West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-06-06
SOCIAL RECREATION
Among tho Students at tho
University.
Some Information ana Criticism In
Regard 20 the Matter.

'''~ "'~ Va N"C by HlHdSiuil
one evening each week for the pur-
pose of social amusement and inter
course in the way of dancing, under
the supervision and control OF one
of the officials Of the University.
The Times heads an article on the
subject "The University Stencil"
ana goes on in just such an intern
perate strain of narrow minded,
intolerant and orthodox bigotry,
that it makes itself ridiculous and
Injuries the cause it advocates. The
Times calls on all good religious
people to withdraw their patronage
and send their children to the Con
ference Seminary at Buckhannon.
This gives the whole secret away
and shows that the real object is to
create a prejudice against the Uni
versity ia favor of the Seminary.
So far as the order of the Board is
concerned we heartily commend it
as being proper and right and in the
interest of morality, good conduct,
physical and mental development
and the better interest of the stu
dents generally.
To back up this broad statement,
let us just recite few facts of which
the NJ. E. Times is probably ignor-
ant. Previous to the reign of Pres
ident Raymond, the students were
allowed the use of the gymnasium
for a weekly dance and here they
held informal social gatherings at
tended by some of the professors
and always under the supervision of
some official. 1t cost the Univer.
sity and the taxpayer nothing and
the students but a tri1e for music
and prehaps occasionally some light
refreshments. All students had ac-
cess and could afford to attend and
indulge IN this social recreation in
the society of ladies and gentlemen
and receive physical and social
culture and refined bearing that
can be attained in no other way.
This was much better than being
out on the streets indulging in
a night-shirt parade or = riot of
some kind in order to lie. off the
usual surplus of youthful cxhuber-
ance. President Raymond stopped
the social meetings at the University
and refused the use Of the gymna-
SUM or any other property of the
University for dancing. What was
the result? Did he stop the dane
ing ? Did, he change youth into
decrepit old age by one fell stroke of
his pen ? Did he curb the flow of
youthful spirits and the desire for
recreation ? Not as the Court
knows of, for the dancing went on
in far more eXtravagant and dis
eliminating manner than ever be-
fore. The "high.roller" students
and those who could afford it went
to the most expensive hotel in the
town and had regular dances, with
high priced music, expensive re-
freshments, cut flowers, carriages,
dress suits etc. that cut out the
majority of the students from par
ticipation, as the poor ones could
not afford to keep pace and many
OF them sought other forms Of
amusement and recreation that
were not under the supervision Of a
teacher and perhaps questionable to
say the least. The boys were bound
to let off steam and as is we'll known
they have been into more trouble
of nights during this time than ever
before perhaps. Had several riots
ON the streets and been hauled up
IN Police Court and fined. Distur-
bed exercises at the Opera House
and even broken out in open revolt
at the Chapel Hall of the Uniyer-
siiy and seriously disturbed public
meetings, so that some of them
were suspended and even expelled.
We do not say that all this was
chargcable entirely TO their not
having social dances at The Uniyer-
sity but it had considerable TO do
with it, for boys will be boys and
they must have and should have
certain amount Of social and phys
ical recreation and there is mo- bel
ter or more enjoyable form of it
than dancing under we'll regulated
restrictions and it ls much better
for thc boys 70 engage init than 20
be .oafing around ON The streets
There is no compu'uou about az
tending these dances and those who
do not want TO attend or who have
scmpics against doing So, can stay
away Bot they win be sure 20 i'm
dpIgc in some other recreation. be.
cause they canno. and should not
study alI the time.
HeHHaHH