The sun., 1897-10-31
PRINCETON INN TROUBLE.
PREsIDENT PATTON rs ANNOYED
AND WILL FIGHT.

what ls Said for IL and Against II.
"I am going to fight this question out. Presi-
dent Patton OF Princeton University has said
regarding the Princeton Inn controversy within
week, although not for publication, " II have
to fight tho whole Presbyterian Church"
He made this announcement in very decided
tones to several members Of the university fac-
ulty, and tho words are now understood in
Princeton as setting the standard OF the coming
fight between Princeton University, its faculty,
undergraduates, and alumni on tho one hand.
and the temperance element In the Presbyterian
Church on the other. Three weeks ago. when n
Sun reporter visited Princeton to make in
Quries about the controversy the faculty had
just about reached the point whore they ceased
TO regard as a joke the action OF various
prcsbyteries and synods in tho South
ern and Western States in condcmnine
Princeton on account OF the Princeton
Inn and the sale OF liquor therein. Tho attitude
of the authorities then was that the religious
bodies were hasty and oficious, but well mean
ing They have now reached the point where
they are thoroughly veNed and angry. and they
hint that there is i'll feeling, ingratitude. and
and spite behind deliberate movement to dis
credit Princeton No matter what the opinion
of individual members of the faculty may be on
the advisability Of the existence OF the inn q
place for the sale OF liquor, they are united in
bytcries.
From the foundation Of the university It has
beon one Of its traditions that young men who
arc The sons OF ministers or who intend to be-
come clcrgymen themselves shall pay no tuition
fees, no matter what their denomination may
be- 1t is part OF the history OF the university
that 40 por cent. Of Princetons graduates have
been the beneticiaries of this rule. The Prince
ton Theological Seminary is one of the greatest
chrfn CIV hold In, has
attracted a great many students to Princeton on
that account, although the connection be.
tween the university and the seminary Is
rather sympathetic than official. Many MEN,
bers OF the faculty Of tho one are also instruc-
tors in the other. Thus II has happened that
perhaps the majority Of the young men who in
tended 10 enter the Presbyterian ministry, or
who arc tho sons Of presby terian ministers.
have chosen Princeton the place to receive
their education. a very large number of tho
members OF tho presbyteries and synods which
have denounced Princeton recently are them
selves Princeton graduates. This fact seems
above all others to stir the resentment Of the
university authorities.
1T is" said member OF tho faculty yester-
day, as IL one of my own children, seeing
fault in my character or observing something in
my conduct which grieved him because of its
apparent tactlessness or indiscretion, should
and say, Ny father is an immoral old scoundrel.
understand from strangers who claim to know
something about him that he drinks and sings
ribald songs, and is acting generally in q way to
bring shame upon the family name and sorrow
to our friends. Rebuke him. boycott him. let
him lecome o scorn and o derision among God
fearing people
mendous tax upon tho university treasury and
upon the good nature and GO erosity OF the
for ] ciersymens sons ION @ and intending - olersymen@ @ %
as as we are perfectly justified in doing after they
place-would relieve the university Of a great
burden. would not be surprised to see Presi-
s.srte SnS 1s sns h will
The risbti atittude for for The people Who oppose
thorities seem to feel was one OF gentle suasion.
otsugRestion. and of conservative remonstrance
sscFs ss the
about a reform in, Princeton.if ii they truly wish
Welfare. The matter Of the inn license ! one that
has clipped along unnotieed Tor more than four
the public in an article that Is not distinguished
M tone. The Hoiee took the position that course
in rum drinking was q necessary rart Of a
upon him by certain members Of the faculty,
who had the full approval Of the President and
the % Toics stirred % np a good deal Of feel feeling az
among the Presbyterians Of the South and
West, who feel strongly with regard to the
Then was the time, according to the opinion Of
the Princeton faculty authorities @ TOR the the
IN the Presbyterian legislative bodies who were
to 30 faSed Ss sg1bnst bst the sas
the matter better be suspended until the faoul.
ties and trustees had been privately remon.
etratcd with In the matter. 1t would have
pie for 't the faculty. q 'A have adopted such S
ter of the business done there as to quiet any
fears that the hostolry should become menace
the present notoriety and vindictiyeness OF the
quarrel would hayc been avoided. Princeton
ing its next freshman class reduced one.qusrtol
or oneiltnird 6{ the turning away OF the sons q
parents to ether Gniyersities. @ % In the environ
ments OF which lurked dangers far more insdi
But inssmuch as tho fight has begun in open
,Gp % ana IN the nSwsPaPSrs preSGen den
face pitched battle though 1t involves him IN
conflict with the might and majesty Of ths
Of tho United States This does not mean that
the present state Of affairs. so far es The
not mean that there are not to bo re
forms and that those reforms are not TO come
committee was appointed to consider % Side the qus
tion OF the Inn, and TO confer with the faculty
OF public sentiment President Patton has do
termined npon course OF action, after consulta
tion with tho faculty and trustees 1t practicall,
has been decided what shall be DONE but The
decision IL not yet ready for publication. The
question IA "a very delicate one and requires tn,
utmost diplomacy In the handling. The genera
conditions are these: Until fouryears ago thor,
was no hotel In Princeton to which an undcr
graduate or graduate could bring women OF hi
family for night 3 stay with any sat tisfaction
There were places, truly enough. which were re
spectacle. In the sense in which the word re
spectacle Is usually applied to hotels, ther,
were no hotels In town that were not respect
n tynr alt thar "a,
or old-fashioned and crampcd Moses Taylo
Pyne. one OF the most wealthy OF the Boart
of Trustees, came forward with AN offer I,
Join nny considerable number of Princeton
alumni who were willing TO cooperate will
him In establishing n hotel in Prince
ion that would be credit to the university
The inn was established. competent man o
largo experience in dealing with the tastes am
desires OF college graduat cs and undorgra duatc
was hired 10 'ke charge Of the place. The nm
nerslnnding with him was that the inn was il
no sense TO he considered money.making In
stilutiun. AZ an incentive 10 good manage