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Caption: Book - History of the University (Nevins)
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128 YEARS OP DEPRESSION should get the upper hand. A cartoon in an undergraduate publication justly exhibited the government as a very creaky skeleton, its limbs moved by wires pulled from behind a partition. Another influence strengthening the opposition to it was the tendency of fraternity men to try to use its office to their group ends. Soon after Peabody's installation, finally, the Attorney General rendered a decision greatly limiting its powers of discipline. Peabody withstood ail attempts at a summary overthrow of the government, but he believed that it was worthless unless sustained by the earnest sentiment of a majority. As it became more and more impotent, its friends gave up hope, and in 1883 an election was held to decide the question of its continuance. The vote was 110 against it, and 70 for it, with 120 not voting; and the faculty promptly recalled into its hands all the authority delegated the government. The most interesting feature of student life under Peabody was the struggle against fraternities. Before his inauguration the chapter of Delta Tau Delta was dormant, though not so much so but that it could easily have been awakened. But early in 1881 a chapter of Sigma Chi was organized, numbering some of Jke bestknown students. These men always maintained that the Regent was consulted before the organization of the fraternity, and that he countenanced its formation; certainly the IUini and local papers gave prominent space to the chapter's first ball, and the members wore their badges. When college reopened in the fall initiatesjpre pledged, and the future seemed so bright that other, groups forwarded petitions to Beta Theta Pi and Phi Gamma Delta. But Peabody was meanwhile alarmed, and in September had placed the matter before the
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