Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-04-30
CHAPTER Viii.
Democracy or Aristocracy?

E11eHxN ton university before he
reached the point Of irrepres-
sible conflict. So long as he confined
himself to the strictly educational
workings Of the school he had been
allowed to have his way without much
opposition. But now. when his con-
structive mind reached over to the
students social life and undertook to
organize that and bring it into proper
relationship with the other elements
of university life. he found that he
had put his hand upon what the guard
ians of the aristocratic institution
were really interested in and what
they were not disposed to see changed.
In brief, his idea was the organiza
ton of the university in a number of
colleges" or. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
~ dormitories-each Of which should
harbor certain number of men from,
every class, with a few of the younger
professors.
President Wilson secured the ap-
pointment of committee consisting
Of seven of the trustees to investigate
the merits of the quad" proposal, and
at the June $500 meeting the COM
mittee reported on 1.-THE social co-or-
dination Of the university" indorsing
Mr.. Wilson's plan. The report of this
committee was accepted and it's recon-
mendation adopted with only one dis
senting vote, twenty-five of the twen-
ty-seven trustees being present, at the
June meeting.
What was amiss with the "quad"
proposal?
Thfs-that it cut into the aristocratic
social structure which the dominating
element in Princeton had erected for it.
self.
If, visiting Princeton, you will pro-
coed to the top Of street known as
Prospect avenue and pass down 1t you
will see something which probably is
not paralleled at any seat of learning
in the world. Prospect avenue is lined
with clubhouses, twelve Of them with
handsome buildings, beautiful lawns
and tennis courts and, in the case Of
the more favored clubs on the south
side Of the street, delightful view
across the valley to the eastward.
Some Of the clubhouses are sumptuous,
comparing very favorably with the
best city clubs Their aggregate value
must be much more than $1,OOO,OOO
The clubs house on an average thirty
members each-ffteen juniors and fif-
teen seniors, about $50 in all. juniors
and seniors alone being eligible Three
hundred other members Of those class
es can get into no club. From this
idea has grown up this dominating
feature Of Princeton life. estranged
from the university and yet having
more to, do with the real forming Of
its students than any other feature Of
the college life.
No one can reflect for moment upon
this club system without understand
ing it's essentially vicious character.
The trouble is that the clubs neces-
sarily constitute an aristocracy in the
midst Of a community which should,
above all things, be absolutely demo-
cratic. 1t may be all very well for the
300 youths who enjoy the delights Of
the Ivy. the Cap and Gown. the
Colonial. Tiger Inn and the rest
Though such luxury is of questionable
value to boy who has yet to make his
/ way in the -world), but what of the
300 young men who have not been able
to make" one of them? They feel
themselves ostracized and Inundated,
and the seeds of social bitterness are
sown in their souls. There is no pro-
vision for them outside of common
boarding houses. Not few leave the
| university.
Worse yet. rivalry for admission to
the clubs Is so great that it Injuries
the work of the freshmen and sopho-
| mores. The first term of the sophie
more year especially is considered to
be entirely wrecked by the absorption
| Of the students in candidating for the
club elections held that spring. So
highly is membership in a swagger
club regarded that parents of prospec~
tive students have been known to be-
gin visits to Princeton year or two
before their son entered college with
the purpose of organizing a social cam
paign to land him In the club to which
he aspired.
It may easily be seen how the exist.
ence Of these select coteries ministers
to snobbery. how they foster toady.
ing, how they introduce worldly,
material and unnatural element into
what Is naturally one Of the finest
things in the world-a democracy OF
boys; how they set up at the outset OF
students career a mistaken ideal, an
unworthy aim. and how they divide
students along unnatural lines. Over
and over again Princeton sees group
Of congenial fellows of the incoming
freshman class gravitate toward each
other In the first few weeks Of the
term and then, in obedience to some
sudden, mysterious influence from
Prospect avenue, dissolve The spirit
Of the place does not allow men tt
form friendly and natural associations
in accordance with their tastes and
dispositions. 8 n
They must always strive untiringll
to become friends of those particular
classmates who have the best chance
OF making the best clubs, and al
''the hunch'' passes down the line
| from Prospect avenue the prospects Of
one and another student wax and
wane. and the character Of the 90
b terlea In which he finds himaelf 2oel