The position of the undergraduates in regard to conferring honorary degrees on the governor of Massachusetts has been, we think, clearly enough indicated heretofore. It may briefly be stated as follows: If the one holding the position of governor has done any thing which entitles him to the degree, the college will do itself honor, as well as the man, by conferring it. On the other hand, however, the college ought not to confer a degree on every one who happens to be governor of the state, simply because he is governor. As the authorities showed last year in the case of Governor Butler, the degree is bestowed on the man, not on the office, and this view was generally accepted as satisfactory at the time. This is what we believe to be popular sentiment here on this point now, and if the authorities act up to it, undergraduate sentiment will undoubtedly support them.
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Appleton Chapel.
