Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-05-30
THE VERMONT PHd1NIX BRATrLEBORO FRIDAY MAY 30

Three representatives Of the Bell Tele-
phone company have been inspecting the
local exchange plant throughout the coun-
~ this week
The National rifle clubs spring shoot was
held at Vernon Wednesday and Thursday
The heavy wind prevented the making Of
very good scores N s. Brockway of Bel
lows Falls took the medal for the best FIVE
strings. r {. Cressey Of this place Won
one first two second and one third prizes.
THE HIGH SCHOOL TROUBLE.
The local excitement Of the week has
been furnished by the decisive action taken
by the school board to control spirit of
lawlessness which has been manifesting it.
self in the High school for some time past
A very annoying exhibition Of this spirit
has been the habit Of throwing large ex
plosve matches on the floor Of the school
room where they would go of when trod-
den on Intentionally or otherwise There
was an outbreak Of this sort of mischief
several weeks ago, but on Wednesday Of
last week there was an outbreak that was
worse than ever, the character of which
showed that it was the result Of concerted
action. The committee we're informed of
this and at the opening of the session on
Thursday afternoon the full board visited
the school room and Dr. Holton spoke to
the school on the subject, saying that sort
OF thing must stop, and If, after that there
were further developments of the kind,
prompt measures would be taken to discover
the culprits and when found they would
be severely punished After the close Of
school that night the floors were carefully
swept, to make sure that no matches were
left there. Friday morning, in spite Of the
warning given by the committee. the racket
began again, the heads Of the matches be
ing broken of and snapped under the desks
and over the room causing an almost con
tinuous fusilade At the opening of the
session on Friday afternoon the school
board appeared on the scene once more, &C
companled this time by Sheriff Starkey
! The visitors stationed themselves in one of
| the ante rooms, and the boys Of the school
were called in one bv one for private in
terview They were required 10 show what
their pockets contained, and were ques
toned as to what they knew about the sub
iect under consideration As fast as each
boy was done with he was passed on into
| another room. those against whom no Sus
picion rested being allowed to 20 home
| The proceeding occupied the afternoon. and
at the close the suspected parties had been
| sifted down to small number Some fur
Their investigation WAS held on Monday
morning and at the opening of the after
noon session the full board once more made
their appearance Five boys were called
10 a front seat, they were told what the IN
vestigation had disclosed, and were then
formally expelled from the school for the
remainder Of this term, and we're forbidden
10 appear i'll the school building or on tn,
school grounds This was followed by som,
very earnest and impressive words to tn,
school by MIR Stoddard
This occurrence has inevitably caused
much comment and "A variety Of opinions a.
to the wisdom of the methods employed
Among right minded people, however
there can be but one view OF the case
When it comes to the question whether few
unmanageable boys shall destroy the use
fulness Of the school by malicious practices
OF whether the school shall be ruled by tn,
teachers and committee, the choice must al
ways he with the latter The COMMITTEES
have taken what seemed 10 them the bes
way to stamp out an evil which began t.
exist before the present school year. an'
the good of the school, both present an,
future requires that they be sustained b,
the sentiment of the parents, at home a
. well as ip public