THE FACULTY'S POSITION.

A correspondent of the Spirit of the Times writes to that paper the following exposition of the faculty's position which he gleaned from one of its members. Speaking first of the necessity of some action and the failure of the first attempt he continues: "The best thing to be done, therefore was to collect as many colleges as possible and see what could be done. The conference was called, and, after much debate, the resolutions were adopted. The method of consideration was of attack, and apparently every contingency was provided for. The definition of professional was tacitly understood not to be the common one, but a graded distinction of ordinary professionals by which those who teach for a living are not excluded, but it reaches those who give public exhibitions, or exercise tendencies which would have a bad effect. The principle involved seemed to be clear to all, and it is perhaps better that such should be the case than that a set form of words should be adopted. Of course several concessions had to be made, and among them was one of the points which was especially hard to Harvard, namely, the prohibition against playing with other than college associations. The Harvard delegate saw its disadvantage, but there was apparently no way to obviate it, as the very facilities which Harvard enjoyed, as for instance, its proximity to good, unobjectionable base-ball competitors had driven other colleges, in their endeavor to get even, to engage with the most pernicious form of professionalism, caused by their inability to find amateurs with whom to contend. Where there were so many interested it was impossible to make exceptions, and, consequently Harvard would ask for no special exception to permit of contests with Yale, especially as the latter had refused to enter the conference.

Regarding the three-mile rule, it may be said that for heavy men-say 175 lbs.,-the four-mile course may be less injurious than a quick stroke three miles, but for the average man of 150 lbs. the quick stroke and shorter race would be the better. In fact, this has been acknowledged by the college press when they advocate the class competitions of two miles. By the way, practically everything adopted has been favored by the students in their papers. Regarding the men engaging professional trainer outside of those authorized by the college, it may be said that if the athletic committee discovered the fact, it will be reported to the general advisory board of the conference, and the team will not be allowed to play. We do not care to interfere with individual rights, but shall take official cognizance of association's actions. In the general routine there will be but little difference from the present. The inter-collegiate associations will still meet and adopt rules, but the same must be presented to the faculties before they can be played under. When a contest is to occur between two colleges, the advisory members of the faculty of each will see that everything has been done satisfactorily, and, in a case of disagreement, the whole intercollegiate advisory of conference board will be called upon to decide. Now, on the whole, while acknowledging it is a radical move, I am of the opinion that it will work to the advantage of all concerned, and challenge any legitimate criticism that views may be so ventilated as to work the best good."