The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-04-10
ARE
Condemned BY
STATE EDUCATORS
Resolutions Are Passed DecIar.
ing for Eradication =.
Immediately,
HOPKINS DEFENDS
SECRET SOCIETIES
James E. Bryan, of Camden, Is
Elected President of
Meeting Today.

Condemning secret societies in schools
as being selfish, narrow, snobbish. un-
fair, expensive and a lot of other things
the Council of Education, which is hold
ing its second days session at the Free
Public Library Today. adopted a drastic
resolution. The fraternities were the
subject of lively debate. in which
nearly every one participated with more
or less yehemence. After it was all over
the resolution was adopted. 1t Is as
follows:
Whereas. The sentiment of superin-
tendents, principals and teachers against
secret fratern1ties is almost universal, and
their testimony, as discussed in the fore
going report, comedies with the observa-
tions and principles OF the members of the
committee individually; be it therefore
Resolved, ,hhat we condemn these secret
organizations because they are subversiye
Of the principles of the democracy which
should prevail In the public school; because
they are selfish and tend to narrow the
minds and sympathies of the pupils; 1e-
cause they stir up strife and oontention;
because they are snobbish; because they
set wrong standards; because rewards are
not based on merit5 but ON fraternity
vows; because they inculcatc a feeling of
self-sufficiency in the members; because
secondary schoolboys are too young Sor
club life; because they are expensive and
| foster habits OF extravaganza; because
| they bring politics into the legitimate Or
ganization OF the school; because they de-
| tract interest from study and because all
! legitimate elements for good-spcial. moral
and intellectnal-whch these societies
! claim to possess can be better supplied TO
the pupils through the school at large. In
the FORM of literary societies and clubs
under the sanction and supervision of the
! faculties of the school.
| "Fraternities are undemocratic; they
cause much jealousy and heart burning.
especially among girls" quoted i. Fl.
| Scobey, superintendent of schools OF
New Brunswick, in his address on
High School B'raternities."
The influence of the societies, Mr.. SEQ
| hey said, was relatively too large. in
time where these societies grew to large
numbers the meslhers grew to regard
themselves as beyond the jurisdiction ol
the teachers and not responsible to the
discipline of the schools. 1t also Gu;
down scholarly qualifications, he de-
olared, and quoted figures which he had
gathered to sustain his point.
Even athletics suffered as a result OF
these organizations, Mr.. Scobey went
on, the teams often being made UP on
the basis of fraternity membership,
rather than on efficiency.
In the discussion which followed
Principal James j. Hopkins, of the
Jersey City High School, defended the
organizations.
After what has been said Just now
anyone who speaks in favor Of frater-
mites lays himself open to being writ
ten as something of an iconoclast." ht
said. but l am willing to be so writ.
ten
He said that when he heard frater-
mites assailed he frequently thought
that perhaps the fault lay with the
! speakers and not with the organiza.
tion.
Suppose you abolish them" he said
Are they going to stop? Not much
/ IT is natural for boys and girls to seel
congenial companions and in the end II
organize
He said that he believed the thins
to do was for heads of schools to ust
the organization for good.
! The first order of business of the
session was the election of officers fol
! the ensuing year. Those chosen were;
/ President, James E. Bryan. superin-
tendent of schools of Camden; vice.
president. Henry e. Harris, principa
School No. l. Bayonne; secretary, j
/ Howard Hulsart. county superintend-
ent of Morris county, reelected; treas
urer. S. E. shull, city superintendent
Perth AInboy. reelected.
The treasury of the organization, ac-
cording to the report submitted this
morning. has a balance on hand OF
sS4S.34