New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-19
FOOTBALL ONCE MORE.

The demand by the football authorities OF Yale
for an apology from the football authorities OF
Harvard for certain bitter criticisms said to have
been passed upon Captain Hinkey after the
Springfield game last year intensiies and pro-
longs a controversy which had already become
tircsome. Nobody has ever pretended to think
that Yale athletes were afraid to meet their
rivals Of any college. at any time, and so 1t must
be assumed that in taking course which Is like
" TO prevent a football game with Harvard next
fall the Yale men have been actuacd by deep
sense of wrong. We do not doubt that the feel
ing is sincere but II seems TO us that 1t Is rather
unnecessary, and that this manifestation Of 1t IS
rather ridiculous. Unquestionably 1t has been
considerably inflamed by the readiness Of some
graduates to take the undergraduate view of the
matter and to make Captain Hinkey an academic
issue We have already said that this seemed TO
us 10 hc mistake and that evidence OF the
blr.fder has not been lacking during the last six
months. but exceedingly conspicuous ut alumni
meetings No disinterested person desires to see
a college Champion or anybody else, unJusty
arraigncd and copiously vilfed; but on the other
hand. II Is not worth while to magnify an incl
dent and an individual beyond all reasonable
proportions by n process Of vndcafion when
leaves the tribunal TO which appeal is made
heartily sick of the whole subject. II the indg
nation which has been expressed In behalf or Mr.
uinkey had been directed against the brulali'iss
OF the Springfield game. a reform which has mus
far made little progress might perhaps have been
already accomplished. =
Admitting. moreover that the feeling nj Yale Is
sincere. we cannot avoid thinking that II Is I'M
called for Immediately after the dcploraDic
spectacle which has produced all this luminosity.
It was universally proclaimed as fact that there
had been abonnable play on both Sides. ana
that various features Of the game had been dis
gushing Naturally enough. the worst faults were
attributed by each side TO the other, and In the
excitement OF the moment many bitter things
were said. for which II was obviously impossible
10 call all the speakers TO account. II would have
been much better II indignant partisans had been
able To agree 10 call contradictory epltheis and
accusations n standoff and devote their attention
TO the task Of preventing n repetition of occur
rences which had revolted thousands Of spec
totors and affrontcd public sentiment. II would
have been more suitable and more scrviccable
~ NJ n later pcriod. when rancorOus controversy
was in prospect. Yale men In and out OF college
having quietly stated the facts as they under
stood them, nau lcIt IHcTl I'D ldhc CuIt VI tih'h
selves: for after a long and fatlgulng campaign
the issue Ia Just where 1t was at the outset
One possible benefit may come from this de-
mand for an apology by Harvard as condition
precedent TO the playing Of football game this
year and that Is failure to bring Off the annual
contest. An interval Of peace might not be
bad thing for the football teams OF both univcr
sites. At present the spirit prevailing at these
ancient seats OF learning with reference 10 foot
ball affairs Is not such to guarantee different
sort Of game from that which was played last
wear. and another game like that would bc an
utter disgrace to all concerned. In other college
sports there Is no such feeling generated. for the
reason, as we suppose and have frequently said,
that other college sports do not bring IN
tagonlsts who are intensely excited into physical
contact which inevitably tends to convert excite
mcnt into passion. Such competitions as boat
racing baseball and track athletics are free from
scandal and can be safely and probably main
tanned 1t is still question whether or not foot
hall can be brought by any rules into the same
category. and we are inclined to think that Yale
and Harvard would do well not to put that qucs
ton to a practical test this year between them
selves, II they are DESTROYS to have 1t settled by
common consent In the affirmative