The recent enforcement of college discipline in the case of one of the best known and most respected men connected with Harvard athletics, is, whatever view may be taken as to its justice, an event very much to be regretted by all who have any interest in the welfare of the University. Before commenting on any inferences which may have been drawn from this action, we wish to attempt such a statement of the case as will do simple justice to all who are concerned.

A man eminently fitted, both by his knowledge of the game and by the respect in which he is held by his fellow students and the athletic authorities, is chosen captain of the football team. Regarding the responsibility thus placed upon him as a trust which demands his strongest and unremitting efforts, he devotes himself to his duty in a spirit which wins the admiration both of fellow members of the team and of the whole University. In the course of time he finds that his thought is so concentrated on the task which he has undertaken that he is unable to put his mind on anything else. Apparently with a full knowledge of possible consequences he chooses deliberately to continue in the same course and, as now appears, subjects himself to the college discipline.

There can be no questioning of the motive of such a course. It is as distinct a case of a personal sacrifice to a genuine sense of duty as there ever was. That it may be considered a mistaken sense of duty is a reflection neither upon Captain Brewer's character nor upon the condition of athletics, the demands of which can still be met, we believe, by men of the right temperament, without detriment to the more important claims of college work.

There are doubtless many here who, in their sympathy for Captain Brewer, are inclined to judge the action of the Administrative Board as being, if not absolutely unjust, at least lacking in that consideration which they think might be extended to the football players, and especially to the captain, at the beginning of the year. This they think might be done without implying any leniency in the subsequent estimate of the year's work. We doubt whether it is the policy of the authorities to show even such consideration as this, on the ground that no outside interests should be allowed to tax the students to the extent of preventing regular habits of work at any and all times of the year. But granting in this case that such consideration were allowed to carry weight, it is improbable that it could have changed the Board's action.

The loss of the active services of their captain, whether he would have been physically able to play or not, is a severe blow to the eleven at this time of the season. There is a greater need than ever that the whole University should back up the team and the coaches. The part Captain Brewer has had in the development of the eleven has been very large and is fully appreciated by all. It will be the best possible recognition of the services which he has given if a good victory is scored in the last game.