Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-10
DEMOCRACY FIGHTS
PRINCETON SN0BS
Grover Cleveland's Son
Leads Notable Crusade
Against Club System
PROSPECT OF SUCCESS
BY M'LISS

PRINCETON, \. j., Jan 1O-A fine,
outstanding boy. the son of n great Demo-
crat who believed in facing conditions, not
theories has "bucked' the social system
of Princeton where the fight between snob-
biehness and democracy is ever brewing,
and as result of his bravery and that of
four of his associates the seventeen clubs,
almost as strongly intrenChed as the col
lege itself, may have to go.
The eve Of the entire faculty, indeed the
ave of every one interested In the democratic
fation of Americas big educational nstitu-
tlons is turned toward Richard Cleveland
md his sophomore classmates, all of whom
possess every qualification for membership
10 the most exclusive clubs. but who. on
tbe eve of their possible election have eN-
nressed not only their determination not
10 be a party to the evil OF the club system
with all the boot-icking and snohbery and
heartache-for some-that if entails but to
urge. instead the organization of great,
common democratic university hall to which
every Princeton man shall be eligible.
SUCCESS FOREsEEN
And It is expected that this young. prac-
tical idealist and his democratic faction willie
s,itceed where woodrow Wilson went down
TO defeat when, as president of the univer-
sity. he led II memorable fight against the
clubs in his effort to establish the English
quadrangle system.
"Wilson tried to force a reform from
told me His methods were hiEhhanded
and dctatorala He saw the evils toward
which the clubs were tending and that the
democracy of the entire college was being
undermined by them. buFhe did not see that
such a reform to be successful must come
from the inside--from the students them
selves. cleveland and his associates have
started right"
You cannot have clubs without club mem
bers. II is the idea of the five boys, Clevc-
land y. X. II. Bruce, S. Lloyd, Ir.. j. s.
SchmalZ and ii. H. Strater. who compose
a committee representing the tiny majority
which has decided to ignore the clubs and
foster the formation of one big club 10
work slowly. As sure as human nature is
human, they will gather around them those
choice spirits who are willing to forego
few personal privileges and luXurcs for the
greatest good of the greatest number. The
present club system is the result of a SLOW
evil growth. II will take time to kill it,
but it is confidently expected that public
opinion at the college ultimately will up
root IT,
Fifteen per cent of the upperclassmen
have not been chosen for any clubs. These
men are outcasts. They must eat out in
the town, since the clubs are the eating
places for the juniors and seniors, no dining
room having been provided for them by
the university,
But although primarily eating places II
Is only necessary to walk down Prospect
avenue, to see the palatial mansions lining
II on either side, wonderfully equipped
clubs, with their liveried attendants and
+ general air of opulence, to understand the
Dig the engrossing part of the social life
OF the university they have absorbed. In
deed, the clubs constitute the social life
TO be cut on from a club is to he cut off
from all social intercourse for two years
IL is TO be eliminated from all the festivi-
Ties and funmaking the memories of which
man so cherishes in after years
IS tor the fifteen per cent at Prince
ION who are 30 cut off that Cleveland and
ms pals are making their stand.
In a statement that probably will become
history IN the college annals these five boys
nave admirably expressed the existing con-
ultlons at the university due to the club
system.
In small college. such as Princeton"
they declare, "cut off from the outside
world, conditions are most favorable for
democracy; but the clubs by setting up
false standards, oppose this democracy
''BOOTLICKING" EVIL
Making club is usually considered the
most important event in college life. Not
10 make club constitutes failure and
mans success is measured by the prestige
OF the club to which he Is elected. In order
70 achieve this success, man must repress
MS individuality enough to conform to the
determine
This evaluatlon of sophomores by
groups OF upperclassmen is all tho more
inaccurate because the club system raises
an artificial barrier between the upper and
lower classes. 'Bootlicklng' and the fear
Of being suspected of bootlicking' prevent
friendship with upper classmen.
me original purpose of the clubs in
Frheeton was to furnish suitable eating
places for the upper classes, not to provide
!er social enjoyment. With the erection of
Ihe new dining halls. and the consequent
provision for upper classmen the only valid
.sason Tor the continued existence and
maintenance of the clubs disappears.
- me University Hall would not be along
he lines OF those at Pennsylvania and
harvard which compete with existing fra
Wllitles and clubs, but would be a real
senter OF undergraduate life 1t would in
uas ct an eating place for seniors, an la
sarte dining room, a music room bowling
sieys' billiard rooms, lounging rooms and
:" the material comforts of the present
@ oluos There would be rooms for the ac-
sJhiiiIlodation of alumni. parents and guests,
%SnSh % would be inexpensive. This would
sons Se parents parents who cannot now visit their
s'Hs frequently to do So"
Z suratively speaking the faculty, accord
ne 70 thelr spokesman, who asked that
.h ts name be not used, are in high glee al
t9psh they are taking no sides in the mat
~ az this move of Cleveland's, which they
ssin.a iu as the most significant the most
il'ary thing that could have happened
4" american college life today
=. sNeiand is one of the most popular men
p,e he university. Possessed of money,
ole pe traditions and charming, forceful
- sohallty all avenues have been opened
h l' But those who know him declare
M animated by a feeling of democracy
- social justice, which makes dstasteful
esn nllA Iayors that others less fortunate
cannot enjoy
s ms roommate, according to the faculty
-,s,lsssLnan, is boy who came to Princeton
tut a penny In his pockets not meta
ly but literally speaking. He Is
eees VINO had to wash windows and do
nenial chores Ia order to win his way,
aess as It may seem, this student is