The San Francisco call., 1896-03-28
BECAUSE OF HIS POVERTY, \,
The High School Editors Ex.
planation Of the Faculty's
Disfavor.
MCHESNEY5 FLAT DENIAL.
Though Popular With the Pupils Will.
lis Ketcham Is Persona Non
Grata to the Teachers,
MCHESNEY'S FLAT DENIAL.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,l

oOo DrOauWdy, MaICu ~.
Willis Ketcham, pupil of the High
School and editor of the Egis, the school
organ, has been sent away from the insti-
tuition by Principal McChesney.
Ketcham says he was suspended because
his position as editor was not agreeable to
certain members OF the faculty on account
of his humble circumstances. Professor
McChesney says it is because the lad is not
securing the average amount OF good
marks; but this is disproved by the facts,
for there are several pupils whose marks
are no higher than Ketcham's and some
that are lower.
Il never was so surprised in my life, !"
said Ketcham tonight. "Of course / knew
that I was not so forward as many of the
scholars, but / never had any fear that
could not get through. My last report
card contained three C's and B. and
know of others having lower standard
who are allowed to remain in the school,
and students sometimes get through on
five C's, and | have been promoted before
on the same marking as my last card
shows. Of course l could not help but
wonder at my abrupt dismissal. I am
here from Indiana, living alone on the
least possible pittance, trying to fit my
self for something in life, and when I was
told that my work was not satisfactory
naturally wonder why others are allowed
to stay in the school whose standard is no
better than my own III their respective
studies. / don't think l was treated right
by Professor McChesney.
There are two classes of pupils in the
High School. One class has wealthy
class is composed of pupils like myself,
who barely manage to get enough to eat
to enable them to study. When l was
elected editor of the Egis by large ma
jority the faculty at once expressed dis
approval. A resolution was passed that
in future all nominations must be sub
mitted to the faculty for approval prior to
election. This was not thought of until
after my election, and simply meant that
the faculty would have black balled me had
my nomination been submitted to them"
THE story that | tried to subsidize the
editor of the 1Egis and such talk is all
false, as anybody knows without being
told" said Principal MeChesney. "Why,
instead OF being preiudiced against
Ketcham, have been his friend. never
interfered with the Egis. as every teac her
inthe building will say. With.Ketcham it is
this way: His studies have been so poor
that his teachers have continually COM
planned, and ne is only one of lot who
were dropped. For the same reason sev-
eral more are on the docket now. / can't
expel anybody; that is for the City Super
intendent to do.
"After many unfavorable reports 1
called Ketcham to me and talked with
him. He said he would do better, SO |
became necessary to take some decided
action on the recommendation of his
teachers, SO / again called him to my
Office. Then 1 said: See here, Ketcham,
you are doing nothing; why don't you
withdraw from the school? There is no
need of fooling your time away here 20 the
in Jury of the school. Go somewhere else
sity.
II would consider the proposition of his
coming back if he can give a satisfactory
pledge that he will go to work faithfully.
In this regard l am acting on the advice
of Superin tendent McClymonds He has
often told me to get rid of the pupils that
don't do anything, and so l have sent out
more than ever this year. l felt COM
PEELED against my wishes to tell Ketcham
to drop mis- studies, for l was trying to
help the boy out and now he has caused
all this fuss. With regard to the Egis
business and those marks, that is all
false"
The system of electing teachers to the
Oakland High School is partly responsi.
bic Tor the social class lines that exist.
The teachers are elected every June for
one year only, and every year they have
to be reelected. This system .necessi-
tates that each teacher and his or her
friends must make fight for their places
among the School Directors prior to elec-
tion night. Last year three teachers of
marked ability faiIed of re- e-eection after
long terms of service, and as the election
approaches the feeling OF uncertainty in
creases. 1t has been stated that the most
natural way for teachers to make them
selves solid politically is to begin in the
classroom.
1t is said that this has been done.
Ketcham's s contention is that the faculty
would rather have some one of the su-
perior social class to edit the High School
paper, and that his hand-me-down suit is
not an acceptable sight to those more
favored with this worlds goods than he is.
All the professors and teachers unite in
saying that Ketcham is very backward
and does not make reasonable progress
That he is very popular with the majority
of the pupils is proven by his election two
months agot to the position OF editor of the
Epis