New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-25
COLLEGE AMENITIES.


At tho openlng OF the season In which the
colleges Of the country are especially in evidence
and preparing for the great public exercises OF
the year 1t is gratifying to observe the general
goodwill in which they hold one another. There
NAV be some unsettled questions connected win
the athletic relations of few rival seats Oh
learning and proTess which will develop a ittle
friction and heat hereafter, but at present the
academic atmosphere Is remarkably clear. Har-
ward and Yale. after a prolonged esrangement,
which was trying to botE and credltaDle 10
neither. have renewed their ancient intercourse
in the most fraternal spirit. Cornell, which had
thought for a good while that she had some rea-
son to complain Of her treatment by Yale, re-
ceived the suggestion Of admitting the New
JIovon oarsmen TO the race on the Hudson with
oenerous courtesy and will share the honOrs Of
that meeting. whoever wins The University OF
Wisconsin has sent a crew to try conclusions
with Captain Cooks pupils on terms honorable
to all concerned. Mr. Lehmann, the English ex-
pert, for the satisfaction OF exercising his tai
ents on new material under novel conditions,
has spent several months at Cambridge and Is
expected to turn out fast Harvard crew. lie
has not only established himself in the respect
and gratitude of all Harvard men, but has been
the object Of pleasant attentions on the part or
the students at New-Haven who are approprat-
ing some of his ideas about rowing
In the too long neglected field OF intellectual
connection. and especially in the arena Of de-
bate. the leading universities are cultyatlng
agreeable and profitable relations. 1t Is great
satisfaction to see this comparatively new rivalry
inspirinc such hearty interest. not alone among
r. hut whole
and producing such excellent results. Facility
in speaking is supposed to be an American gift,
but real proficiency in debate, based on research
and expressing convictions. Is far from being
sunerobundant in any country. But more COM
mendable than the multiplication of physical
and intellectual contests between the colleges is
the dissemination Of more rational views con-
corning the true function and proper conduct
OF all such enterprises. There is pretty gen
eral recognition Of the fact that Intercollegiate
sports had ougrown prudent limits, had be-
come too spectacular, were too eXtravagantly
managed and in reaching that unwholcsome de-
velopment had lost their original distinction ana
charm. Happily, the curative process has set
in. faculties and students cooperating to render
il effectual. The mere agreement OF Harvard
and Yale in renewing their oldtme relations, TO
restrict their contests to college grounds has
largely diminished the evil so far as they are
mutually concerned, and general adoption Of
that rule will almost certainly result.
Entirely in harmony with the new spirit Is
the suggestion that Harvard Cornell and Yale
in their final stage Of preparation for the race
on the Hudson should abandon the tactics Of
secrecy and mysifcation which have so long
been regarded as an appropriate II not an abso
lutcly essential feature of training Doubtless
this practice has been the cause OF many inju-
diclous wagers heretofore, and consequently Of
double disappointment in defeat but we do not
believe that 1t has ever accomplished any use
full purpose whatsoever American oarsmen
in England have observed the fact and effects
Of an opposite custom, which has made, we be-
lieve a favorable impression upon them. They
will do we'll to initiate the excellent example