The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-04-27

Recent press reports would seem to
indicate that Governor Groesbeck has
made public objection to certain
regulations which have been in force
at the State Normal School at Ypsil-
anti, whereby a number of young
lady students, some affecting objec-
tionable modes of dress and others
said to be addicted to cigarette smok-
ing, have been suspended and sent
home. Now, in many of the things
| that the governor has championed in
an official way we have been frankly
admiring, but in this matter we see
cause to differ.
Any thinking observer knows that
personal habits exist, not, possibly,
reprehensible enough to be prohibited
by lew, but which are distinctly de-
moralizing and detrimental in thcir
influence upon society. To be sure,
these influences are not new and pos
sibly this age is just as moral as any
other, but the defense of such habits
on moral grounds is new and const-
tutes an attempt upon the part of
PHILOSOPHERS of the so-called "new
thought or opportunist school to
make us believe the fundamentals
upon which human character is build
ed can be abridged or ignored with
out corresponding detriment to the
individual and to society. As a mat
ter of fact these fundamentals are as
unchanging as the basic granite upon
which the superstructure of the world
rests, and the poet spoke with equal
truth and eloquence who wrote:
For we are the same that our
fathers have been,
We drink the same stream and
view the same sun
And run the same course that our
fathers have run"
With this truth in mind, running
back thru the pages cf history, would
we select as eXemplars of the finest
type of womanhood the bedizzened
danes or damsels who have left us
but the record of their vanities. Their
baneful influences, their devotion to
their own desires and the compensate
ing disaster that inevitably became
their portion, or would we select
Paula, the Christian heroine, Joar of
Arc, Florence Nightingale, Clara
Barton or Sarah Bush Lincoln. the
great foster-mother of the great
president, who left us something
more than voluminous description
of scanty clothing, voluptuous
charms and risky habits. On which
side of this important matter should
the influence of our schools be ex-
erted?
If the schools of today have not
the privilege Of imparting proper
ideals of character as well as book
learning, they must fall as short in
the advancement of civilization as
the Sahara falls short of being a
rose garden. If they have that pri-
vilege and society which pays the ex-
pense of their maintenance is entitled
to commensurate benefit, then Presi-
dent McKenny and the executive or
ganization Of his school are to be
commended and defended in taking
any and all necessary steps to con-
serve its moral tone and influence.
This is especially true in the case of
a normal school which is a cultural
center devoted particularly to the
training Of teachers, who are sent out
to exert tremendously important
influence on the character as well
as the scholastic attachments Of the
youth of the entire state-upon
whom. its future destiny must rest.
The day of prudish and puritanical
regulation anywhere is indeed past.
but the potency Of common sense AMI
good habits as applied to the building
Of human character is the same to-
day, tomorrow and forever.
Every candid and competent oh
server knows that influences subyer- |
slye OF proper moral understand |
ing of the part of boys and girls. and /
grown-ups, as well, were never more
and insidious than AT pres- |
ent. This condition is probably due
to q rapid and unparalleled growth Of
national wealth and consequent gen
eral indulgence in luxury more than
70 any other cause, but whatever
the cause, the condition exists and
needs combating.
with this idea i'm view. il seems nm
fortunate that the difficulties Of tho
situation should be further comnlica-
ted through public criticism of edu-
.ators like President McKennv. who
from practical and exneTiencad
viewpoint are endeavoring to do con.
'tructive work not only for the vonng
,eopie but for all of the people Of
m,ilcnlgan If any adjustment of the
discipline of the Ypsiianti State Nor
nal were required, il would annear
nghly desirable that the necesserv
regulations should have been con'
'ucted with as much privacy as pos