Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-05-14
I rom NJ ADDISON.
STATE UNIVERSITY,
MADISON, WIS, May 10th.

MADISON, Wis., may 1Otu
Editor Repub lican-
A case Of suspension occurred here lit
tie over week ago. 1t appears that on
Monday the 2sth OF April, eight of the ten
classical division of the Sophomore clsss
cut their Greek recitation. These young
gents Just before the hour OF this
recitation agreed to cut it. The ninth
Soph., who first proposed this very bright
trick, left his hat in the recitation room,
and on going back after it remained to tho
recitation, and thus escaped the predica-
ment that eight of his class are now in. AT
the next recitation Prof. Kerr, their Greek
Professor, thought they would see the insult
they had given him, and apologize for 1T;
but as it was passed without anything be-
ing said on the subject, be thought 1t his
duty to report the matter to President
Twombly, who called the delinquents before
him, and asked them to do the manly thing
by apologizing. They refused to decide till
they had talked it over among themselves.
The President told each to be guided by his
own Judgment entirely, and warned them
that the penalty would be severe if they
refused. After discussing this matter they
all determined net to apologize. On in
forming the President of their decision he
again warned them that if the apology was
not made to their Professor in "a hours &C.
ton would be Immediately taken. This
tire expired without an apology being
made. The next faculty meeting, at which
every member of it, except Prof. Kerr, was
present, voted in favor of some punishment
being inflicted on the Sophs., it being left
to the President how severe that punish
ment should be, The chapel was more
crowded than usual week ago last Friday,
this being the morning after this meeting.
All were anxious to learn the fate of the
unlucky Sophs. After the usual exercises
the Presiden read off their names and pro-
nounced them suspended for the rest of this
term.
This action caused great deal of excite
ment amo ng the students of the university,
they generally taking sides with the delin
quents, most of whom are among the best
scholars here. They say it is unjust, that
other classes have cut their Rotations and
not been punished, except one mark for ev-
cry unexcused absence, and ten of them
severng ones connection from the Universe
ty. If other classes have done the same
thing and gone unscathed does it excuse
them Beside such conduct has not been
reported before. 1t is an evil that must be
stopped somewhere or the part of the tao
recitation they are suspended, but fer re-
tusing to apologize for it when requested to
do so, and that it was case of pure insub
ordination
The Sophs. admit their act was ungentle
manly. The law of the University requires
an apology for every ungentlemanly act,
and for refusal to obey the penalty fol-
lows. They claim that the penalty was
too severe even after pardon was offered for
their offense on such fair and easy terms
and refused. But could the faculty in the
tace of such direct disooedience throw down
the exercise of all proper authority for the
government of the University 1t is wonder
full that students as intelligent as the Sophs.
should make so great blunder.
Their fellow students show their Isympa-
thy for their departed friends by hanging
the signs of mourning in The trees on the
campus, and from the windows and roofs Of
the dormitories, and the remainder of the
Sophs. class by wearing mourning badges. 1t
is to be hoped that the suspended students
will repair their error. and see that the way
to maintain their Lonor is TO respect the
rightful authority of the faculty which has
sought nothing but their welfare.
FRESHMAN.