New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-19

hazing are sometimes selected by reason of
some real or fanc1ed personal observation-disclosures:
more often merely because they are more or
less conspicuous members of lower class and
hence guilty of the "atrocious crime of Junior
ity Hazing never is and never pretends to be
fair and square fight between two fellows ap-
parently well matched. Such a contest might
be brutal but 1t would have ct least the
blance of manliness. Hazing always implies
some kind of preponderance advantage on
the part of the aggressors. 1t is therefore not
only brutal and unjustifable. but mean. des-
picable and cowardly The same features char
acterize lynchng: at bottom. indeed lynching
Is hazing with intent to kill. while hazing is
lynching without that intent. but always with
the chance OF injury. manning death.
In their essential nature and apart from their
effects, lynching is really the more excusable.
crime is committed. The avenging multitude
consists largely of ordinary citizens; they are
many: presently is felt the mysterious con
tagion Of the crowd; passions are aroused and
a second crime results. Against the victim of
hazlng can be alleged only unacceptability, per-
sonar or official: the deed is planned in advance
and done in cold blood; the conspirators
comparatively few: nearly always they are
benefciaries Of individuals. of the State or of
the nation; they are. supposed to be- edu-
Gated; sometimes they even undertake to JUS
lily themselves from their social position,
related in the editorial "a Best Family Hood
lum?" in The Tribune for April 27 1889 What
ever is reprehensible and discreditable outside
a college is doubly so within.
What can be done to abate an evil already
great, and sure to be increased by specious
views like those quoted above? After thirty
seven years of observation and reflection upon
IL, am forced TO conclude, firstly, that hazing
never VIII be abolished by undergraduate ao-
ton; secondly, that little aid is to be- esnecie1
from the alumni, whose capacity for mutual an
tertainment at class reunions would be sadly
diminished without tales OF conflict with Glasses
above or below. Moreover some Of them es-
peciaLy the fpancially more prosperous are
members Of stock exchanges where is practissd
a particularly idiotic variety of haxing Thirdly.
that in given institution haxng might he
promptly eliminated if few fathers op ,nda
pendent freshmen were to obtain for the latter
permission to carry revolvers and II the wsap-
ons were employed for self-defence az In any
other case Of outrageous assault. Fourthly. that
the preferable method is for college authorities
everywhere to brand hazing as an absolutely nm
pardonable offence, and to enforce the peneItv
by the dismissal of entire classes If necessary
on February =, 1859. upon my notion the
faculty of Cornell University adopted tina fol-
lowing resolution: THAT any student found
PEELED from the university" That resolution has
never been repealed.
The following definitions and condemnations
Schurman, reported in 1.-THE Alumni News"
of the given dates: 1--WE used to be troubled in
this university with hazfng, with senseless col
hsions between classes with the development
Of what is called class spirit but which is really
a kind of insanity."-October 3. 1906 ANY in
reference with the right liberty of another
student is in academic parlance hazng and is
in this university punished with the severest
penalty. dismssal."-May 2, 1900. There is
one thing for which man is expelled from this
university. and never permitted to return, that
is. disregard for the rights of s"-septem-
Der 30, 1903.
Like most other undesirable college customs,
hazing probably began in very small way and
without due recognition Of Its significance. de
minimis curat lex" may be (although I
doubt iO necessary limitation to ordinary
legal processes, but when, as declared by Presi-
dent Hadey according to the editorial, ''Bru-
tality at West Point" in The Tribune for Janu-
airy 20, 1900, Yale academic law takes no ae-
count Of trifes, there is displayed about much
wisdom would be by the banker who should
disregard the thin edge of the safe-breaking
wedge Rather than the aphorism quoted above,
the motto of college executives should be "Prin-
cpis obstar." Among the most important func
tons of good presidents should be the prevention
Of the institution of bad precedents
For him who can ignore custom and repress
the natural but unworthy motives of jealousy,
desire for domination and enjoyment of the
humiliation or suffering of others, the tradi-
tional attitude of sophomores toward freshmen
Will appear simply monstrous, relic of animal
ism and savagery, and wholly at variance with
the spirit of fellowship that should unite schol-
ars, with the spirit of courtesy that animates
true gentlemen and with the spirit of fair play
that should characterize, above all others, the
vouth of this nation BURT G. WILDER.
Ithaca, N. Y, June IA, 1905.