNDERGRADUATES REPLIES TO PROFESSOR DRIs-
Ter, AND ARGUES IN FAVOR OF CoEDUcATIoN.
To the E2ttor Oj The Trtb"ne.
SIR: My attention was attracted by an
interview in THE TRIBUSE of November 1G with Pro-
fesssr Dlifer the subject Of the cOeducaon of the
sexes, with especial reference 20 Columbia College Pro-
lessor DrseIs deserved reputation for scholarship and
his long experience as an educator rencer the cOncu
sions which he has arrived of great practical interest
AM value. Certainly whatever OF merit aud equity the
cause which he has espOused possesses will be forcbly
presented by the reasoning OF powerful and eloquent
an advocate. The arguments and conclusions embodied
i'm this interview may therefore he accepted sober
presentation of ono side OF this yexcd question: cOeduca
ton.
After careful pcrusal of the interview it appears
an undergraduate, II he may presume TO express an
opinion that many things therein assumed facts
which are themselves subjects OF dispute. and that
many differences deduced which, say the least,
do not naturally follow from the hyp0hcscs First,
may notice that he expresses himself heartily favor
OF higher education for indeed all intel
lgent men. But 10y approving the ends and reject
ing the only practicable means puts himself in much
the same position that statesman OF Maine who,
when questioned as his attitude regarding certain
bill expressed himself In favor of the law but agin
its enforcement" Next the Professor says that there
are many why girls should be under the SYM
pathetic instruction OF women teachers These reasons
are donbt conclusive, and it is only to be regretted
that the reporter omitted them. But according To all
that vouchsafed 10 Is not clearly apparent why the
teaching OF girls by should be any sympa-
thetc than the teaching OF girls by Indeed to
Phistine, it would appear that sympathy
ally exists between members OF different than
tween members OF the sex. Again, one reads:
Nearly every student enters the campus pulling u
cigar; he lights cigarette between recitation hours
and finally leaves college I'm the afternoon enveloped
in cloud Of smoke" This facetious hyporboe how
ever proves nothing except II be that the disciplinary
rules OF the college IN this respect least have proved
Intellectual Great fear expressed thatif cOeducation
prevailed the young ladies would take up this naughty
habit and that there would be the edyng spectacle OF
young ladies, presumably Of refinement and culture
entering the campus putting II cigar lighting cigar,
cite TecitdOns ana leaving college In the
afternoon nSelOpcd III u cloud Of smoke" But
seriously does anyone pretend 10 believe that Young
gentlemen, the students unquestiOnaby are would
conduct themselves i'll the presence ladies as they
would among themselves alonei Even IL the student
were disposed teach young ladies To SMOKE rush etc
vet to hold that the young ladies would could be
taught such performances is TO presuIp In the aver
age cOllegian the possession or remarkably magnetic
powers OF attraction; with which estimate of his charac-
Ter the student and else will heartily agree.
That decentralization Is attendant upon cOcducatiOn Is
not supported by the results OF many experiments in
that direction In several colleges OF Oxford and Cam
bridge Universities are, within certain limifa
tiOns admitted To the lectures and examinations
men The results have Indicated the wisdom OF tie
Innovation Women have shown themselves perfectly
competent, only tO keep up with. but in many
which previously held 10 be far beyond the r0nge
OF wonAns intellect. II Il mentioned, instance OF
the direfu results OF coeducaOn that Nass8r girls
Inclined 10 do other students do; that they have