IT is a little delicate for us to question the fairness and validity of the umpiring of Saturday's game. But, viewing the matter broadly and dispassionately, we must claim that Mr. Coffin's umpiring was far from satisfactory, and we have less hesitation in saying this inasmuch as the same opinion is held by many others not connected with Harvard and prominent in athletics. It is not for us to impeach the integrity of Mr. Coffin; we cannot prove that his umpiring was intentionally unfair, nor can we prove that, in the case of the touchdown by Hallowell he gave a decision which he knew was wrong. It may have been with a most just purpose and the honest belief that there was interference that he gave his decision; but so evident was the fact that there was no interference and so universal has that been the opinion held by most of the spectators ever since, that Mr. Coffin has opened himself to the darkest suspicions. Mr. Coffin's umpiring indicates that he was not perfectly just and honest in all parts of the game. Whether he was so intentionally or not he only knows.

It is evident, at least, that the umpiring had much influence in leading Yale into a character of play which, had there been a stricter umpire, she would not have been allowed to practise. As the game progressed, apparently growing convinced that the umpire was inclined to her side, Yale, unmolested by him, fell more and more into a character of play which we trusted had vanished for good in athletic contests between us and which seems to indicate a lamentable fall in the standard of her athletic playing. Mr. Coffin was far from being strict enough. The rules themselves, perhaps, are not sufficiently strict in their penalties, but they should be so constituted that when an umpire does not enforce them he should be made to do so.

We repeat: we cannot impeach Mr. Coffin's integrity nor his honesty. Whether we would have won had we been allowed the touchdown which was so unquestionably ours, whether our team was, after all, outplayed by Yale is another question. But, again, viewing the game calmly and dispassionately, it is certain that Mr. Coffin's umpiring had an effect on Yale's playing which is deeply to be regretted; and it is equally certain that his umpiring showed a lack of fairness and justice which, from all sides, is much more to be regretted. He only knows whether or not it was intentional.