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This Week in Princeton University History for October 14-20

By April C. Armstrong *14

In this week’s installment in our recurring series, faculty are polled about their support for women’s suffrage, the band is banned, and more.

October 14, 1947—In response to a request from U.S. President Harry Truman, Princeton University joins with locals in observing the first in a series of meatless Tuesdays.

October 15, 1915—Of Princeton faculty polled, philosophy and psychology professors are unanimously in favor of women’s suffrage. Physics and chemistry faculty are opposed. One psychology professor explains, “the feminine type is in some respects more suited for political responsibility than the masculine type and in other respects less adapted; the two types supplement each other.” Faculty opponents to women’s suffrage express concern that it would be equivalent to supporting pacifism. A majority of faculty say they will vote for the enfranchisement of women in New Jersey.

The following is a summary, by departments, of the answers received in the Faculty Suffrage Poll: Philosophy and Psychology Pro 6, Anti 0; History and Politics Pro 6, Anti 5; Economics Pro 4, Anti 2; Biology Pro 3, Anti 1; English Pro 7, Anti 5; Modern Languages Pro 7, Anti 2; Classics Pro 4, Anti 3; Art and Archaeology Pro 4, Anti 1; Physics Pro 2, Anti 5; Chemistry Pro 2, Anti 3; Mathematics Pro 2, Anti 1; Miscellaneous, including Geol., Astron., Elec. Engineering, etc. Pro 10, Anti 5
Poll of Princeton University faculty on the topic of women’s suffrage, 1915. Clipping from the Daily Princetonian.

October 17, 1981—Citing the offensiveness of its performances over the past few years, which have tended to include a significant amount of sexual innuendo, Princeton’s band is not permitted to play at the halftime show for the Princeton-Army football game at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The band chooses to perform anyway, in Princeton, listening to the game on the radio.

Photo of band members with text: Princeton University Band: To most of the free world, the Princeton University Band is synonymous with the precision, power and high stepping sonic glory that only a marching band can be. The connection is justified. As the oldest college marching band in America, the P.U.B. is, in a way, the father of every other marching band around, although, at the advice of our lawyers, none of us will ever admit to it. To the deranged few who actually prefer to be called bandsmen, the P.U.B. is so much more. Perhaps the most laid back and relaxed organization on campus, the entirely student run band has only one goal; to make people laugh. Its tolerance is legendary. An open admission policy takes virtually all comers and halftime shows are written in a party atmosphere, open to all who regularly don the orange and black plaid jacket. In the high pressure, often frustrating world that can be Princeton, the band can always be relied upon for comic relief. It is predictable only in its un· predictability and is a guaranteed good time. The band always entertains. Eschewing the homogenized form of the Big Ten, the Princeton Band prefers a style of organized confusion and witty reparté. Its shows poke fun at the pompous, the established and the inherently ridiculous. From a ri­val's affection for sheep to the government of the United States, nothing is sacred. Of course, some people have no sense of humor. An intolerance to ridicule resulted in the band being barred from appearing at the U.S. Military Academy. Though some might consider such censure an honor, Princeton's administration was less than amused and clamped down with what most bandsmen considered to be an unwarranted and unfair policy of rigid Despite the quantum leap in criticism, the band played on. To the class of 1982, the band has been more than just something to do. It has been a loyal companion. Run and managed by officers who have been our friends, it emits an atmosphere that has always been warm and outgoing. The good times we've shared with our fellow bandsmen at practice, or standing on the fifty yard line at Palmer Stadium, and the friendships we've developed over four seasons of insane rehearsals road trips, halftime shows and P-rades are ours for keeps; as indestructable as the P.U.B. itself. So long as there's no purchase necessary, and there are fun guys, open breweries, and warm, sunny autumn afternoons, there will be a Princeton University Band, probably out of step.
This page from the 1982 Bric-a-Brac gives the band’s perspective on its critics.

October 20, 1869—The Pittsburgh Commercial reports that Frank Pierce of the Class of 1870 will soon inherit a million dollars from the estate of his uncle, former U.S. President Franklin Pierce.

Letter from Adrian Joline to C. W. McAlpin, March 27, 1902 notes, "I do not believe that poor Pierce has any address. He began to come into see me and borrow money about a year ago last December. His appearance became more and more dilapidated, and the last time he was in he was almost in rags. At that time he borrowed two dollars for the purpose of getting a room, and he said he was absolutely without shelter."
Whether or not Frank H. Pierce, Class of 1870, had a large inheritance, he seems to have ended up impoverished, as an alum noted in a letter to a Princeton University administrator in 1902. Undergraduate Alumni Files (AC104), Box 134.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.

April C. Armstrong *14

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