The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-01
Anent the Gainesville University


Matter.
Little has been said by the press
of Florida regarding the action of
some of the students in violating their
pledge to refrain from all forms of
hazing since the dispatch from Gaines
vile was sent out and was generally
published. The Sun, of that city, COM
mented upon the matter, but so far
as known by the Gazette, made no
denial of the occurrence. In the Suns
mention of the affair the following
was printed:
Every precaution is used by Pres
idcnt Murphree and his faculty to pre-
serve order, maintains discipline and
encourage fidelity TO duty. Amongst
other precautions used, every young
man upon entering the university is
required to sign a written pledge, and
that pledge contains clause like this:
"I hereby promise, upon my word
Of honor, without any mental reserva-
ton whatsoever, 10 refrain from all
forms of hazing while am connected
with the University of Florida"
That this solemn promise was for
gotten by a bevy of upper classmen
and that one night last week they
hazed a number of freshmen by clip
ping or shaving their heads was as
founding Ugly news about i imnle-
diately flew over the state Some
newspapers printed it. Others knowing
the good name of the university, did
not do so. That an immediate investi-
cation followed goes without saying.
hat
forty-five young men is most regret
table. In the interest OF discipline,
however, and for the good of the uni
versity this course was ;mperatively
demanded. No one regrets the neces-
sity for it more than DR.. Murphree ana
his board.
The young men thus indefinitely
suspended are not dishonorable boys.
In the exuberance of young manhood
they were impulsive and thoughtless.
But that they had flagrantIy violated
known rule which they had pledged
themselves TO obey remains an open
fact and the action taken by the uni
versity authorities is undeniably lust
Nearly every city in the state has
graduates from this university, and
breach of a solemn promise should
bring contumely upon an institution
Several residents of Kissimmce nave
been and are still proud of their alma
mater; and they have looked with a
spirit of distrust upon the fnfrnnati IN
which was sent out as press reuorts
They even doubted authenticity of the
accounts relative to the affair rhot
were published in almost the entire
press of the state-and the Culuc;.-
tlons themselves prefaced their edit1~-
ial utterances regarding the evil con-
dlelon by saying in nearly every in
stance: If the report be true
There is no doubt the institution
once more it is at normal will be the
better because of the infringement of
the rules and regulations. The out
come of the trouble will Undue everv
pupil there, and all who may come
later, with an intense desire to show
the state-and all the worId-that an
ii-condition can be overcome bv a
united effort upon the part of the
Jealous; and the chances are that
sworn obligations will never again he
regarded as mere Scraps of paper =
Every member of that educational in
stitution owes it not only to himself
but TO those who have the interests of
the university at heart because of
past associations, to make that col
lege shine doubly bright in all future
that its effulgence may be impress
| slveiy lustrous as the years roll on
hssimmee Valley Gazette.
A Naval Holiday.