The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-12-04
HAzINe IN COLLEGES

In many colleges and universities
there prevails to greater or less ex
I tent the custom of hazing. It breaks
cut regularly at the beginning of the
college year, and RACES like a fever for
few days or weeks II is difficult
10 eradicate, owing to the sentiment OF
parents and public officials on the sub
Ject. who while condemning the thing
In the abstract. in mild sort of way.
practically support it by refusal to
regard it as anything more than biz
OF harmless horseplay. which will
take care of itself in the long run.
Ihis view is justified in regard to GER
tain phases of the custom. but other
and more serious phases which show
themselves now and then in different
institutions are really the outcropping
of the same spirit that shows itself in
such an alarming way in the Frequency
OF mob action OF various kinds in diff
ferent parts of the United States
With this fact in mind President
James of the University of Illinois
has issued an address to the students
OF that Institution on the subject OF
hazing that should go far toward abat-
ing the nuisance. Among other thi.-gs.
this is plainly and forcibly said:
There should be no misunderstood.
ing on the part of the student BODY
Or the general public as TO the atti.
tude of the authorities of the Univer
sity OF Illinois on the subject of haz-
ing.
1T is rule of the board of trustees
mat students found guilty of hazing
snail be dismissed from the Univer .
Sly Since this rule went into effect.
Ill students who have been clearly
proven guilty OF hazing have been Cis- f
missed
"Hazing is violation of good man
lers and of the right of individual lib.
rtv 1t is a provocation of public dis
rider. Public opinion throughout the
tate has very properly set its seal OF
upon it, On all accounts
must be pat under the ban of the
In its milder forms it is a non
ensical and almost idiotic form OF
musement unworthy of the support
r favor of any sensible university
tudent- It was looked upon as a com
aratively slight offense perhaps
venty years ago in small Institutions 5
is today altogether unworthy of the
additions and reputation of nation
institution such as this has become. b
In its coarser forms, hazing is
llgar brutal, always demoralizing
I'd sometimes dangerous form of
'ort, which the university cannot
or tolerate II naturally
ads to reprisals and may thus be-
me source of serious disordef with Y
and without the University. In its d
orst forms. which fortunately. have s
It prevailed here, it may, not inaptly, 7
compared with nightriding, white. !,
pping, and other similar forms of >, =
trageous interference with private :
d public rights. Il
Surely these are reasons emo. Oh il
7 only TO forbid its existence at the a
diversity, but to use every legitimate
cans TO stamp it out !,
All loyal and law abiding students r.
e especially requested 10 co.operate p,
Ith the authorities in putting an i
'solute end to this custom which
addition to the evil it does wufin
g University brings dishonor uDon
fair name throughout the state n
% country and naturally begets
eJudiee against IT which influences
liaVorably the prosperity of the in. u,
tuition. " a.