The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-06-12
Maids Made Mad.
Rebellion in a Female Col
lege in Georgia.

Chronicle from Mi,ledgeville, Ga says:
'.1here was sensation to-day during
the commence ment exercises Of the
Georgia Normal aud Industrial College,
growipg out Of the condic' of the au-
tbority between the trustees and fac
ulty. The case of Que of the students
expelled for breach of discipline iuvolV-
ing the integrity Of her examination,
the faculty decided that she was not
entitled to a diploma. The trustees de-
cided otherwise, as previous to examl-
uafion 10 question the young lady had
been found to be entitled to a certificate
! as graduate.
After full hearing of the case. the
trustees decided to reverse the action
of the faculty and issued diploma
When the young lady's name was an
nounced among the graduates, Presi-
dent Cbappell arose ard protested on
behalf of the faculty against the action
of the trustees. Governor Atkinson
held that the case lad been lpvesti-
gated fully and that the trustees had
determined iu accordance With the law
of the college to issue the diploma and
to assume all responsibility for its ac.
ton There is no question as to the
authority Of the ocsrd OF trustees or as
to the right of student to appeal from
the faculty to the board. When Gov
ernor Atkinson announced that the
trustees would deliver the diploma, the
students, the faculty and the audience
we're auazed. After President Chap
peil made bis protest, Governor Afkiu-
sou stepped forward before the sp-
plause had died away, and with
face white with rage and in voice
choked with anger, he turned 10 Pro-
fessor Cbappell ADD uttered these words
amid death like silence: / have
known Professor Chappell loog time,
but never thought be could be guilty
of All act unbecomiug gentleman
aud so uuchivalrous as prosecuting
defenscless girl.
"He waited moment to give bis
words effect and then be said further
The board of trustees we're guided
solely by justice in. this affair and they
have stood between gross wrong and
the most absolute Justice Again
there was silence. 'The teachers in this
institution be said, cannot confer d.
plonas. Their terms end with this
commencement and they have no right
to do 80 under the law
.'In the pause that ensned, every
teacher or the stage aud every student
present rose en- masse and aceompa-
MED by nearly the whole audience.
started to leave the room. The COVER
nor stood in amazement at such spec
tacle. blush mantling hrs cheeks.
Gray-beaded men present never remem-
bered such spectacle Of silent lndig-
nation hurled at the chief executive
Prof. ChappeI stepped quietly forward
and in few words called the audience
back, the Governor meanwhile altering
some remarks, the purport Of which was
not clearly understood.
Then Fleming DnBignon asked the
privilege Of word and stated that the
trustees merely wanted to do justice TO
the young lady The benedictioo vas
pronoupced aud the exercises we're
over.
''Bu. the most humiliatiog expe-
rience yet remained for Georgia's chief
executive. Here Governor Atkinson
has been the idol Of the college. The
students enthusiastically supported him
iu their own way in bis race for Cover
nor and when be was inaugurated,
they moved heaven and earth to get
permission to attend the exercises in a
body. But to-day, as the Governor
stepped from the stage, be was met by
200 angry, fearful faces. and, ignoring
all rules Of courtesy, the young maids
hissed him to the echo. The senior
class Immediately held session and
unanimously refused to receive their
diplomas from the board of trustees y
The college has $40 students.