The sun., 1883-12-30

The Faculty Of Bowtloin College have de-
yi.cd n novel scheme for the government of
the young men studying in that institution.
They have organized court of justice, con-
sisting of the President of the College and a
jury Of undergraduates. The jury serves
for year. 1t is elected by the students on
the following basis of representation Each
of the four classes is entitled to Il jurynau;
each chartered chapter OF an intercollegiate
Greek Letter fraternity has representative,
provided the chapters membership is at least
ten, while the smaller societies may club to-
gether and mako up that number; finally,
the students who belong TO no secret So
ciety-oudcns, as they are called at Bow
doin-elect one member of the jury. The
official recognition by the Faculty Of the cX-
istcnce Of the Greek Letter secret societies,
and the implication that the political and
social condition OF the oudens is inferior to
that Of the society members, are not the
least curious features OF the system.
The court L. Is chosen has jurisdiction in
all matters Of college discipline, with few
exceptions, and it administers justice in dis
putcs among the students, or between the
students and the Faculty. The jury, by
unanimous vote finds n verdict ON questions
of fact, and it also fixes the penalty in cases
| of conviction. The President of the College
| can remit or mitigate the jury's sentences,
but he has no power to increase their Sc
verify. The culprits fate therefore, is
practically in the hands Of his fellow students.
The cases which lie outside OF the iuris-
diction Of the tribunal are those involving
questions OF college dues. of rank and
honors, of conduct in the recitation room,
and OF attendance at required exercises. In
all other respects, the Faculty have conceded
to the undergraduates the right of self
government. The trHnsgressor is tried by q
jury of his peers, and they lx guilt or in
noccncc upon him. and pronounce sentence
according to tho following graded schedule
Of offences and penalties:
| l. Deliberate Observation-Disclosures rable dismissal.
2 Grave misdcmeanor-Relnov with privilege of
entering another college.
> Major onences-Suspension. Or rcprimand with
notihc alton to parents.
| T. Minor oHencca-Adnoniti or reprimand.
There is an important feature of this
system which must not be overlooked. The
student who is arraigncd before the jury for
trial cannot enter the legal plea OF mot
guilty." and thus throw tho burden OF
proof upon the prosecution. He il
held responsible for tho truth ol
his plea, as for the truth OF the tcs.
timony which he may render in his own
defence. II it Is proved that he has lied in
his plea, ho is Immediately amenablc tt
prosecution for deliberate falschood and tt
/ the sevcrest punishment known to the col
I lcge code. This simplics tho investigation,
by the Jury.
4 or course, all this amounts to surrender
l by the college authorities OF large share o
:. the parental control which they havo Gxer
cised over the goings and comings OF tn,
: students. 1t Is an attempt to strengthen tn
!, sense of citizenship and OF individual re
u sponsibity III the college community. As
i matter OF fact we understand, tho new sys
b tenn Is primarily directed against the prac
q tice Of hazlDg, custom which for man
o years has been maintained at Bowdoin Col
s lego with uncommon pcrsistency and fire.
Iucntly with fcrocity that has given tn
t friends of the institution much trouble. TIL
/ traditions of college life are cast iron, SO ia
y as the regulation Of the behavior of the low
y est class is concerned. A case now befor
x the jury is reported by a Brunswick CORE
IT spondent OF the Boston Globe. Two brother
G named MoULToN, OF the Freshman class
u were maltreated by the Sophomores becaus
y they ventured to sing in public the followin
70 foolish verses from song which colles
t. custom has long held as forbidden music
II tho newcomers
Then hide the grinnng skeleton and shut the coffin Ii
And screw the Freshman in it, till his infant form
II hid;
For he must learn that he must do precisely - he's bi
"a For Phi Chis in her ancient glory. :;
There pals, and there arc Windows and thers
water In the WELL
o. As the Freshman will discover, II the Freshman cuts
10 swell
re Oh water for his diet. till existence 10 q hell,
of For Phi chi'' In her sncisnt glory"
80 The experiment OF jury trial Is alread
In several months old at Bowdoin College. A
d. cording to all reports. 1t has proved success
" full. Tho Rentlmant a0ainst hazinu and ]