The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-15

The students at Purdue University who
disturbed the peace Of Lafayette last week
should be taught that when they matricu-
lated at a great school they received no
license to violate the law. Freshmen are
too prone to believe that when they are
admitted to college or university they OBJ
tain privileges the common citizen does not
enjoy. This is evidenced in many ways,
such the painting of statues. the tortur-
ing and KIDNAPPING of fellow-students, the
breaking up of class banquets, the holding
of riotous celebrations in honor of athletic
victories, the stealing of steps. fences and
boxes to be used as fuel for bonfres, and
the wanton smashing of windows and
breaking down of doors. These are all Of
lenses against the law, punishable with
fine or Imprisonment, and when the civil
authorities wink at them as college pranks
they are sowing trouble that is sure to be
reaped in riot like the Lafayette outbreak.
IL took the authorities of New Haven a
score or more of years to learn that the
not enjoyed by the ordinary citizen. Now
the disorderly student is treated like any
other lawbreaker. If he destroys property
or creates a disturbance he is arrested and
punished. AS result of this policy rowdy-
ism has almost ceased. So in New York,
where students were once wont to celebrate
athletic victories by painting the town
red''-taking possession of streets. smash
ing everything breakable and terrorizing
restaurant keepers. AT Cambridge also the
reign of the lawless Harvard student has
ended. And so it should be at Purdue. and
viii be If the Lafayette prosecutor does his
full duty in the present riot cases.
1t Is not possible nor desirable for the
college officials to exercise police powers
beyond the campus, and it Is questionable
whether the wholesale expulsion or sus-
pension of classes for the disorderly con-
duct of few students will remedy the evil.
In fact. the unmerited punishment of one
youth will work more harm in school disci-
pine than the nonpunishment of the guilty,
for students are prompt to resent injustice,
and their code of honor does not permit
telling on one another. They may confess
their own outlines in wrongdoing when
pressed. but they will implicate no others;
therefore, it is better for the civil authori-
ties to deal with them. A capable prose-
cutor and grand jury that is not afraid to
do its duty can do more to break up stu
dent lawlessness than a faculty of Solomons
endowed with modern wisdom. Fine and
possible imprisonment. with the attending
disgrace, are more to be feared than sus-
pension or even expulsion. No young man
studying for a profession desires to have
his future clouded with a police record.
and the knowledge that he certainly will
be arrested and fined if his pranks fracture
the law will deter him from going beyond
the limit of orderly conduct.
The Journal believes that moderate dis
play of school spirit is commendable. Col
lege songs and yells. shouts and cheers.
harmless class scraps on the campus and
interclass rivalry in the painting of numer-
ais on tanks, ETC., are sufficient vents for
college enthusiasm and less of a drain on
the pocketbooks of parents than willful de-
struction of other peoples property. 1t is
to be regretted, however, that many young
men do not see the matter in this light.
and probably will not until they get taste
of criminal court justice Students, whether
ample In obeying law instead of defying it.