New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-27

All sorts of letters from all sorts of people
stantly dropping into newspaper Office, and HE
TRIBI NE has probably its full share of them but
we have not for long time received or read any
thing 50 delicOusly absurd as the appended com
municaton from aggTeved "under graduate
hoodlum." This young person is one of thirteen
hoodlums" of Trinity College, who captured three
follow students and subjected them to the shameful
and cowardly hazing process which has been
described. Upon the facts being made public and
commented upon unfavorably by the local news
papers. the d" hoodlums' proceeded to justify them
selves in card in which they said, among other
foolish things that 1t was not IA case of hazng ,,
but of punishment; that the three sOphomores
having issued offensive publication, these thIr-
teen, considering that their position entitled them
to protect the dignity of the college," undertook 10
discipline the offenders. There was such calm
browsing asininity about 1t that The TRIBUNE was
fam to call attention to novel phase
of UNDERGRADUATE hoodumism in its attempts
at self Justification. But there seems to
De no end to the possibilities of the hOOdum," as
witness the following letter from of them set
ting forth that they of the best families " and
" all gentlemen" and loftily condemning the mis-
cradle little sheets called newspapers for consider
ing them Otherwise
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Your editorial this mornings edition. entitled
Undergraduate Hoodum, did as il usual IN such
articles great Injustice college world in general
and to certain members of the senior class OF Trinity
College Ia particular. Not only your editorial UNI
called for the hazing affair has long since been
tied but II lacks the merits Of originality truth ana
wit Hitherto THE TRIBUNE has INDUCED in UNI
truths III regard this matter and we had hoped that
1t would not follow the example OF less influential jour
nails and descend to the plane IscurrOns editorials But
what to expect or the miserable Httle streets
called newspapers, when THE TRIBUNE. which
prdes Itself on originality of thought and truth,
gives way 10 it's bascr passions ana hurs Shas OF so
called and wit at the public which has already
become tired Of the repeated lies that have been clrcu
lated broadcast through the landi
Not only were of the hest families or New-NOrk
and vicinity represented IN this much exaggerated affair."
but the men themselves are gentlemen, and not D." hood
lums as THE TRIBUNE would have Us think The truth
of the matter Is, that the men VINO wrte such edl
orials appeared this morning are generally those
who never saw The Inside OF college ana VINO Judge OF
college PLOTS from ga andhypcrcrtcal standpoint
one OF the Sophs who was "hazod" went willing
lytho other two were taken OIL Not one ~ them UdS
ledLy hurt, and only ." padded; nor
did he receive enough TO inJure the most delicate
consumptVe The branding consisted In mdrkiHg the
hands with nitrate of siver-which every knows
can be removed, III short time, by thu application Of
certain chenicals-taslly to be obtained. Lastly, the
men were obliged to walk home distance OF only
t,ro and OHehdJ miles aud not Serel, some Of the
nscrs affirm II il not " orh while TO notice the other
witty 40 remarks contained in tue editorial referred to-
a. newspapers are allowed certain liberties which they
take whenever they can without being amenaDle to
law Facts are facta and II would be wise Tor paper
which exeots to considered decent TO refrain from
induging In gltterng generalities which mostly
composed Oh gIs1feF-"llhuut icing ouihOerou Win
truth OhE OF TIE uOODLUMs."
He,c- York CITY. April 81, 1882.
We print the letter entire because it so illumi-
mates the character of the undergraduate hood
lnm" lie assumes to speak for the college
world" Perhaps by and by, after
"a third-rate college lcks him into shape
Not OF scholar. but u scholars ape"
he will undertake in tho Same large way 10 speak
for scholars or gentleman Lot US hope. however,