The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-27

year, Yet Indl tHeTS Is ground IOr De-
lieVing this to be true Is the reasonable I
inference from the experience of the
past and from the widespread preva-
lence of the opinion that to make q
senior society sophomore society man
needs the added accommodation OF only
mediocre social qualifications while the
outsider must have shown a special
ability in literary or athletic lines or
gain exceptional popularity among his
classmates. This belief is strengthened
that the sophomore societies in cam
Vassing for members from the fresh
man class use the argument sometimes
more often covertly, but in a way not
less cogent, that they have secured
more influence in the senior societies
than their rivals. Once such influence
gained it would be but human that the
senior society members should show a
preference for their friends of the So
phomore societies to which they them
selves still owe allegiance. Even if this
preference should be overcome and the
four most prominent men We're chosen
impartially there could be no assurance
that the choice would rest on an en-
tirely democratic basis For the fifty
one men selected by the sophomore
societies for the freshman class are by
that election Immediately raised to a
position of social prominence. To them
are given all the great opportunity
which result from friendship with
prominent upper classmen and a close
ly organized body of friends in their
own class. Meanwhile the man who
has been left out in the choice of fresh
man year finds the odds against him.
Even If he succeeds in developing his
qualifications he remains comparatively
unnoticed; for all eyes are centered on
the sophomore society men. Such con-
ditions necessarily push the latter to
the front. 1t requires but little effort
on their own part to find themselves
raised to positions of social recognition
of honor and power.
They are looked upon as the leaders
of their class; almost all the class
officers come under their control. The
german and promenade committees are
composed largely of sophomore society
men, occasionally class rebels and
one or two outsiders are elected, but
the next year the whole committee Is
captured by one sophomore society.
The junior society campaign commit
tee, positions of no considerable honor
and power are at present so equitably
divided that in each society the COM
mittee consists of one man apiece from
the three sophomore societies. When
such condolences occur Is it to be Won
dered at that the aspirant for junior
society like to be known as the friend
of the sophomore society men? Again,
| o+h ~ pnr 10 n ha
chosen the members Of each sophomore
society select one of their members, not
! of necessity the most able, but the one
who is thought will draw the most
votes and they have him nominated by
some prominent upper classman IN
organized opposition to such nomina-
ton is useless. To be sure men OF
ability are usually chosen. yet an out
slider no matter how pre-eminent his
qualifications, is practically shut off
from these offices and these offices are
stepping stones to senior societies.
Anyone who realizes that this de-
scripton Is in the main correct cannot
fail to see that our social life Is still
far from perfection which democracy
demands The pleasures and opportu-
| mites which the society member enjoys
in college, but in after life are bestow-
|. ed much too largely in accordance to
| the selection made during the second
! term of the freshman year. Such Sc
! lection cannot help resting on an unfair
basis. Old preparatory school friend
| ships exercise wonderful influence.
The student who comes to college with
out friends or reputation, who begins
/ a f{nJJcIv
too frequently finds himself severely
| handicapped in the race for senior
honors. 1t is true, and 1t is a fact OF
which we are justly proud that in every
| class there is considerable number of
men who without pull of any kind
| force their way to the front by dint of
| superior ability or worth; but their
| path is fraught with difficulties far
| more serious than the sophomore
| society men have to meet. The
| fault is not that unworthy men are
| chosen, but that the competition is not
| free and open. Opportunities come to
| one man that another man has not,
| and the rewards which the student
| body is intrusted to bestow from the
| start put beyond the reach of many
who might deserve them.
| The evil is a serious one and we gain
| nothing by Understanding 1t. 1t is
! difficult to see how it can be remedied
| while the sophomore societies contin-
| lie in their present form. The whole
| conception of the sophomore societies
| involving the selection and settling
| apart from the rest of their class dur
| ing freshman year of a limited num-
| Der of men to receive special privileges
| and opportunities is essentially undem-
| ocratic. The benefit which the MEM
bers receive is undoubtedly great. 1t
| is overblanced by the harm done the
| college. For the sophomore societies
| to be given up would involve great
| sacrifice; but the time seems near
| when the Yale spirit will demand IT.
| Rid of the sophomore society our sys-
| tenn If rightly managed would be well
| nigh perfect. But the first duty that
! faces us is to break the bonds of ST.
| lence which still Cypress us. He who
has opinions should dare to speak them
| out. The societies If they embody the
| Yale spirit as they proudly boast, will
| encourage all frank and manly criti-
| cism for when we can once see clearly
| where the faults are in our life the
victory will be two-thirds won. It is
| our nature here at Yale when we see an
| evil to stamp it out. We may be slow to
| see but we are quick to act. AS long