The San Francisco call., 1897-09-09
COLLEGE RUSHES.

While the question OF abolishing interciass
rushing at the University of California Is agi-
tatng the Berkeley faculty and stuoehts /!
might be we'll to give the public an IDEA OF
what "well-conducted" college rusn con-
sists Of
have been an interested spectator at many
college rushes and an actual participant III
one OF the severest rushes that ever LOOK piace
i'll New Haven-that between the fresh men
and the juniors of the heffield scientific school
OF Yale College. The course at "Shef" is three
years, so there is no sophomore class soon
after dark the two classes collected IN 'front.' OF
South Sheffield Hall. OF course the juniors
who had the experience of the previous year.
were better prepared for the conhlct Inc
freshmen who attended regular preparatory
schools Tor Yale knew something OF what to
expect and had made preparations accord
ingly. Fortunately happened 10 be ot this
class. We wore football canvas jackets,
tightly laced at the neck; our trousers were
securely seweu to the waist OF the jackets ana
tied around our ankles with cord. On our
heads we wore handkerchiefs knotted at the
corners.
Until the hour appointed for the rush 10 take
place the scene was one OF unusual ACTIVITY
and confusion, but not of hostility. Seniors,
juniors and freshmen jostled against one au-
other and members of each class specuated as
busters, extending to their ankles, wore tall
silk hats and carried canes. They were the
managers. 1t is their duty to see that nothing
unfair occurs to the members OF either class,
ana especially to see that the freshmen are not
imposed upon. Pugnacious juniors and fresh
men are discountenanced by other mem bers
OF the classes, and if the offenders persist in
exhibiting their fighting qualities they are
Immediately reported to joint committee OF
nj n hur rnd frnn a
participation. II not infrequently happens
that mem bers of the faculty are silent specta-
tors.
The freshman class was formed in a solid
phalanx in the middle of the street, ten stu
denis abreast; the largest and strongest were
placed on the tlanks. We put up such firm
resistance that the juniors could not swerve
US. In this closely joined ranks we proceeded
for block, and the seniors declared the ire sh-
men the victors. The phalanx was broken
and our line of march was on an unfre-
quented street to q vacant block, where mid
dleweight. heavyweight and lightweight
wrestling took place between members Sc
lected FROM the junior and freshman classes.
On the start to the vacant block the freshmen
were given the sidewalk and the juniors tried
TO push and crowd them off 1t. in this
they were unsuccessful, for We reached our
destination in full possession OF the sidewalk.
The 'shirting" rush took place on our home
ward march. The freshmen, as before, were
given the sidewalk, and the Juniors not only
attempted TO take it from them, but tried to
disrobe the poor unfortunates that fell into
their hands; several OF my class were left with
nothing on but their shoes and stockings.
The seniors then came to their rescue and
gave them long linen duster. We had the
satisfaction, however, OF sending three Juniors
to their homes clad in seniors busters.
When within block of the Shelf building
the rush stopped. During all this time-the
rush in the street, on the sidewalk. wrestling
matches and the shirt rush-not a tistic en-
counter occurred. although at times class en-
thusiasm ran high.
You VIII now understand what l mean by a
"wel-conducted" rush Had the late rush at
the University OF California been properly
conducted The present question of the abol-
ishment OF what consider to be the best of
college Gus toms would not now be agitating
the faculty and students OF that university.
YALE