Page 42 - TheGoldBug1954-55

K ILe;ters To The Editor: Beer And Its Evils I 'Grim' Fairy Tale: E E Students Express Their Thoughts On Abstinence 'c The Story Of The P P To the Editor of the GOLD BUG: ferent, more understandable explanation. Pos- Gol-dern Apples sibly it is merely the case which finds an ad- I 0 vTe~:y a~~u~e t~:r7~~~~i~~c:ir:::t;~~it~~:~~~ ministration unable to recognize thatc its stu- By Grimm (of cour8e) N S party Frankly, we are both glad and pleased that ~;n!h~~~~n~~:i:::l:h;:b:~:: :!:::io~f a~;t:~!~: Ist, so poor that his orchards consisted of o~ly Once upon a time there lived a poor orchard- question 1 oritarian methods. Or possibly it is the case so G T ~~~;ll~~~i~e~;:~~~rt;i:~efh::i~~~ ~nt~eWeedi:; characteristic of organizations such as the ten sma.1l apple trees. But he was a .good, kind :;:;/~! E of the GOLD BUG. about one :~:;~o~~s~o ~::~~~t;!ntT::~;r:en~e~d i~et ~i~~~~>~ ~~c~.;r!;;ieHt~;e::e;~~~:e:~:o:I~~;~ of but rather. a burning desire to reform the whole But we are somewhat-concerned t',onttlbute a~ple blossoms to the poor-br-ides D particular point: the president should have ex- of mankind. And if it is none of these, if it is re commumty. erctsed his rights and duties by going a few merely a sincere and earnest conviction on the One day e: poor, old lady ~nocked atthe ?oor steps further in his imposition of limitations. part of a conscientious facuity, is it approached of the poor orchardist's quonset hut and asked He sbould add more restrictions, in order to in the true spirit of individual freedom for for ~o~~thing to eat. The poor orchardist had A Time For Thought place more discipline on the men students here. which education traditionally stands? \ nothing m the hut, but the poor, old Jady looked The a:ticle about. "Mid-Victoriarrism" on. But let us focus our attention upon the na- so tired and hungry that he said: "I am just a "These are the timps that try men's souls", page four of the last Issue of the GOLD BUG 'poor orchardist, and there is nothing in my hut wrote Thomas Paine during the Revolutionary has given us an idea or two. Instead of the via- !~I';h~!et:~s~u~~l~t;:s~fI~!.:~~~:it~~n~~~: t:e:::~;' to eat, butI do have a few apples on my trees. War. lent reaction ~n the part of the students, which attended one. So it is likewise questionable that ;~o~~~ ::~ !~S!u~ta~~wp~U~~r:h~~o;:r t::u~~di- A modified restatement of this theme might be appropriate on our campus with the present ~ra~~;:Il~ a:V~d~~~Pi;y~'~;~~op:~:e~t n:~ si~~ ::::n~~:n~u~~;o:;~::!~~n:~e ~:c:~~ed b~~~in~: So the poor orchardist went out and plucked issue of drinking and discipline in the spotlight gan: DON'T REVOLT-REVERT! Back to ing problem" does not emanate from them. Nor all of the apples on his trees. He brought them these days. the calm, placid, ordered, carefree days of Mid- does the destruction of dormitory property. Nor back and gave them all to the poor, old lady. These an) .(he times which try men's ca.pacity Victorianism. Our lives, thoughts, and actions does the disturbance which has reputedly" oc- Suddenly there was a great flash of light! The tf! think. ~::::dth:~m~O ~:d~~ :~~e control, whether we ~:~:n:~u~~~. c;:!~ai~~n;: :;:~h~a~::~ o~n! ~tOoo:d:Idb::~~f:l~s~~~:a:e;irtn~u~nni:;r tt~~: When a problem like the present one is sud. dcnly thrust upon a campus community, the List Of Suggestions small minority who habitually drink at places poor orchardist, she threw her arms about his first reaction of most of the students is to look other than the fraternity parties and who ea- neck. for We hereby submit a list of suggestions at it on the surface and base all opinions on administrative consideration. We sincerely and vort about in their drunken way not in a spirit "Oh, thank YOUIsir!" she clied. "You have this superficial view. of malicious vengeance, but in the Irresponsible freed me from a cruel spell cast upon me by a fervently hope that these suggestions will be Wouldn't a wiser course be to thoughtfully put into effect, so that men, as well as women; spirit characteristic of intoxication. It would wicked college professor! Now I muef do some- consider all aspects of the issue first? will be more disciplined: he foolish to support this manner of conduct. thing for you. If you might have just one wish In regand to the idea of discipline for the 1. A letter should be posted to the home of Indeed, stringent discipline is in order. But not granted, what would you wish for? men, for instance, the thinking student will ask each student, warning parents to beware of at the expense of the innocent ('and surprising- Millions Of Apples himself a few pertinent questions before decid- clandestine consumption of alcoholic beverages. ly temperate) majority. Without a moment's hesitation, the poor or- ing he is for or against such a possibility. 2. The cigarette machine should be removed Futility Of Argument chardist replied, "I wish that my apples would (1) Is there any connection between the fact from the grille, and students should not be per- multiply by millions." that more men than women flunk out of mitted to smoke. Smoking is evil, and tobacco However, we may be confident that these "It shall be as you wish," the beautiful young Western Maryland year after year and the fact is the weed of the Devil. words and the thousands of other words written girl replied, and then she disappeared as sud- that the women have;' certain amount of !)In- and spoken in support of this argument will go denly as she had appeared. Frightened, the trol exercised over them where there is vir- 3. At dances, all couples should be required unheeded. We will be told that the college can- poor orchardist ran to the door of his quonset tually none among the men? to keep an interval of one foot (i. e.: 12 in.) not honestly live ,up to its precepts so long as its hut. He could hardly believe his eyes! There be- the organizations openly between them. recognized support (2) Is there any correlation between the Jack fore him were millions of apple trees, .their 4. Students should not be allowed to have of discipline and the rowdiness and destruction cars on campus. It is well-known that the auto- drinking of alcoholic beverages. And so there branches heavy with shiny, red apples. The will be no more fraternity parties. Certainly the which is more prominent in the mcn's dormi- mobile is a bad influence on the youth of Ameri_ fraternities cannot afford to ihvest heavily in poor orchardist ran into the town and gathered tories than in the women's? I ca. T'he parking lots could then be used by Sem- food and drink and stand heavy losses month up all the poor little boys who were always (3) Will a certain amount of discipline bene- ir.ary students, and by high-school students who after month, for in spite of common belief, fra- stealing his apples. fit or harm the majority of the men?· come to Gill Gym for games. ternities seldom make a profit on parties which "Come and help me pick my apples," he cried, (4) Is discipline an actual infringement on an 5. All dormitories should be closed at 7 p. m.~- they spo}1sor. What effect the resultant void "and I will give you all you can use." The poor individual's liberties and right? This includes men's donns, as wcll as women's. will have on campus activities is hard to pre- little boys followed the poor orchardist (who These are some of the questions \vhich Lack of discipline is what is wrong with the -dict. But! it will be one less diversion in an ex- really wasn't poor any longer), and they picked should concern each thinking student before he men here. tremely narrow social program, and when it be- apples for the rest of the day, until the poor takes a definite stand on the issue. comes apparent that individuals will drink come orchardist's lawn was covered with baskets and Now is the time for thought-serious 6. a. Fraternity and sorority rooms should hell or high water, the wisdom of this momen- baskets of shiny, red apples. But for every thought. only be opened for two hours each afternoon tous decision may indeed become questionable. apple the little boys picked, two more apples (except Sunday, when they should be closed all sprang out on the branches. as to suppose Why must we be so unrealistic This went on for several weeks, and the poor Nice Work, George day, of course). and sororties should send that ends are successfully gained by arbitrary orchardist was very happy, for all the mer- b. Fraternities George Gipe's Granny K1Wt was warml)( re- b{ds to all students, so that everyone can belong, prohibitions? Where is toe justification in chants1for miles around came to buy his apples. ceived by the audience viewing the Junior Plays and so that no one will be left out. creating this unwarranted friction between the Then, one day, no merchants came. The next Friday night. 7. Only twin beds should be permitted in Vet- fraternities and the college, which l tht:eatens to dlty still no merchants came, and the next and The author was given an outstanding ovation ville. endanger a spirit of cooperation that has prov- the next. T-he poor' orchardist climbed into his and we couldn't help but feel that everyone in After all, what are fraternity parties? Only ed singularly unique? How foolhardy it seems solid gold Cadillac convertible and drove off to the audience who knew George was justifiably a .right. And students here do not need any when, in the light of objectivity, one realizes town. He parked in front of the store of the with its fellow institutions that in comparison proud of him. rights. In fact, we'd rat\ler not have any. Western Maryland is a paragon of abstinence. First Merchant. The First Merchant vias stand- There's little to say here. The play speaks for Gus LAMAR, '55 i.ng in front of his store. itself. CRAIGSCHMALL, '55 Possibly if all of us here were aware of the "\Vhy haven't you come to buy my apples?" We hope that Friday night was not only the BARRYWINKELMAN, '55 Bacchanalian orgies staged on other college the poor orchardist asked him. opening night of his play but the opening night campuses, church-affiliated included, we might "I will show you why," the First Merchant of a long and successful career for Mr. Gipe. understand more fully just how high the stand- replied. And he led the' poor orchardist into his The Frat Viewpoint ards of conduct here actually are. - store. There were piles and piles of shiny, red To the Editor of the GOLD BUG: WILLIAM F. MUHLENFELD, '57 apples. "I have sold thousands of your apples." the First Merchant shrieked, "but for each A Reader Complains The recent edict from President Ensor con- Dissenting View one I sell, two more appear. There is no room cerning the presence of beer at fraternity parties in my store for anything else. Your apples are Regrettably, perhaps, it is the policy of seems to be a sigularly regrettable avenue of ap- To the Editor of the GOLD BUG: driving me out of business. Please, please go this paper to print only correspondence proach to a problem for which the fraternities away, and t.ake your apples with you!" which is accompanied by a signature. So cannot conceivably be held responsible. To be After reading the editorial in the last issue of for this reason we shall not print the com- sure, there can be no doubt that the president the paper, I was rather set back wpen I saw Billions Of Apples munication of one poverty-stricken, but has received compla~ts from the several some of the proposals suggested. I do not think At the stores of the Second, Third, and cultivated, reader who complains that our sources who irrevocabJY oppose the use of al- they would remedy the situation as you believe, Fourth Merchants, the poor orchardist heard' newsprint is of such texture as to subject cl'hol by college people. Similarly, there can be but seemed to me to be pouring gasoline on a the same story. At last he gave up and sadly him to considerable discomfort. For the no doubt that the president was entirely within smoldering fire in an attempt to put it out or returned home. He had to park a block away benefit of those who also may entertain his bounds when he proclaimed an end to beer prevent it from spreading. from his house, because the driveway was piled such problems, we are chargrined to report (and its attendant evils, whatever they may be)' Many students blame everything on the ad- high with apples. Millions of apples, and no that ink will ;;-ottake on paper of less sub- at fraternity parties. But to date, only the ad- ministration. I feel it is not the administration, one to buy them! What could he do? As he stantial quality. Further, glossy sleek ministrative point of view has been presented. but tbe lack of administration that is our stood gazing sadly at his apples, he suddenly would also be of searching concern, as it is There is indeed a strong case for the fraterni- problem. Not only from the Board of Trustees, could stand it no longer. "Why has this curse given to- cracking and buckling under pres- ties, who seem to be a convenient scapegoat for the President and faculty, but lack of admin- been pl~ced upon me?" he screamed. sure. So there is little we can do. all manner of scandalous activities from time istration within the student body itself. If There was a blinding flash of light, and once to time. . some of the people concerned would realize the more the beautiful, young girl appeared before First of all, it is instructive to point out that situation as it is and not take a one sided point him. "Are you not happy with your wish?" she the fraternities organize and operate the vast of view, tempers would not be so high. Many asked. . every feeling that THE GOLD BUG majority of social activities on I the build floats take too much for granted, their freedom. If they can I be happy with millions of apples which campus. shrieked. "How the poor orchardist "Happy?" policy made is limiting They sponsor dances and parties, OfIiei ..l student.. neWIIP..per of Western M.ryland Col_ for parades, sell refreshments at athletic would look at it from the point of view of those no one will buy. I'll have to hock my solid gold lell'e, published aemi_ttumth!y On Tuesday, during Oetobt!r, events, participate in an extensive sports pro- who make the policy and could see the overall November January, Febru ..ry, M..rch ..nd April, ..nd Cadillac convertible to buy a loaf of bread for monthly dnrinll' Septembt!r. December, and May. Entered gram, support any and all charitable interests, picture, I do not think there would be much dinner. As beautiful as you are, I wish I had "" second "' .... matter at Westmln.ter POlit Ollice, under griping. the Act of Mar~h S, 1879. undertake numerous campus improvement pro- never seen your face." Member jects, and yet are entirely self-sufficient. They There seems to be a great emphasis on in- "Do not be unhappy, orchardist," the beauti- Associated Collegiate Press ask of the college nothing except the use of one dividualism. Not only as far as one person, but ful, young girl said. "I have found a million- room (which is furnished and maintained at also in individual groups. The fact is that we aire who will buy your apples. He was so en- Subscription Price $2.00 a Year the expense of each club.) If it would seem to sometimes become so individualistic that we tranced by my charms that he promised to buy the uninitiated that some measure of gratitude often step on those who try to help us. In- as many apples as you can sell him." EDITORIAL STAFF Editor_in_Chief ~-------'--- Kay Mehl, 56 might be due her,e, let them consider the ironic dividualism is a great asset as long as one con- The orchardist was overjoyed! But this mil- MsnQll'ing EditlJr ....., . .__. L"" Werner, '56 News Editors .__ ._. ..__.. Nancy Willi., '58 and paradoxical situations which prevail on the siders others, but when one sees only his own lionaire-he asked, "what will he do with so college campus today. goal and satisfaction of bis own wants, it many apples?" Feature Editor ~ Violet Fonner. ,:~:,' Second, Jet us examine the condition which ceases to be an asset. It then becomes a liability "Oh, that's simple," the beautiful, young girl ~~:.:" F~:~::':.;Edii.,;:s-=-_==::::::.::.~ __=_- -- " finds a governing body assuming (with some for the community as a whole. Democracy is replied. "He has given an endowment of apples ¥;~~ni~.:::::::=_-=--------------_ :n success) to control the private lives and person- built on the principle of freedom of the in- to his old Alma Mater-Western Maryland COpy Editor. .:...__ . ._N.ncy Bank .. '5~ al habits of its subjects. This queer notion dividual one may say, but one must realize College." Execut.ive A"si"txnt .._Jean Kulhman. '58 Photoguphy ._. Mrs. E••om 'might originate from the theory that education that in a democratic community an adminis- And that, dear students of WMC, is why we BUSINESS STAFF is a plastic, flexible process which must encom- trative group is needed to see that the freedoms are served apple juice, apple salad, and apple ~~~.i.::.ti:in:n~~~~~;~:==:=~.:.___==-_:.:..._=_~::~ ~~l!~::~~ pass moral, religious, and ethical standards to of the group are not jeopardized b;y a few. sauce all in the same meal. Circulatlon . ... Ron Wilson. '57 E.)[ChAn{:e Lynnd .. Skinner, '57 be effective, but more than likely there is a dif- LOUIS MANARIN, '55. I PATRICIA M. RICHTER