Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-06-11
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THE SCHOOL ROW.
Statement Of the Issue that Has 50
Excited Randolph District.

! Statement Of the Issue that Has so
Excited Randolph District.
The following is fair statement Of the
existing troubles in the Randolph High
school, we believe.
When the subject Of commencement
programs came up several weeks ago, the
school committee requested the graduating
class, in case it should decide TO have
dance or ball during the commencement
period, not to include il in the invitations
or programs as part Of the regular gradu-
ating exercises given under the auspices OF
the school. This the class agreed TO do
The preparation OF the program was done
by the class secretary and one other men-
Der. The secretary was not present at the
time the committee made their request
and claims he did not know OF il. Other
members, however, who saw the program
while it was being prepared did know OF
it, according to their own statements, yet
allowed il to go in. When the program
was issued, it included ball for the even
ing of Tuesday, June 9Th. to which, as to
the other exercises, the recipients were IN
vited in the name Of ssIhe faculty and sem
ior class OF Randolph High school,"
The committee, whose directions were
thus ignored, sought an explanation nrst
OF the principal, but Mr.. Prichard was un-
able 10 explain anything, being as much
surprised as they. Then they called IN
Allt CHESS OllANIH anu AnhlAN AiliA inNNAAhE
with the class. Some members Of the class
professed ignorance OF the fact that the
ball was to be included. Some members
insisted that it was all a mistake or negii~
gence and that they, at least, had no inten-
tion OF disobeying the committee. Final
ly, the committee requested the class 70
recall the invitations and strike out the
Objectionable matter The class at first
agreed to comply, but later decided not to.
The committee delivered the ulttmatum
that the invitations must be recalled, as
far as possible, and forbiddmg the holding
Of the ball a. part of the regular program
and the using OF any Of the class funds %
defray the expenses thereof. The class re-
piled that it would carry out the program
as printed.
The committee felt that their authority
had been defied by some members OF the
class whose identity they could not deter
mine; that no adequate explanation had
been made; and that its final demands
were justified. The class felt that the
committee was perfectly willing 10 convict
them of wilful wrong-doing; that their
explanation had been sufficient; and that
the demand in regard to the class funds
was not only beyond the committees
power to make, but was calculated to
break up the ball itself something that
the committee had consented TO at the out
set This latter view they claim was con-
firmed by talks with the principal and
two Of the committeeman. They say they
were willing to recall the invitations untu
this purpose was evinced.
The committee, on Tuesday forenoon,
Informally presented the graduates with
their diplomas, and informed them that 50
far as 1.-THE cOmmittee-was concerned
commencement was over; there would be no
exercises under school auspices. The class
went ahead and held its class day exer-
cses Tuesday afternoon, and the concert
and ball Tuesday evening. 1t proposes to
carry out the program Of Friday evening,
ordinarily the graduating exercises, az
planned, with the exception OF the presen-
tation OF diplomas.
The whole affair Is very humiliating and
fegrettable to all who have the schools
interest at heart