The Athletic Situation in 1884.

This brings us back to the now all-absorbing subject. Without going any further into the arguments against the recent Faculty vote, we wish to compare our present situation, merely as a matter of interest, with one that the undergraduates faced in the spring of 1884. At that time the Faculty passed a vote, among other things, forbidding the employment of professionals to coach any Harvard teams. This action caused the greatest feeling at the time. We do not wish to take up the merits of the question nor compare it with the present situation. It is sufficient to say that the undergraduates were, as at present, unanimously opposed and that their opposition carried weight. This is attested by the following editorial, reprinted from the Herald-Crimson of Wednesday, March 5, 1884:

"Though at first the entire undergraduate body was greatly disturbed and excited by the resolutions of the intercollegiate conference, yet there was a strong impression that the Faculty would reconsider the step they had taken if the state of feeling among the students could be set before them in the proper light. Such measures were taken, therefore, as seemed best fitted to fully express the sentiments of the undergraduates in regard to the proposed changes. Upon learning the strong current of opinion against the new rules. The Faculty have voted to withdraw from the position they have taken.

"This result is what we felt justified in expecting, and we feel sure that this action on their part will go far toward restoring the harmony between Faculty and students which has of late years been such a gratification to all the friends of Harvard."