The sun., 1898-01-13
YAIE,s WELE-BEHAvBD STUDENTS.
Testimony ne te Their Coed cspaaet rreua su
Arrny Omesr In the Univsruity.


To THE EDITOR or THE suN-Sir: AS an oc-
cupant, for tho time being, Of one Of tho chairs
Of Ynlc University. and as a non-graduato Of
this timo-honored and world.renownod institu-
ton. feel 1t incumbent on me to state what
have observed during my detail on duty at this
place regarding tho questions Of the sobriety
and the general conduct Of tho students Of Yale
as raised by tho articles in the poce referred 10
in your issue Of to-day.
Under the orders of tho President Of the
United Statos reported for duty, as Professor
of Military Science and Tactics, at Yale in Au-
gust, 1896. Since this time have. during the
first half Of two academic years. delivered
weekly lectures to an entire senior class In one
OF the branches Of tho university and to a small
portion OF senior class In another. During
tho second half Of the last academic year do
liverod weekly lectures to about forty members
of senior class; drilled two companies, averag-
ing about fifty men each, and composed Of mem.
bers Of the two senior classes referred to, one,
and sometimes two hours q weok; gave instruc-
tion in small-arms target practice to about
100 of these students, from four to eight hours
per week. and about tho close Of the year took
about ITO Of the students who had been under
my jurisdiction on q twenty. -four hours trip to
Inspect ono of the heavy artillery posts In New
have also during tho last year and a half
attended mo most Of the special social
their indoor and practically all OF their outdoor
athletic contests, and as q sightseer have turned
out for about all thoir celebrntions-rushes so
ciety slapping. bonfires oyer athletic and other
victories, SC. As member Of tho Graduates,
the orgies ,i which there take place. For
particular instance attended the J ale, Prince
Ga af o Ss Of
in company. with another West Pointer, the
campus. and walked tho streets Of New Haven
for some time with the special object OF wit.
might be engaged in by the students or others.
Finally, as q resident OF Now Haven for the last
year and hall. have been constantly brought
In contact with the students during both day
and night.
To this statement. Of my opportunities for
now add that as regular army officer Of near
~ Twenty-Five years service 1 have had sum
fluence OF liquor to become qualified as an ex-
pert in the matter of detecting. signs of intoXi-
cation; and that @ Gs cadet for four years at the
Justly celebrated for the rigor OF its disciplinary
methods and as an instructor and assistant
! have had ample opportunity to form some con-
ceptton OF what constitutes good conduct on the
part Of young men.
1t gives mo pleasure now to be able to state
that In the year and half have been on duty at
iale, with the opportunities above enumerated
for observing tho conduct OF its students, IL has
been matter Of constant wonder to mo how
such n number of young men are here con-
gregated. with so little to restrain them other
than their own sense of manliness and honor.
should be SO remarkably well behaved. can
hardly conceive Of a more exemplary set of
young, gentlemen than the students of Yale
who have come under my observation.
1t Is admitted that my opportunity for OBJ
serving the conduct of individual students is
not in the same category with that of the re-
porter who delyes among saloons and searches
ever, that educational institution should be
Judged by the general conduct Of the vast ma
jority of its members rather than by the esca-
pades Of particular individuals who OCCASION
ally fall by the wayside.
II, then. the general conduct of Yale students
be weighed against tho particular instances Of
misconduct which on rare occasions crop out.
1t is not doubted that all honest men and
unbiased judges will agree that .'Old Ell" has
not vet gone to the dogs. notwithstanding tho
scurrilous statements OF a reporter and the vic
ious attacks of the Voice. ARTHUR MURRAY,
First Lieutenant First United States Artillery
Professor of Military Science and Tactics
Yale University.
NEW HAVEN. Jan. 9.