New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-13

dresses, with sashes of red flannel,
pinked on the edges, went through
series OF prim evolutions 10 the music
of "The Anvil Chorus" There was also
a group of croquet players in hoop
skirts and sunbonnets. The programme
was headed by a quotation from the
1855 catalogue of the college, which
said: at is settled, then. as an axiom
in the administration of the college
that the health of its students is not 70
be sacrificed TO any other object what
ever; and that. to the utmost possible
extent, those whom II educates shall
become physically well developed, Wig
orous and graceful women, with en-
lightened views and wholesome habits
In regard 70 taking care of their own
health and others under their charge"
Matthew Vassar's schedule OF gym
nastics, however wise for his time,
caused much laughter, as the graduates
remembered the ideals OF womanly ac-
tivity which had been held up to them
in the morning by Mrs. Putnam.
Would Make Girls Manly.
"If l had my way" she had said,
girls would be brought up 70 be man
W
hampering dress, itself a badge OF
physical incompetence; they would be
prsctised in dangerous sports where
life and limb depend on nervous con.
troll. Public opinion would require of
them the same standard Of physical
courage that II requires Of boys. They
would not be allowed to cry when they
are hurt. The schools would have
courses in not being afraid Of things.
They would learn the art of self-de-
fence and, in view of their special liza
bility to attack, would supplement 1T
with the open carriage of weapons
when circumstances rendered 1t ad-
visable.
at is my belief that the new habit
of mind begotten by such changes as
these would work farther than we can
easily imagine. have in mind young
girl who had to be pulled out OF an
Adirondack Lake at great risk 10 the
lives of two young men. Now, 90 not
say that she should have been allowed
to drown, as an example to people 20
teach their daughters to swim, but 40
say that il the young men had refused
TO risk their lives we could have found
reasons for pardoning them.
Would Let Women Go to War.
with the high heel | should like
20 see go the idea, which many women
seem TO hold who should know better,
that war, irrespective of the motive Tor
which il is waged, is a new form OF
self-indulgence that men have invented
for themselves and of which women
are the chief victims. SO far am l
from sympathy with these strange
views that, if it should ever become
necessary for the United states 10 go
TO war hope we shall see battslohs
of strong, disciplined, courageous young
women as ready and as mt as their
hrotbers 70 defend the right"
Miss Lillian d. Wald, of the Nurses
Settlement of New York, took up the
reference TO the women peace advo,,
Gates by declaring that she was proud
Ia he one of Jane Addams's followers.
Her address was a review OF the de-
velopment of woman's responsibilities,
from the home to the community.
lanes Monroe Taylor, president
emeritus of Vassar. spoke on "Nassar 5
Contribution to Educational Theory
and Practice" urging the graduates not
10 forget the high standards OF the
early days of the college
College Presidents Arrive.
The afternoon was devoted TO social
affairs. including a concert by the Rus
sian symphony Orchestra. Every
train brought new guests from othei
colleges, who are TO march IN the
academic procession tomorrow pre-
ceding the inauguration OF Presideht
MacCracken. This will be one OF the
most notable gatherings OF educators
ever seen in this country. Presidents
and professors from more than nun.
bred colleges in this country and
abroad will pay honor TO Nassar. Presi-
dent Hadley of Yale, President Burton
of Smith, Dean Bertha NJ. Body OF
Radcliffe, Professor George Lyman
Kittredge, of Harvard; John II. Finley,
Commissioner of Education; President
Pendleton of Wellesley and President
Woolley Of Mount Holyoke have all
arrived.
The presence Of so many men pro
fessors at Vassar is not without its
humorous aspects. For example,
gray-bearded professor steps over TO
the sweet young thing at the informa-
ton bureau and asks her il he ought
10 dress for dinner. Another announces
,ha. he won't be in until 80 o'clock
and wants to know how TO get in. She
does not know The emergency never
arose at Vassar before.
The suffrage meeting which was
elected from the campus took place in
front of the opera house this evening
before the performance Of "Vassar
Milestones." Mrs. lnez Milhollsnd
Boissevain, with an automobile full Of
her loyal classmates and her husband,
challenged the men of Poughkeepsie to
tell why they were opposed 10 woman
suffrage. You're too sauey' cried one
man from the crowd. and, with that as
a text Mrs. Boissevain concluded with
dissertation on democracy.
z
En1l Il1QC Al0nH