1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

452 THE SCROLL.the petitions from local fraternities in the same institutionwhich were rejected" by the last convention. Referring toIllinois, Mr. Mounette says "no petition has ever been presented,"but "the executive committee has already, in anticipationof the presentation of such petition, unanimouslyordered its submission to the chapters for a vote." TheMississippi chapter says that "adverse circumstances" havebeen "the lot of this chapter." It is "particularly anxious tosee the fraternity enter Texas." Mr. Monnette acknowledgesthe "weakness" of ^ K * in the south, and says: "To thethoughtful student of the situation, no further conclusion cancome but that, to put forth the strongest influence in thisquarter, there must be some work devoted to this region."Referring particularly to Texas, he writes frankly:Of course all are familiar with the defeat of the one proposition whichhas been pending before the fraternity in various forms since 1892. Rejectedat that time by one negative vote, it has apparently lost rather than gained,as the opposition is now represented by two chapters. In many particularsno petition to the fraternity has been presented in years which offered moresatisfactory inducements than the one in question from the south. Noreasonable argument has been presented against it. It has commandedenthusiastic support from its inception. Again, the necessity of extension inthis quarter is so apparent that it seems the greatest folly to be so inconsiderateof the welfare of the fraternity as to reject this petition. If it were tobe an experiment, some excuse for opposition might exist. But with a strongchapter with which to start, and which has already maintained a prosperousexistence for several years as an independent organization, it is beyond comprehensionthat the wisdom of granting should bs questioned.Perhaps no defeat of an extension movement has caused the universal regretwhich has been the effect in the present case. It has been a dissapointingand discouraging situation. It offers so much room for uneasiness overthe suggestion of arbitrary action, which comes unbidden, that a fear forresults is present. If the reasons for this movement are not well founded,it is doubtful if any sufficiently strong can be presented. Therefore, it practicallymeans no further extension at all. It is a hard blow to true growthand progress. The dry rot may just as well be welcomed, for in such case itis already here•A rumor which persistently arises and will not down is current as to thepolicy of one chapter. It goes beyond any conservatism. It advocates nomore extension. It goes still further, if the report may be believed, to aplan of eliminating and reducing the factors of the fraternity until somethinglike sixteen chapters in number shall be left, which is considered to bethe quintessence of perfect conditions. If this latter be true, it is a propositioninspired by selfishness, arrogance and unfraternal considerations.By vote of the convention, Sr,ooo has been paid to Mr. C.L. VanCleve, for his services as author of the history of * K*, reviewed in the February SCROLL. Mr. G. M. Walker hasbeen elected editor of the history, a new edition of whichmay be published in 1910 but possibly not until 1925. He