New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30
DEGREES FOR WOMEN.
THE STRUGGLE AT CAMBRIDGE-UNDER-
GRADUATES IN BATTLE ARRAY
JEALOUSY OF OXFORD.
London, MAY -.

That interesting but not always fascinat-
ing parsonage the New Woman was wantonly
and deliberately snubbed yesterday at Cam
bridge BY a vote Of Lib to 662 the Senate Of
the University decided that she could not be al
lowed to write the letters y. A. NJ. A. after
her name. The lecture-rooms and examination
halls had been opened to her twenty years be-
fore; she had been encouraged to read the
classics. TO study mathematics and to compete
with men in every branch of higher education;
but when she asked for degree as common
reward for successful rivalry she was sternly
reminded that the University was founded for
men and not for women. Cambridge has been
flirting with the New Woman ever since Girton
and Newman were established as residence
halls for studious and ambitious girls but has
now shaken her off rudely as a beggar who
does not know her place
The issue, which has been decided by an over
whelming vote against degrees for women, was
raised by a syndicate of resident graduates OF
the University. This syndicate was appointed
for the purpose Of considering whether women
have a grievance under the existing order and
whether il could be removed by compromise
which would not admit them to membership
in the University The fourteen members OF this
representative commission agreed that there
grievance
a proposal that women who pass an examina-
ton for final honors after remaining in resi-
dence for nine terms should have the degree Of
Bachelor of Arts conferred upon them by d.
plona and that after six years from the close
Of the first term they should be allowed to pro-
coed to the degree OF Master OF Arts.
The examinations are opened to the students
Of Newman and Girton, but when they pass
them credtably the degrees are withheld be-
cause they are women. The syndicate unani-
mously admitted the injustice Of this discrmi-
nation based upon sex. 1t is commercial
grievance. for four-nfths Of these students ulti-
mately become teachers and earn their living;
and when they advertise for places in schools
they compete with women who have obtained
degrees from other universities. such as London
and Victoria. The majority Of the syndicate
sought 10 award the degrees when fairly earned.
but excluded women from having any voice in
the government CT the University. The MI
nority dissented from the principle of equality
OF rewards. and proposed degree with some
other letters than those Of B. A. This would
be equivalent TO giving degree whatever.
HoRsEPLAY OF THE STUDENTS.
The undergraduates have taken the l!veliest
interest in this question of admitting women
70 University honors. At crowded meeting OF
the Cambridge Union resolution strongly con-
demning the proposals of the syndicate was
passed by vote of Loss TO 13S. Emboldened
by this hostile demonstration young Cambridge
has had recourse TO a system Of terrorism Hys-
terical juniors have been threatening 10 leave
Cambridge and TO migrate TO OXFORD If the
seniors and the dons should succeed in carrying
out the syndcate's plan. Some of the best
oarsinen and cricketers have forecast the com
were allowed 20 take degrees. Other excitable
undergraduates have loudly proclaimed their
intention Of refusing 10 take degrees themselves
If women We're admitted TO equality of privilege.
The excitement among the undergraduates has
steadily Increased as the decisive contest in the
Senate has approached. The advocates OF
women's rightg havs been threatened with
vengeance in TT. obnoxious form Of stale eggs in
the evert OF a victory for the schoo-mis-
tresses" The merace has not been without: et-
fec. for toward the end Of tie struggle there
were many sudden and inexplicab(e conversions
from the women's to the mems side.
The undergraduates, having enlisted with one
accord in the campaign for the defence of the
University against the New Woman. fought the
battle 10 the end with youthful enthusiasm ana
exulted boiserously over their triumph Each
incoming train was met yesterday by moDs OF
students shouting the war cry. Non piacet'
Large posters With the words The varsity for
men and men for the Varsity were Haunted
before the eyes of the nonresident voters as
they elbOwed their way through the noisy
tnronP and pushed toward the Senate House.
Eftigies of women dressed IN boomers ana wear
Ing black speCtaces were dlsplaJeG III tiie
streets A crowd Of jewellers surrounded col
lege window where .tmples of French mil
lnery we're placarded as Lecturers hats-Lat-
esq designs" Students laughed themselves
hoarse over the stuffed figure of d woman on
bicycle The male satirist had recourse 10 carl
cature doggerel and fragrant insult. Not even
the lower class wifebeater could nave displayed
less chivalry and sensibility In dealing win the
The voting began at o'clock and lasted two
hours Each voter when he had announced his
"placet" or non placet' was required to retlre
a. once from the Senate House; but the under
graduates. who had no vote were allowed 10 re-
main in possession Of the gallery ana 10 com
ment upon the proceedings. OUTSIDE there was
host Of students shouting and screaming.
When the poll closed and the result an
nounced fehhorns wore blown, fire-crackers
were set off, and the Kings Parade resounded
with an uproar OF cheering. The victory TOT man
was decisive. and the students We're fairly delirl-
Gus in their exutation and delight: me guy OF
the new woman was publicly fecapitated IN fron'
Of Caius. and the remains were carried in CAP
70 the gates of Newman. mob OF students
took possession Of the town and disported ltseif
with horseplay and with coarse insults TO the
leaders Of the wOmans movement. TidinGs OF a
great naval victory like Trafalgar could hardly
have been received with more uproarious JOY.
The University had been delivered from the in
frigues Of the school mistresses, The honor OF
Cambridge as the stronghold or men had peen
,riumphsntIy vindicated. The new woman had
heen dru,or1ed out of the educational camp! 1t
was glory enough for one day, and with egg,
,broyjrg fireworks. bonflres. champagne and
general riot the undergraduates rejoiced far into
the night.
THE ISSUE AND MOTIVE.
Tho issue. which was decided by majority Of
1051 votes. was simple one. II a woman passes
an examination for honOrs at Cambridge. she
mus, he satisfied with a certificate. If she
- = aA...oo NTH the privilege of writing