Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-06-08

4
| One Who KNOWS.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mr.. Coates Makes . Statement.
To the Editors OF the InTELLIaRNcER:
Knowing that every shape and form ol
report that the fancy of man can frame is
circulated Or published about my recent
expulsion from the Millersville normal
school, and knowing that many of these
reports dishOnor my motives and myself,
1 beg the use of your columns for the pur.
pose of a personal explanation.
There are rules in Millersville regulating
the intercourse of the sexes. So far as ]
know, have never been charged with dis.
regarding or violating these regulations.
It is true that the stringency of these rules
now far exceeds anything known in the
history of the institution, and, in my
opinion, seriously hamper the literary
societies there by making it exceedingly
difficult and disagreeable for mixed CON-
mittees to meet for the preparation of
society work. But have easily found
it possibly to exist as student and as a
society member under them.
On the evening of May 9th was held
the anniversary msoting of the Page liter
ary sociecy. am member of the Page.
Shortly before the celebration of this oc-
cas- ion DR.. Brooks intensified tho strin-
ger,cy Of the regulations and annou need
that they were to be applied indiscrimin-
ately to student and visitor. As result,
ono gentleman, while speaking to his wife
and her student-sister ON the campus, was
removed a member of the alumni, talking
with two gray-headed old women, was re-
quested to leave the ladies' side of the
grounds visiting brothers or sisters were
not permitted to see their relations any,
wherc but in a small, crowded room,
called ''the ladies' parlor." I felt that
the guests of the Page society were un-
handsomely treated and every one who
spoke to me on the subject spoke indig-
nantly. This general indignation found
expression in an article, read in the Nor
NAL Racie,o on the following evening, May
2Sth.
On Friday morning, June 3, DR.. Brooks
commented severely on this, ridiculing the
judgment Of the students in the matter,
and announced that no criticism would be
tolerated upon any act or saying of his,
any act or saying Of the faculty, nor any
rule or regulation of the nstitution-add-
ing that the editors of tho society papers
would be held responsible for the charac-
ter of the articles read by them.
On the next evening, June 4, was to
occur the annual reunion of tho junior
literary societies. had been made editor
of it's paper. A contribution was offered
entitled "Autocracy of Millersville."
After ascertaining that the facts stated in
it were all true and, after careful delib-
Grafton, uninfuenced by tho feelings or
judgment of anybody else, 1 decided to
read the article. resolved to read the
article
Because thought the rule suppressing
complaint to be unjust and wrong in prin-
ciple-even DR.. Brooks publicly admitting
that it had not been formally endorsed by
the trustees.
Because thought that even the rule
itself could not be complained of, for stu
dents signing petition or remonstrance
questioning the wisdom or justice of the
regulation were under its provisions liable
to punishment.
Because I thought that no institution
supported in part by the public -fostered
by free state, has right to deny the
privilege Of complaint when sincerely
made.
Because claim the incstimable privi
lege of crying couch " when am hurt.
Because the whole matter had to me the
taint and color of an attempt to suppress
free-speech, and that too in a public institu-
tion established for the purpose of training
teachers to fill the public schools of free
land.
Because am % years old, 6 feet tall,
weigh 1856 pounds avoirdupois, and have
no desire to receive the treatment of a
child.
Because am too much of a democrat
to witness the execution of arbitrary en-
actments for which there seems to be no
redress, without saying I" I object.'' !
On Tuesday morning, June 2, in open
chapel, was pronounced expelled from
the institution and since that time I have
not been upon the grounds. While the facul. |
ty had my case under consideration Is or 80 |
gentlemen signed an agreement to leave
Tho institution in case the critic or editor
were suspended or expelled. This agree
ment was not exhibited to the faculty and,
I am informed by the signers, was not in
tended to coerce, but was simply deter
not to live under the last named
rule, the enforcement of which our expul-
sion or suspension would Indicate to be