Connecticut western news., 1898-10-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
"A Surprising Situationo Dissecte

Editor of Ne,os:
 Doubtless the writer of "A Surprising Situation" which appeared in the issue of Sept 29 of the CONNECTICUT WESTERN NEWS thought he was conferring bene. fit to the public when he wrote his arti- ole, as was indicated by his signature, "Pro Bono Publico." The tone of the first part of the communication was all right though, perhaps, an exaggeration. The condition of the school building re- rerred to is certainly deploring one, but why did not the author stop there instead of branching into a subject of which he was absolutely ignorant? It is plain that he meant to insinuate that the Hotchkiss School is not what it was calculated to be by the founder. This is false because it was her intention to make Hotchkiss strictly preparatory for the best colleges in the country. and that is what Hotchkiss is in every sense of the word. and feel it my duty, as an alumnus. and one who has enjoyed all it's advantages, to rise in her defense. In the first catalogue issued by the school we find these words: ''The aim of the school is to provide preparation for the best colleges and scientific schools under the most favorable con- ditions for instruction and study" Is not that exactly what the School is? And does anybody deny the fact that Hotchkiss is among the first prepara- tory schools in the United States? If anyone does deny it let him investigate in the college world and see. It was but two years Tn attaining that distinc- tion.
 The writer says that "a lady gave $3O0, GOO for boys school which should give boys of moderate means High School Education Through misman. agement las philanthropy the school is failure, with few exceptions only rich boys attend" Let us see how near to the truth Pro Bono Publico has come. We have it in black and white in the original constitution of the School, scholarships exempting re- cipients from paying the annual tuition fee are assigned each year to deserving applicants from the towns of Salisbury and Sharon. Not more than three free scholars, however, can be admitted in either town the same year; and such scholars must be both natives and resi- dents of the town from which they ap- ply" Not only has the school provid- ed in it's constitution for three free scholars each year from the towns of Salisbury and Sharon, but through pure philanthropy the doors of the school have stood invitingly open for any boy in the towns of Salisbury and Sharon who was ambitious to enjoy the advan' tages of the school in spite of his ina bility to pay any tuition fee. Thus far, including the present year. thirty seven boys have enjoyed the full benefit oi the school absolutely without charge Had the school received the usual fee in the case of each of these persons &31, 800 would have boen paid into the treasury which has never been received. Of this. $9.525 represents the amount which would have been paid by resi- dents of Salisbury and Sharon. While Salisbury boys alone have received re- mission of fees to the amount of $7. 375, and Sharon boys to the amount of S2.- 150, and in no case has boy ever been denied admission from his inability to pay the fees. For several years the catalogue has published the following statement. ''It has always been possi. ble, however. to assist limited number of students in greatly reducing theii expensesj in several cases to the extent of the entire annual charge; and in gen, eral it may be said that no ambitious boy need hesitate to apply for admif sion to the School for lack of funds. , The School challenges the contradio ton of the assertion that it has never failed in a single instance to live up te it in the most hearty manner.
 l Every friend of the Hotohkiss Sohoo must feel disposed to thank Pro Bono Publico for the opportunity his commu nication has furnished them of present 1 ing the foregoing statistics, not only fol the purpose of correcting false state ments but also for encouraging boys oi moderate means, or no means whatever to seek admission to the privileges ol the School.
 Ia conclusion let us join in bidding Hotchkiss Godspeed, and to Pro Bono Publico let him remember "Honi soil qui maly pense."
 IRWIN w. SANFORD '95 s.
 Ore Hill, Ct., Oct. 4th, 1898.