“Here are eight hundred shining young souls, the cream of the nation’s manhood, on the broad road which leadeth to destruction.  God help us.  Assist us, Mrs. Nation; aid us; pray for us.  Let the world know of this awful condition and rouse the public indignation until it has ceased.  Publicity will do it.  Let the world know that Yale is being made a training school for Drunkards, and Capt.  Smoke will never dare to serve liquors again.  A lone but true friend of the temperance cause.”

I spoke to the students at the entrance of their dining hall.  They spoke up and told me that “Champagne” was served on their ham three times a week.  They gave me the menus, and on them were:  “Claret Wine Punch”, “Cherry Wine Sauce”, “Apple Dumpling and Brandy Sauce,” “Roast Ham and Champagne Sauce,” and “Wine jelly”.  While I was talking to the young men, many were smoking cigarettes in the entrance of the dining hall, which was contrary to rules, but Capt.  Smoke only laughed at this practice of vice.  There should be an investigation and that quick.  Students are crying for it.  Faculties should demand of students a high standard.  At Yale the students are pleading for a moral faculty.

I then went to the Y. M. C. A., and found on the first floor, billiard tables, cigars and cigarettes; they also have a “smoking room.”  A poor mother wrote to a friend of mine in New Heaven to please use her influence to save the boys.  That her boy wrote her that the brandy was so strong on the food that it made his head dizzy.  One poor boy said that he did not wish such food but that he had no other to eat.  Students are crying out against this outrage.  While I was there a “Smoker” was advertised to be held by the law students.  A student told me that a beer wagon was engaged by the Seniors of Sheffield School of Yale for their wrestling match procession.  These Seniors upon application can get a tin cup and help themselves to this rotten slop that will destroy their willpower and make them slaves of the drink habit.  What can be expected of Freshmen if Seniors set such an example?  This will show what it leads to: 

The demoralization of the students is talked of universally.  They have what is called Freshman “Games”, which are as follows:  Upon appointed evenings they will meet at a select hotel (saloon).  They take their places at the table, then, each one at the table, “sets them up” to all the rest.  If there are twelve at the table each one gets twelve drinks.  You can imagine the “games” after such a debauch.  I saw some young men there from Kansas and I asked them:  “Why do you come to Yale?” I would never send a boy of mine to Yale.  If I had a hundred I would send them to a state, that made such things a crime.  Here is a college that has received donations of millions lately, that young men may be prepared and fitted for stations of moral, mental and physical eminence