New-York tribune., 1903-04-14
made to subserve the interests of the whoie
community.
SOTTH MIDDLE.


The South Middle question is arousng
rather lively discussion just now on the lale
campus and among graduates of the university;
or. at least. we are led to infer that it is from
the amount of space surrendered to it in The
Yale Alumni Weekly The corporation has
sicnified willingness to preserve the old build
ing in case a sum of money sufficient for that
purpose is provided, but has expressed tie
opinion that to preserve it on its present site
would not be desirable Nevertheless. Inc
Alumni Weekly, speaking for a committee OF
graduates who want TO save the ancient edi-
fee. believes that the corporation might easily
be persuaded to keep it where it is II enabled
to carry out a pretty thorough process oil
restoration. President Hadley's reference 10
the matter at a recent Yale dinner in Mlwau-
kee may be thought to leave his own Judgment
somewhat in doubt. He said:
1 appreciate. indeed much as any one does
the value of old sentiments and old associations.
| appreciate what South Middle meant. hVed
in it two years-once a sophomore and once
as tutor-and 1 know it from both sides But
when it is proposed out of respect for traol-
tion. to let South Middle rot to pieces IN It's
place and become each year an increasingly
ugly monument of what was at pest q ruae rs
past then I say that this literal observance ct
tradition is like that literal interpretation OF
the Scripture. where the letter kiiieth put the
spirit giveth life" When South Middle fails 10
pieces either let 1t fall or rebuild it as monu-
Inent. No if we wish to keep South Middle,
must build a South Middle which will be
permanent and be a monument to the future
of the historic work that was done; permanent
monument. not an old building, unfit to live III
as dormitory. equally unfit for the historical
museum. In danger CT falling, in danger OF those
fires which have only been kept out of IT oe-
| cause. while it was inhabited by sophomores,
men entered it regularly at l. Z, 5, + ana .
o'clock in the morning with persistency Whlch
no paid night watchman would ever acquire
The humorous flavor OF President Hadleys $
remarks does not disguise their real serious
ness, and if two interpretations of what he sald
are possible, the natural one is that he does
not favor the preservation or restoration OF
South Middle on its present site or anywhere
else.
The building is decrepit and exceedingly uh-
coneIy. Except for its associations it certainly
is not worth saving, and its associations would
be half lost and wholly confused if it should
be taken down and set up again on diHerent
site 1t would not be South Middle any longer
or. indeed, an authentic relic in any sense. We
should unhesitatingly vote against that propo-
sitfon if we had the chance
Is It desirable to preserve the building where
it stands? If it were not in the way and did
not. because of its position, mar the looks OF
adjacent buildings. or obstruct the old quad
rangle from which all other interior buildings
have been removed, should say it would be
wise TO make South Middle reasonably secure
against time and fire. and let the japanese or
English ivy do the rest. It's position and en-
vironment being what they are, the jud1cious
thing in our opinion, is TO get rid of 1t as
soon as possible. The fact that its right TO
survive is asserted by considerable NUMBER,
though a small minority of graduates, four OF
whom have contributed $3.50 to keep it in ex-
| istence. is less impressive than they not un-
naturally suppose it to be