Page:Samuel F. Batchelder - Bits of Harvard History (1924).pdf/103

 in the autumn, were about all the outdoor exercise the students had.

The election of officers took place in early July, and was of the most ceremonious character, taking up an entire day. The higher ranks were voted for at Porter's tavern in the morning, and the fortunate winners met in the afternoon in Holworthy to select their subordinates; the announcement and investiture of the new incumbents followed, and a formal dinner finished the evening. Much lobbying and caucusing preceded an election. Cliques and factions fought spitefully for their favorites. As time went on, the pernicious influence of “college politics” increased to such an extent that it was the chief cause of the break-up of the organization.

This event was hastened by the general decline in the reputation of the militia during the eighteen-thirties; and the finishing touch was given by one of the periodic effervescences of the students—the “Great Rebellion of 1834.” Among the disorders which signalized that outburst, some of the battalion’s muskets were thrown from the windows of the armory in University Hall and much damaged. In consequence the usual July election of officers was forbidden by the President (Quincy); and when the collegians assembled after the autumn vacation of that year, they found that all the equipment had