Letter from George Goddard, 27 December 1897
To the "First Presidency"
W. Woodruff, Geo Q. Cannon & Joseph F. Smith
Dear Brethren /
As an Elder in Israel, will you kindly permit me, the
privilege of laying before you, practices, now being indulged in by students
of our Colleges and Universities, (viz College Yells, and Foot ball games) both
of which to say the least, are damaging to the respectability of such institutions,
and very destructive in their tendency, of Life, Limb, and the High Religious
tone, that should always characterize every latter day saint school of learning.
A few days ago, as I was coming from the High Priests Meeting, I was much
humiliated, (as a member of the Church) by the emblazioned announcement, in
Main St, carried by boys, of a Foot ball game contest, between the Latter day saint
College students, and those of some other institution. But thanks to the
unanimous vote, and stand, taken by the members of the stake board of
education, who resolved that, that game should not come off, although
advertized; and it did not; I sincerely hope, that such an unmista^ca^ble
impression was made, not only on the Presiding Authority of the College,
but the students themselves, that will for ever prevent its resurrection.
On my way to Lehi yesterday, my attention was directed to the large
head lines, in the "Tribune." Was a slugging match, Ended in a row.
