Morning journal and courier., 1891-10-28
CAP AND GOWN CONTROVERSY.

A Heated Meeting Held Last Night
 Brilliant Speeches for and Against
 The Majority Triumph and the
 Motion Adopted ConditiOnally-
 President Dwight and Most of the
 Faculty Favor the Innovation.
 For many years, ever since the founding of Yale by that revered and convivial saint, Elihu, his followers have followed in the steps of their forefathers, and though arraying themselves in garments of various hues and patterns, yet have not separated themselves in this respect from less favored mortals.
 But there came new era with the class of '91. This body of embargo reformers, as the time drew nigh when they were to leave their alma mater, gradually assumed an air of mystery. It was evident that some dark secret was on the point of dis closure, and there was a feeling of brood ing expectancy rife among the undergrad uates.
 The callow freshmen trembled lest there should be some deep laid scheme against their infant welfares. Even the sophisti- cated sophomore and hardened junior re- garded the '91 men with open suspicion as speciess of amateur Guy Hawkes.. At last the causes came. At the witching hour of 7:15 p. m. one spring evening a meeting was held behind closed doors. Mysterious sounds of tumult were heard from within; smothered groans, agonized protests, all drowned at last, however, in burst of wild applause. And when the seniors finally emerged into pub lie view again 1t was with the air of men who have determined to live up to their lofty prinol- ples, yes to die for them if necessary, and the next day, accordingly, the campus was the sight of various honored pillars of the senior class clad in flowing robes of portia like simplicity and love. And on their heads "Otempora!" 70 moresl" or words to that effect on their heads was the gen uine ''mortar box'' and flowing tassel, which all readers of Tom Brown at Oxford and kindred English works are familiar with. In spite of the jibes of the ir- reverent newsboys who would insist on inquiring in tones of the most exaggerated interest, "Where did you get that hats" in spite of the silent grief of their com panions in learning the seniors persisted graduated from these holy precincts in a cloud of flowing draperies. The cap and gown had obtained foot hold or perhaps to speak more correctly, head hold. And it rested with '92 to decide whether this plagiarism on the English universities should go down to posterity with the s'Elms of Yale," 'sThe Fence" and other college ensignia. During the long sum- mer months when the innocent Fresh men yet to be, were meditating on how they would renovate the university rr,bo fhor xryha tho r,oindo nf ,Q2 and even '94 were dwelling on past glories, conditions and other indispensable features of college life, the scattered members of '92 bore this weighty responsibility. Among the mountains at the sea shore, like the poor, it was with them always. And when they returned it was soon evi- dent that the class was split into opposing factions. One favored the pristine sim plicity of their ancestors; the souls of the others went out towards the garments in dispute-"such deuced good form, don't you know" Finally @ meeting was held and after stormy debate on both sides it was decided to appoint committee to in- vestigate and report on this subject.
 Last night the final meeting was held. The chairman of the committee rose to his feet and launched forth into an eloquent harangue on the manifold blessings of the cap and gown system. It was used in other universities of high and irreproach- able standing, such as Brown and colleges of like importance; it was an ancient and dignified custom we'll worthy of perpetua- tion; President Dwight had heartily en- dorsed the plan, probably considering that it would add certain much needed digni- ty to the ''senior bow" it was fashionable, digniied, and, last and greatest of all, it was cheap! Yes, cheap; gowns of ample folds and beauteous texture could be pro cured for purely nominal sums ranging from $5.50 to $12. Many impecunious stu dents, who hitherto had felt some delicacy | in mingling in the social revels of college | and town on account of dress suits and | similar expensive luxuries, could now don
 their gowns and participate in the may waltz with the proud consciousness that
 they were second to none in point of cos l tune.
 This last burst of eloquence brought | down the house, and though there were | members and cries of ''Downl Downl Down with the gownl" interspersed with howls, misses and vivid and life-like imita- tions of the matutinal rooster, yet the ad- herents of the cap and gown finally carried "Cap Capl Phi Beta Kap" which ap- | pealed especially to the numerous high | stand men present, it was decided that if 150 men could be persuaded to pledge | themselves to buy and incidentally wear the cap and gown that the class would ! adopt the custom. And so begins another era for Yale. The caps and gowns triumph; long may they wavel