The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-02
THE GIRLS WERE TRICKY
Senior Glass ora Georgia College
Stir UP Trouble.
An Exciting Episode That involved
Governor Atkinson, the President
and Trustees of the Institution
and Many High Tempered
Young Ladies.

Normal and Industrial college at Mil
ledgeville, Ga
To condense the facts, it seems that
member Of the graduating class was re-
Gently convicted of using unfair methods
in answering Latin questions and con-
tossed tho fault. According to tho writ
( ten statement of the faculty. unfnir
methods among the students have run
riot in the institution" for long time.
An agreement had been entered into last
year between the teachers and pupils
that any student found guilty of cheat
ing III the future should DO expelled.
The unfortunate young Indy was ad-
yiBed by the faculty to go home. She
pleaded to be allowed to remain through
commencement and receive her diploma
with the rest of tho class. The faculty
refused, and sho left for homo
Relatives and friends intcrcedcd in
her behalf. Her brother went TO Mil
led9pvine and called upon President
ChapPell Ho asked that his sister be put
back for tho sake Of mercy and be al
lowed to receive her diploma privately.
The president stood firmly by tho unani-
NOUS resolution OF tho faculty.
Governor Atkinson and the board of
trustees We're ut Milledguville The gov
ernor was the guest Of President Chap
pell md was informed of the facts in
the case. He said nothing to Indicate
that he would sntagnize the faculty.
He mado trip to Savannah, and on tho
way, in Macon, telegraphed President
ChnpPell, requesting him to reinstato
the young lady and give her her di-
ploma for his sake" The president
called the faculty together. A long meet
ingS%as held, and 1t was decided to re-
fuse the governors request An address
to the board Of trustees was drawn up
asking them to withdraw the request of
the governor for the girl reinstatement.
The dncunient avcrrod that the stu
dents rs a body supported the faculty in
Its unanimous decision; that the crring
Students reinstatement would surprise,
shock and grove "the noble young wo-
men who have labored so earnestly with
the faculty. to end tho sad and debas-
ing evals OF fraud, etc. in examinn-
tlohs. Such action would DO equivalent
to saying to graduates now and forever.
Your diplomas are certificates neither
Of honest scholarship nor of unsulliel
yeracity. Such action would be sub
versive Of discipline 1t would Clover
tho idoais OF conduct and tho standards
OF right and inevitably damage woman
~ character in its chiefest stronghold
the state has created for it, The facul-
" believed that tho diplomas Of the col
lege ought to BIO passports for the girls
into the schoolooms and business Offices;
OF tho state, and that student confess
eddy guilty Of fraudulent practices in
examinations should not be intrusted
with "a diplomn, and, i'll conclusion
they resolutely refused to condone the
girls offense.
The governor came back to Milhdcc-
Vile and was informed of tho unani-
NOUS refusal Of tho faculty to comply
with his request He was surprised and
mortified. He called upon President
Chappall, and after o long consultation
fa1lsd to move him from his position.
linen the governor determined to over
ride the opposition of tho faculty and
have tho board Of trustees givo tho di
pioIna 10 the obnoxious student at any
COST The board claims the loyal power
" '"1A'- 1No lutIulAt1On OF this lnten-
ton was given in advance.
PRESIDENT Chappell proceeded to de-
liver his expected address at the gradua-
ton to,an immense audience of ladies
and gentlemen, and the programme pro.
ceeded until the delivery of tho diplo-
mas was in order. Governor Atkinson
advanced ON the stage to Introduce Hon.
~. Il. Harris, who was to present the
aheepsk1ns TO the graduates. President
Chappell, the audience and the girls
We're totally unptepared for the ominous
remark with which he began. young
ladies" he said, "the board Of trustees
hnd not the faculty, confer these diplo-
mas. This is their right under the
law" Mr.. Harris proceeded to present
the diplomas to the long list of gradu-
ates, concluding with the name Of tho
young Lady who bad been invited by the
faculty to go home
The effect upon tho house was ike
the sudden explosion Of bomb Amid
% tense silence President Channell
sprapg to his feet and protested against
the granting Of the diploma to the last
young lady named. Tumultuous an
plause followed, many of the people ris..
ing to their feet. Governor Atkins N
left the hall in passion, denouncing
the president for unchivalrous coodnct
III Prosecuting defenseiess girl, AS he
Gald thas he faced Chappell. III, paused