The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-18
YALE STUDENTS RETRACT.
The Letter Sent TO PugiliSt Has Raised
Il Terrible Howl

New York. March IA special to the
Herald from New Haven, Conn, says:
There is trouble in Yale because of the
letter which thirteen lrckless undergrad
yates sent 10 Mr. James j. Corbctt. wish
ing him success in his coming contest
with Fitzsimmons. When the news was
first published that the letter and Yale
flag had been sent 10 the prize fighter
there came many kilograms from gradu-
atcS asking if the particular young
man in whom he was interested. whose
name was signed 10 the letter. would deny
the authenticity of the signature. Then
came the announcement that the letter
was genuine and the faculty has been
holding Indignation meetings and think
ing things 10 CXtricatc Yale from the sit
uation. The Sgn"rs of the letter were
called before the faculty and told that
they must not only assume all responsible
ity for the letter but rctract over their
signatures that the students of Yale had
anything to do with il being sent
Accordingly the students made the fol-
lowing statement:
THE members of the junior class who
wrote the letter that appeared in the New
\ Ork papers wish TO state that they will
lingly retract phrases in it which pretend
10 represent the sentiment of the mi
vcrsity."
The original letter. which was inspired
10y z birthday party. is ~ follows:
Yale University. MaIcl s. 1S9T-Ias.
j. Corbctt. Champion of the World:
=. Dear Strive. the junior class Of
Yale University desire To express to Won
our hcarticSt wishes for your success in
the battle on st. Patrick'S day. Ever
since your first visit to New Haven last
fall and your appearance on orr football
field AT the college. W" have had the deep
est interest and hopes for your triumph.
Here At Yale we realize how much
brain and science codnt in all athletic
contests We regard you as the highest
exponent of the brainv boxer hence our
implicit faith and confidence in the out
come of the battle. We learn of your
splendid physical condition and can see
only one finish for this fight. Now. Jim.
in your training quarters and in your cor
ncr ut the ringSidc and remember that il
was n message OF Yale to your skill and
pluck.
Go in and win and Gcl;ght the hearts
of all true Yale mcn.'
The letter was signed by j. W. Wnds-
worth, Ir., Washington, ID. c.; Bruce
Clark, Chicago; j. ii. Mclaughlin, Clcve-
land. o.. Forsythc Wickcs. New York
Frederick Kcrnichan. New York; w. j.
Turnbull, .lr., Morristown. \. j.; Payne
York: Dallas c. Bycrs, Pittsburg. Pa.
Morcau Dclanc, New York; G.. Morris,
New York: +. w. Shechan. West lla-
yana; w. w. Simmons Brooklyn, \. Y.
Among the signcrS are sons of former
secretary William q. Whitney and the
late Governor Morris.
Corbett tclcgraphed back that he would
put the flag in his corner on the day of the
fight.
What punishment the faculty will in
ilict is unknown, but Judging from the
serious manner in which the affair has
been taken the penalty will not he light.
The students declare they will call mass
meeting and dcnouncc the men who sent
the letter and this has only been temper
arily aycrtcd 10y the prominence and pop
ularity of those who signed their names
to the letter.
The Yale flag referred 10 was II Silkcn
banner of the university colors. II was
~ inches long, Is inches wide and bears
the word Yale in letters inches high
The Yale Daily News, the official publ
cation of the university. i'll an editoria
says
"Thc letter written ana signed by few
men in the junior class is utterly disowned
| and repudiated by Yale undergraduates
Its senders doubtlcSsly composed the doc
umcnt with the idea that it would bc ;
good joke hut where this comes in il il
| hard to see. even for men in college, Will,
outsiders and graduates will ccrtainl!
consider il most serious thing.
The very fact that it purported to rep
resent the opinion of the university OF
an event that should b. and is of no in
terest hare absolutely prevents it beins
considered Il joke. nor is the harm it ha
done Yale and the suOES condemnation
of it by the many communications sen
to the News veriies this opinion,
The idea that it gives college scntimen
or even that it implies college sentimen
on such subject is a direct insult t.
Yale and every Yale nan.
Then, too, the disgrace to the universe
ty of having its flag appear in that priZ
| fighting ring can not he measured or prop
erly appreciated at once. No one her
will be able to deny that the banner wa
sent by Yale men pretending to Civ
Yale's feelings. but the first step towar,
creating an understanding has been take
by the men who are 10 blame for it.
1T seems to be too bad that Yale mel
should be the first TO throw the mark a