University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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CORiS AND CURLS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR of examinations which college faculties carried on at that time. In an eEort to do away with this at the University of Virginia, he submitted a resolution to the faculty that a pledge be signed by each student on his examination paper to the effect that he had received no assistance, and that all tutorial espionage be abolished. This was the beginning of the present Honor System and, although for a number of years, the pledge was still directed to the faculty and was under its administration, the matter was soon recognized as a right and possession of the student body who came to guard it jealously from any attempt at faculty or any other supervision. The social life of the students had already, by 1844, taken on many of the aspects which it shows to-day. We find a commentator in the magazine bemoaning the fact that the students were divided into small cliches and that they had become unsociable except in their own sets. He divided all of the students into four categories which could, interestingly enough, he applied with success to-day. They were: The swells, the sheepskins twe call them grinds to-dayi, the men of leisure who talk osten- tatiously of experiences in Europe and . . . complain that the local beauties fall short of what they have recently seen . . . , and the good-for-nothing man, who thinks himself a wit but is really a bore . . . a mannerless man. One of the first purely social organizations was formed in this same year under the name of the Calathumpian band. The membership of this organization was composed, apparently, of the more lawless element and in the next year, the riot fever which had died down after Professor Davis' murder was revived by them. The up- rising started with an attack on the home of the chairman of the faculty and spread from there, starting a week-long ruction. Again, the authorities were forced to call for civil aid. When calm was finally effected, 126 students out of the 194 registered, withdrew from the University and we can suppose that all 126 had been implicated in the riot. The effect of this, coupled with the earlier murder of a professor, had a bad etiect on the impressions of the public concerning the University, and registration fell 03 considerably in the ensuing years. Nevertheless, riots continued. A circus riot in 1846, a political riot the next year, a pitched battle between the Charlottesville police and the students in 1850, and numerous other smaller uprisings, marked gala days for the students of those times. So great was the fear of the people of Charlottes- ville that they stationed a bugler at the top of Vinegar Hill and instructed him to blow a warning blast if he saw a large body of students approaching. As late as 1859, the students were required to pledge themselves unarmed with either pistol or dirk. The last of the riots took place, as many of the older students can remember, in 1929 as a consequence of alleged unfair prices at the local movies. Virginia gentlemen have, from I171

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e13 CORKS AND FCUriS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR worried a great deal concerning the amount of gambling and drinking which they suspected was going on in the student body. In fact, the odor of mint in a students room or on his person was takeni as evidence that he had been imbibing. Professorial wrath was also drawn down on the heads of students who indulged in marbles and who made a terrific noise with their arguments, presumably about knuckling over or hunching. More serious, perhaps, was the prevalence of duelling among the students. A case is cited of one young man who was found carrying a large knife and who explained it by stating that it was carried in the event that someone might insult him and refuse to give him satisfaction. The faculty was extremely w atchful, and the mere w hisper of a duel was usually follow ed by instant dismissal. More harmless diversions were those found 1n the exercise classes which engaged in boxing, fencing, and singlestick. This early enthusiasm for boxing, by the way, might have been a harbinger of the joyous events which take place in our present winters. Various literary societies were also formed, the first of which was named for Patrick Henry and was founded in 1825. Soon afterward, a schism occurred and half of the members established. a new organization called the Jefferson Society. The latter society has, save for the war years in the 60's, functioned continuously. These societies enjoyed considerable popularity and importance in the activities of the school. Their debates and elections were occasions for great excitement and representatives from each were allowed to give speeches at various University celebrations. The faculty, however, with its fear of student criticism and administrative thought, promptly put an end to this custom. In 1836, the first Greek Letter social fraternity was formed in Gamma Pi Delta, and the popularity of debating among the student is shown by the fact that even this organization attempted to gain a place on the programs for its own representative. Dances were also a form of student diversions and were frequently given by groups of students. Literary lights in the student body brought out plans for a college magazine as early as 1831. Despite repeated discouraging comments from the worried faculty, a magazine was started late in that year under the name, The Chameleon. This survived until I838, when a new one named The Collegian was started to take its place. It was in 18.1.2 that an event took place which was to change the entire course of the University and to give it the finest and most distinguishing of its features. Judge Henry St. George Tucker, of the law faculty, who, with his kinsman, George Tucker, had been instrumental in removing the early-rising regulations and had been among those who were largely responsible for the repeal of the rule requiring students to wear a University uniform, became disgusted with the rigid surveillance E161

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COR? 8 AND C1135 OF NINETEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR the opening of the University, shown themselves to be uncommonly fond of a good, refreshing riot. An attempt, possibly, to keep the students quieted down was made by some of the members of the faculty in 1842 when they formed a Temperance Society. There was, as might have been expected, considerable opposition from many of the students and, exhilaratingly enough, from members of the faculty as well. Some success was made, however, and a Temperance Hall was erected where the Corner now stands. It is probably safe to say it never received the patronage which the Corner receives to-day. At any rate, demon rum seems to have triumphed in 18 56, for at that time, the Tem- perance Society disappeared. Sports continued to be limited to gymnasium work and fencing and boxing until 1859, when a short-lived Cricket Club was organized. This development of an organized sport was probably due in some measure to the increased enrollment, which had passed the five hundred mark. Nevertheless, commentators were already be- moaning student lethargy and indiEerencc to all forms of extra-curricular endeavor, much as they have done ever since. Interest in diversions seems to have turned by 1845 from debating and crating to the more social phases of entertainment. The Jefferson Society took on the features of a social club and began to give dances. Another club made its appearance at that time and gave prizes each year to the homeliest, prettiest and vainest students. It was not long, however, before the frivolous spirit gave way to an intense interest in political affairs. Before Lincoln's election, the general opinion at the University seems to have favored maintenance of the Union at all costs, but immediately after his victory, a general swing to the secessionists was noted and two student com- panies were formed. In F ebruary of 1861, two students procured a Confederate flag and hoisted it over the Rotunda. Although they were forced to take it down, there was much excitement shown among the students. When President Lincoln called for volunteers to coerce the seceding states, the enthusiasm of the students rose to fever heat and they departed in droves to offer their services to the newly born Confederacy. The student companies were awarded a weeks leave of absence to go to Harper's Ferry with the Charlottesville troops, but the expedition proving uneventful, the students were disbanded on their return and sent home to act as oHicers for their respective states. It is neither easy nor stylish in these days of pacifism to understand the spirit which sent the young Virginia gentlemen into battle. They, however, were not confined and bound in with realistic novels, Laurence Stallings' photographs, or conscientious- objector philosophies. Duty and obligation combined with the prospect of adventure I131