Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-12

and the president and relate to the selection
Of the members Of tho Jury, but the above
are the main features of the ochcme Before
II can go into effect 1t must be agreed to by
the students and If in practice the students
are not satisfied with its working, they can
by three-fourths vote withdraw from 1t and
the faculty have the same privilege.
The chief objection, which will occur to
everyone in connection with this scheme, Is
the dangerous power which it puts into the
hands Of the undergraduates. AS we I'M
derstand it, the grade of penalty to be i'm
posed is decided, us to its severity, by the
jury Of students. The president may remit
or modify the sentence OF the Jury, but he
cannot impose heavier penalty than they
elect. This throws, Of course, very strong
temptation in the way of the students. 1t is
hardly supposable that human nature is not
the same in colleges as out Of them, and that
the undergraduate Juror cannot be influenced
by his fellows in the rendering of his opinion.
Inteed, we arc inclined to think that the
scholastic juryman is still more susceptible to
outside influence than bis prototype OF the
law-courts. For, in the first place, he has
behind him all the sentiment and precc dent
of four centuries of college student life, in
favor OF the characterization OF the under
graduate as opposed to the discipline OF the
faculty. This is prejudice which is as
natural as the Maynard spirit of youth,
and can never be entirely cradicated.
1t seems to us inevitable that jury Of I'M
dergraduates should feel itself in some sense
the champion of the undergraduate. 1t is
like appointing jury OF the family and
friends of criminal, to permit a number OF
students to pronounce upon the misdemeanor
OF q student, And further. besides what we
may call the esprit du corps of the student
juryman, he is apt to have his personal pref
udices, and to be largely governed by them. An
unpopular man in college will be more likely
to get a severe verdic, from jury of his fell
lows than general favorite, although the lat
ter may deserve an equal or greater punish
ment, Prejudice Of thissort is very strong dur.
ing college life, and would be very apt, we
should think, to modify the justice Of a yer.
dict by ballot.
| On the other hand, the scheme has much
to recommend it. 1t is true university
idea. 1t takes from the American college
the odium aud littleness of school of child.
sh discipline. 1t relieves the faculty of the
most disagreeable and undignified part Of
their work-reprlmand and notification to
higher authority. 1t is shame that
any such petty task should be required
OF scholar and gentlemen it is fit
only for a policeman or an old lady with
a switch. The scheme also, should
stimulate the honor of the student, and in.
crease his self-respect 1t should serve to
identify him more intimately with the in.
terests of his alma mater; to make him feel
that he is part OF its government as well as
of its discipline. We shall look with inter.
est to the working of the new scheme in
Amherst and Bowdoin, and hope to hear
such reports of its success as will recon.
mend it to the earnest consideration OF
colleges and college men throughout the
| land.