The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-11-25

Ane Hgnt agalnet the Princeton Inn,
hotel established at Princeton, N. j.,
Tor the special use of students and
patrons of Princeton University, has
attracted the attention of thousands
all over the country. 1t Is said that
the New Brunswick synod will take
some sort Of action upon the matter,
especially in the case of Prof. Shields,
who was one of the signers OF the
petition upon which the Inn was
granted it's license to sell liquors.
Another of the signers was eX-Presl-
dent Cleveland, whose signature 1T
was that gave the inn management
the necessary number Of signatures to
insure the issuance of the license.
Professor Shields, who Is o minister of
the Pres sbyterian church, and bears
the title doctor Of divinity, has been
severely criticised by parts of the coun.
try, and resolution condemning him
will be introduced at the meeting of
the synod. If it is adopted, he will
resign his professorship and his con-
:nection with the ohurch-at least so it
is reported. He has for thirty years
been professor in Princeton.
Many synods have condemned the
professor and the inn. There has
been raised all over the country q hue
and cry against the inn; Presbyterian
ministers and Presbyterian associa-
tions have been particularly active
and so great has been the clamor over
tte matter, that it has become almost
national issue.
In view of all which, some facts
about the inn and the university NAV
be "t interest. For time out of mind, |
princeton students who desired to
drink alcoholic beverages have been
forced to patronize veritable grogshops |
in Princeton town. These saloons |
have been of the worst imaginable |
kinds. The thOu6 inds of students at |
tending the big school have ever had |
among them a certain number who |
would drink. These spent their nights |
In the saloons Of the town, where tho |
proprietors would serve any sort of |
liquor demanded, and whence boys |
came forth staggering and dazed from
the use OF spirits.
Such was the state of affairs when |
four years ago Moses Taylor Pyne, =
trustee OF PrlncrtOn and an alumnus, |
determined that Princeton men should |
not be subjected to those indignicies. |
He. went among his friends and the
friends of Princeton and raised enough !
money to build the splendid hotel that
is now called the "inh." A double |
purpose was in Mr.. Pyne's mind when
be caused the hotel to be built. Not !
which might be called what is known |
as first class. OF course, there were
hotels, but they were Of the cheap
kind, and it was in these hostelries |
that friends and parents Of students |
were compelled to put up when they |
visited Princeton. MIR Pyne conceived !
the idea of killing two birds with one
stone. He would build Il fine hotel to
accommodate visitors to the university
and he would supply a place where
the students could be served with beer
university. A stock company was
formed, the, hotel was built and q
was secured who had com.
petent ability as hotel man, and VINO |
also knew the wants and the vagaries |
OF college students. This manager is |
@ very sedate appearing gentleman,
who rulesthe famous grillroom with q
rod of iron. To this man was intrusted
the task, or. duty, of seeing that no
" freshly" or" soph" got into the grill
room-the place downstairs where the
" ale and cakes" are sold-without
being accompanied by o senior. The
grillroom is open until IL O'clock every
night, and any student in "Otd Nassau"
may enter 80 long as these restrictions
are observed, drink as much beer as
he may desire to consume, and smoke
innumerable pipefuls Of tobacco, while
the roof tree sends back the echo of
the very best songs that Princeton
talent can produce.
"a That is the inn and it's purposes.
The. fight. Ia directed particularly TO-
ward the grillroom. Upstairs in the
Inn is room where students of any
class may,f@when with their relatives,
obtain any kind of alcoholic beverage |
they wish to order. This part of the |
programme Ia so purely Is personal
matter that no one has objected to it,
except on general principles. The
rule Is imperative--stude can get
nothing here except with their rela-
;NVes. This part is a hotel, nothing
more; -
''7 Now, Trustee Pyne believes
may be said, do most of the authorities
OF Princeton, who contend that the
real issue is between the temperance
If q licensed hOstelry where there is
the strictest regulations and the in
temperance of the bad barrcoms of the
town. Pyne declares that If the grill
room is to be closed the whole thing
must be closed--that the closing will |
start at the top and strike the grill
room last. The alumni are generally |
with Mr.. Pyne in his position and it is
generally understood that President
Patton and the other authorities agree |
with them.
In this connection The Chicago |
Times Herald furnishes an interesting |
phase OF the controversy. 1t tells Of |
the strong criticisms that are coming |
from Presbyterian ministers In general
adds
THE university authorities have no
hesltancy In speaking tacitly, if not
overtly, about the peculiar and deli
cate debt that Ia due to them from the
ministry of the Presby terian church,
Ihls dept 1s q remarkable one in some
ways. IL Is worth referring to in ex-
tenso.
"From the very beginning of the
university the sons of the Presbytorian
ministers have been educated free of
charge at Princeton. There are many
hundreds, nay, thousands, Of Presby-
terian ministers sons who have been
graduated from Old Nassau with not