The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-14
THE GIRLS GIVEN A SHOW.
A VICTORY WON by THEM AT
STATE UNIVERSITY.

For the First Time in Its History
Young Ladies VIII Read Essays
From the University Chapel stage.
The Matter Debated by the Univer-
sity Trustees Yesterday and Fa-
vorabIe Action Taken by Vote of
to 5.
Athens. Ga. June 15.-Next Tuesday
afternoon will witness quite revolu-
ton in the customs of the University
of Georgia At that time two fair
young daughters Of Georgia will read
essays at the University Chapel stage.
These young ladies are Miss Lollie
Smith of the State Normal School and
Miss Emerly Nuekies of the Girls Nor
NAL Industrial College. and they viii
enjoy the distinction OF being the first
women who ever read essays from
that stage. The rules of the University
have always denied The gentle sex the
right to speak in the chapel Hence
this new departure will upset the Gus
tom of a century. 1t is safe to say that
the chapel will be crowded to its ut
most seating capacity Tuesday after
noon to witness this event.
A year since the board of trustees
passed a resolution inviting the differ
ent branches of the University to send
white male representatives. TO partiei-
pate in the exercises at commencement
IN this city, In some way the resolu-
tion was misunderstood at the State
Normal School and Miss Lollie Smith,
of Greene county, was chosen to rep
resent that institution. This selection
naturally raised the question as to
whether she was eligible to the place
under the rule of the trustees.
1t was decided to refer the
matter to the Board of Trustees and
Chancellor Hill did so. remarking on
the subject that if Miss Smith were
allowed to read her essay there should
be representation accorded to the Girls
Normal and Industrial School at Mil
ledgeville The Board of Trustees took
this matter up to-day, and it was the
occasion Of a lively debate, which ex-
tended over the greater portion of the
session. The Committee on Laws and
Discipline, to which the resolution ia
voring the allowing of the young ladies
to read their essays was referred, re-
ported adversely. but the board adopted
the resolution by a vote of to 5.
The point was made that such action
would be the opening wedge for CO.
education at the university, but those
in favor of it replied that it would not
have the effect of precedent as 1t APP
piled only to this commencement AS
matter Of fact there are not more
than three members of the board who
are in favor of opening the doors of
the university to women. The resolu-
tion as finally passed authorized Chan
cellor Hill to invite representatives,
either male or female from the State
Normal School and the Georgia Normal
and Industrial School to take such part
in tho commencement exercises as he
might suggest. Chancellor Hill at once
invited Misses Smith and Nuckles to
read essays next Tuesday afternoon,
and they will doubtless accept the in
Vitation.
1t is probable that Prof, Hugh N,
Starnes of the Department of Agri-
culture in the university, will tender
his resignation to the trustees at their
present session. 1t is the intention of
the trustees to extend he sphere of
usefulness of this department and to
make a number of improvements
therein. Prof. Starnes has been pro-
fess0r of agriculture for the past
three years, and should be resign the
trustees have no special man in view
as his successor and will defer action
until a later date.