Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-15
BRUTAL SPORTS.

II is pleasing 70 notice the increasing
antipathy to the btutalities attending
The game Of football There Is no real
excuse for them, and the outcry against
them ought to be universal, Many Of
the leading cduca ional institutions OF
the country Join in the protest and
some of them advocate the abolition Of
the sport That IL perhaps an extreme
position to take in relation to the popu-
lar game. but II is certain that some
radical modification Of It's rules ought
to be generally adopted and carried
out
Athletic sports should no doubt be
encouraged to the extent that reason
ani fair play would indicate The de-
velormcnt Of the physical Is u neces-
sary part Of the training OF our youth,
for progress cannot be fully promoted
on intellectual lines only. A sound
body II wanted for the sound mind and
Improvement is needed for the genera
tons to come. But this does not I'M
ply excess in physical exercise nor
Vicious encounters in couples or in COM
panies.
The spirit OF strife that enters into
modern football. usually ranging or
either side rival colleges or schools,
Is conducted more in the spirit OF war
than Of friendly contention, and fire.
quently is yitiated by cowordly fero-
city, many lusty fellows falling upon
one victim. crushing out his breath
aud sometimes his life. The manned
and battered foo,ballers number
much higher total than that OF injured
pugilists, and there is no actual need
On excuse for the violence that is used
in such contests.
II appears to us that there might be
code 81 regulations fer universal use
In the conduct Of the game, which
would divest it Of lts objectionable fea-
tnro, and make II really pastme in.
stead OF display Of brute force. The
rules should carry with them PEN
alties FOR their violation. which ought
TO be rigidy enforced. II this cannot
be accomplished football should be-
barred out Of every respectable educa-
tional establishment in the land.
Another kind Of cowardly brutality
that has aroused the indignn-
ton Of fair-mlneed people, is the
practice Of hazing that has come under
the ban of courts and educational
boards and faculties, and for time
seemed TO have been abandoned. Re-
Gently however it has been revived.
una a case in the e. s. Naval Acade-
my which has been under investigation.
discloses the fact that the pernicious
practice is stlll carried on, occasionally
at the least Starting, probably, IN a
spirit OF fun and practical joking, Il
developes into oppression and tyranny.
the strong trampling upon the weak,
ana an utter disregard of personal
rights.
II is always an exhibition OF coward
Ice, a number OF vigorous brutes
bouncing upon a solitary victim whom
they force into actions which may be
amusing to them. but are extremely in
furious to HIM, resulting sometimes in
his deccese. Call It what they please,
It Is murder when such fatality oc- |
ours, At any time 1t is lnexcusable |
ana an indication Of animal ferocity.
a little fun, even at the expense OF |
some ones feelings, may be permitted |
among young men cungregated In edu
cational and professional establish.
ments, hut such humor ana horse
play can be carried on without those |
exhibitions OF spite and mnlice and |
physical oppression that have been a
disgrace to some public Institutions. |
They ought not to be pallated or COW
cred up. Every participation i'm them
should be severely punished or expelled |
from those establishments. proressors
ana members Of the faculty In any pub
lie institution who wink at the atroci-
ties that have been perpetrated. ought
to be discharged from their positions
without conjunction and without de-
hay
1t ~ as necessary to impress upon the
youth OF this country the lesson Of re-
gard for the rights of others, AS It is
10 teach them he rudlments Of learning
and the principles that enter into any
branch Of study There Is no mood
to do anything to suppress manly vlgor
or proper amusement. The bright
spirits Of youth should not he extln-
sulshed or the desire for harmless fun
De Kept down, but the pugnacity, vio-
renee and brutality exhibited In that
Whleh Is regarded by many as sport,
needs to b. kept within bounds and
should not be considered as compati-
pc with educational training and en-
lghtened progress.