River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-11-09
University Jottinos,

The unfortunate and disgusting
escapade OF Hollowe'en night, when
mob OF boys broke into Ladies Hall
aud invaded the private rooms Of the
women inmates and carried off their
laundry and other belongings as tro-
phies, leaves a stain that years cannot
erase
Perhaps no event has ever occurred
in the university that has called out
such emphatic condemnation as that
of Monday night, Friends Of the in
stitution, who love its mission, its
ideals, it's traditions and its power in
making men and women, cannot but
feel Inundated and disgusted because
of the affair.
The public too often judge an edu-
cational institution by its external
manifestations, forgetting, for the
time at least, that such manifesto
tions are. not even tinged with the
real spirit of the institution.
Like an organic body an educational
institution sometimes seems to cast
TO the surface the poisonous wastes
from within aud to many this is a
symptom of disease--it may be in
some cases, but not often. AT all
events, the young men who are impli-
Gated in this affair are the dregs of
the university and whether poisonous
or not, they will spend their winter
somewhere else than here. The fact
that the great majority Of the stu
dents uncompromisingl C ION de m n
this species of "funR shows that life
here is still wholesome. Mass meet
ings have been held by both the men
and the women and resolutions have
been drafted which express the pre-
vailing sentiment against the esca-
pade.
Pres. Adams publicly announced
last Friday that every stolen article
must be returned, and that to save
any embarrassment upon the part of
those who had the articles, he would
pay the laundry bill out of his own
pocket and have the goods sent from
the laundry to the preceptress Of
Ladies' Hall. He said he wished the
articles to be returned clean and if it
were Only possible without the faint
of hands. Many Of the articles have
been returned, but of course not by
the men who took them. Some have
been left around on the grass during
the night, others have been sent
through the mail, but many of the
trophies will be cremated in the
silent hours of the night.
One package was received by a lady
at the Hall in which was found three
dollars and the remains of some stolen
articles. This note was appended
II am sorry I've been unruly,
Here's three dollars and yours truly"
1t is needless to mention that a
great number Of students do not rest
comfortably either day or night. The
disgrace of expulsion staring full
grown men,in the face is not a pleas
ant contemplation. No doubt there
were many in the forces who upon
second thought would have declined
TO take part, but this first thought"
has ruined men time and again.
The local papers have been filed with
communications from Alumni"
"Citizens," Friends" ct al, all con-
demning the affair aud appealing for
immediate and vigorous action
Some of the students, next morn
ing, who were exulting over the eve
ning's exploit, have since tried to
prove that they were in bed at 1880 of
that evening. Pres. Adams speech
perhaps aided them in making this
later decision. G. w. SwARTz.
Madison, Nov. 6, '99.