New-York tribune., 1905-02-05
THE PRIZE LETTER.
Fraternities Stimulate Students and
Aid Faculty.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: I am a member Of an intercollegiate I'm
ternity with chapters from Maine TO California and
from Canada to the Gulf. with central council of
graduates in charge Of its affairs with quar-
magazine devoted 10 lis interests and with many
active alumni associations Such an organization.
with sixty years OF prosperity and usefulness be-
hind Il, and with many thousand names upon its
rolls has Justified its existence by thriving in spits
Of the vigorous opposition which marked its incep-
Ton, by changing the attitude Of college authori-
res from OF active antagonis to one of cordial
support and by retaining through life the loyal in
terest Of those who were made members in youth.
Many o. the warmest friendships known to-day
fraternity circles of the small colleges and sys-
ten CT which this can be said must have n IL
much good and little evil.
The fraternity gives its member a home and con-
genial associates when he enters coege II sets be-
fore him noble ideals OF manhood and high In
oentives which help draw cut the best there is In
him; II spurs him On, too TO excel in scholarship
ard other branches OF undergraduate activity; It
sets guard over his conduct. lest he bring
proech upon the pin he with much pride.
IN the management Of its affairs it gives him a
practical business training: in its hail he gets
orin IN deaating and speaking which proves last
ing benefit; its chapter house becomes almost a
home for him with all its influences for good which
+ts implies; its intercollegiate feature broadens his
view Of the educational world and renders doubly
with college men all through his life; It gives him
undergraduate the benefit of the acquaint-
snce cf many alumni. e circumstance which be-
comes valuable asset when he enters upon his life
work. and It gives him precious friendships which
will be cherished among his dearest possessions
while life remains
have named few Of the things which member
ship IL z fraternity means TO q college man. The
benefits which the college receives from the ex-
istence Of fraternlties by means only those
gained by the individual students. College presi-
6ents have long since learned that the fraternity
Is ready and effective assistant IN the enforce
of regulations and the maintenance OF dis
oipIine- The fraternity has done much TO wipe out
the Old rivalry between the lower classes. which
made haZing so serious matter IN former times;
It solves the eating club problem and by its chap
Ter house saves the erection Of dornitores; IL
gives the college desirable centres OF social inter-
course and activity. and provides pleasant means
of entertaining prospective students and other visit
ors; 1t gives the college it's most loyal alumni. be-
the man who does the most for bis fraternity
vii Go the most for his college. both az student
and IN later years; II binds the alunnus closer to
his Alma Mater and gives him warm welcons
and generous hospitality when he returns at COM
lnenoement at other times
The early objections 10 the fraternity-that It
would promote extravaganza that II would empha-
size tie social side at the expense Of the educa-
tionaI that il would foster snobbish spirit that
It would detract from college loyalty. and that
there would be drinking and gambling under cover
Of its secrecy-have been shown to be groundless by
the experience Of many years at many colleges. Ii
the evils feared have been realized. 1t has been In
s exceptional case here and there. and never to an
extent which warrants eny general arraignment OF
the fraternity system or any assertion tha' i's
tetrinents outweigh It's Dement'S.
JOHN CLAIR MINoT, Bowdoin' 30.
Augusta Me.