Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-29

Of a half fabulous region OF superior
virtue to which We might ook in ad-
mifation, but which Wa could never
hope 10 approach or resemble.
Yet the matter is one which merits
from men more manly treatment.
II is a fact known to all. and we
should blush to own It. that there are
very few men in our college who hav
not at time or another received H.
legitimate help In an examination.
either from their n%eighbors or from
books or cribs; that a large number of
the men Of the college habitually cheat
in all examinations: and what is worst
Of all. that such practices scarcely re-
ceiye a word Of condemnation ever
from those few students whose OWE
hands are clean. In fact, of those few
who have never received any help
nearly every one has given his tacit
approval to the evil by giving help to
others when il is asked.
1t is of curse true that the common
ness of the practice and the attitude
toward it. which every student finds
when he enters college. is a consider
able excuse for the offenders, whose
standards very naturally conform to
those of the community in which they
find themselves placed. But if it is the
state of things among us and not Dull
own depravity which causes h evil.
there is the more hope of remedy and
the more reason why the state of
things ought to be radically changed.
The moral aspect of the question,
stripped of all evasions, hardly needs
liSrIlScinn hnra There ara many pf-
lenses which a man may commit with
out losing the respect of his fellows or
his right to be received among men of
honor. but dishonesty. cheating and
lying are everywhere in direct enmity
with the name of gentlemen.
In the business world a man who
gains profit and advancement by dis
honest means is despised by every man |
with character Yet is it less dishon- |
est in principle. to ecure college rank
in credit by systematic deceit? The
defense which is always urged and
which is mentioned above, is the most
shameful aspect of the whole affair.
What are we to say of a community |
in which. by the confession of its in
mates the spirit of honor. in regard to |
the most important part of the life of a |
community. is almost without exis-
tence. 1t is true, unfortunately. that
iii this respect Colby is not worse than
her neighbors. but her own condition |
is made one the better by that admis-
sion. 1t is also true that there are
colleges in the ountry in which
honor n honesty are still the marks
of a gentleman.
Shall we admit that our college can
be made the moral equal of any
OF that u students are inferior
in character and decency to those of
Princeton and the University of Vir-
But all this has been said be-
many times. We have all ad-
mitted its justice and then kept on as
before. 1t would be hardly credible
to a man who was not familiar with a
college community like ours. that so
serious an evil could be so long felt and
by such a body of men as we
to have at Colby. without a step
being taken to correct it.
The signers of this article freely con-
fess that the great majority of them
nave been guilty in varying degrees of
the practice here condemned. But we
not on that account the less sin
cere in what we have said or in what
are about to say. We have spoken
very plainly ecauS we feel that our
own offenscs give us the right to dc so.
We think, however. that the present
of things has gone on long
enough. and we take this opportunity
10 state: First, that from this time on
we intend to keep our w hands clean
m this matter. and to exert all our own
influence to induce others to do the
ame second. that a mass meeting of
me students of the mems college will
De held after chapel, Friday morning.
Nay 29th, to discuss the subject. All
If the men Of the co0kge, whatever
heir sentiments on this question. are
invited to attend this meeting and
listen to the discussion, and their at
Will not be taken as commit
ing them In the least. At this meet ,
all who are in sympathy with the i
principles Of honor will be given an op-
,ortunity to form an alliance against
practices, by pledging them
selves neither to give nor to receive
lelp in n college examinations, and
20 exert their influence continually
such action on the part of
others. It is the opinion of the signers
II this article that such a movement
AN come only from the students them
selves.
The whole spirit of the movement is
in the conviction that such
Kings ought to be regulated by the
n principle of the student, and
lot by rules and espionage. What the