Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-06
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT
LIVELY DISCUSSION IN DUBLIN
OVER woMEN's DEGREES.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star
DUBLIN, May 80. 1905.
There Is tempest in a teapot which
may grow to tempest of larger proper
lions unless the matter is speedily hushed
up over the discussion that is raging round
the question of Dublin University and de-
gfees for women
1t appears that some of the English and
Irish newspapers printed statements to the
effect that the system of granting degrees
to women by Dublin University was de-
tended upon the ground Of financial neces-
sity, and that there was strong body of
dublin University opinion hostile to the in
hoVatlon All might have gone well, since
neither in England nor Ireland do people
generally take the statements of the daily
newspapers with as much seriousness as
lew years ago. but Anthony Trail the pro-
Vost, becoming offended at what he regard
Cd as structures upon the university, rushed
into print, claiming that there was not The
slightest foundation for either of the state
ments. He said that the university was UNI
DER no financial straits. and that no one
mad ever suggested that the action of the
college authorities required defense
He claimed that they had only done for
these ladies what they had always done for
men from Oxford and Cambridge who have
the same qualifications, and what would be
done for their own lady students when
they shall have qualified for those degrees.
OPINION, according to
PROVOST Trail, was markedly in favor OF
the admission of women to degrees ii be-
ing specially shown by the overwhelming
majority of a to IL in the senate of the
university after very full debate Ac-
cording TO the provost the admission Of
women TO the university carried with it all
OIL the consequences that apply to men, and
no one inside or outside the college. 1t was
claimed, had ever before publicly signified
olssent as to what had been done
Much
Instead of quieting criticism. criticism has
been aroused Even friends of the inno-
walton admit that it has surprised and en-
harrassed the college by reason of its very
success. Originally. It is understood. the
OBJECT was to make provision for ladies
VINO were qualifying for degrees at Oxford
ana cambridge in the intervals between
the time when Trinity College opens Its
ooors TO women and the time when no
woman who wants degree will have any
excuse Cor not taking out her full course
In Trinity College, Dublin
LII iact. as at present arranged the sys-
tenn ought to cease to exist at the end Of
next year. 1t was not thought that it
would De used in a retroactive manner but
II has been so used. and herein lies the rea-
son for the criticism. At the last COM
mencements eighty-four ladies from Ok
ford and Cambridge paid to Trinity College
sum Of between $500 and 5000 as the
price of degrees
The commercial element has become more
dominant in these transactions than would
seem to accord with the academic tradi-
tons of Trinity College. Referring to the
matter, writer in the Irish Times says:
TO see patches of damseIs six at time.
hurried up to a platform and lined I'D round
table, while few words of Latin were
addressed to them and then hurried down
again to make room for a fresh consign-
ment. was more suggestive of commercial
transaction than an academic ceremony"