Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

$3.50 which could come out ol Tue
necessary expense fund. Mr.. Martin
thought G5 cents wouldn't do what
ought TO be done, as some improve
ments are needed which can't be
made ON that amount, but they
thought they would suspend the work
Of improvements for year and take
a breathing spell. Mr.. Wellman
asked ii 20 cents would pay for all
needed repairs. Mr. Martin thought
II would and would like to have IL
voted. Mr. Wellman moved for a tax
Of 40 cents on a dollaH W. II. Braek-
EFT thought schoolhouses poor
place 10 economic on and seconded
the motion n. f. Taylor asked, In
view of the grand list increase over
last year, how much extra five cents
on a dollar would raise. II. H. Cham-
berlain gave the grand list increase
as about $4,000 Mr.. osgood said the
committee estimated on the increase
when they set the tax at G5 cents, but
he would ike the increase too. and
spoke of improvements to be made.
Col. Miles asked the average per
CAPITA expense OF pupils here as COM
pared with other towns in the state.
MI Osgood didn't know, but his im-
pression was that il was simply a
high average. A tax of 40 cents was
voted. payable forthwith
Under the call for any other busi-
ness. j. J. Eckels entered protest,
IN behalf OF future graduating classes,
.painst circumstances connected with
this years graduating exercises at
Inc high school. In substance his
story was as follows: His son Frank
entered the school four years ago,
taking part In all social and athletic
class doings and up to "Wednesday,
evening. the night before graduation
day. supposed he was TO be regularly
graduated. He took part in all the
commencement exercises, sent out IN
vitations To friends TO attend and
made al usual preparations When
some one on the street told him ne
yyas not to graduate he would mol
believe II. Thursday morning Mr.
Eckels was told by one of his work
mon. who offered his sympathy, that
mis- son had been turned down IN
latin and French lie also received
Il note from an invited friend TO the
same effect. asking If 1t were true.
Frank felt so sure of his French that
he asked for another test Whlch was
granted him, against the rules, took
il and came out all right. Mr., ana
Mrs. Eckels called on Mr.. whitaker
Thursday, asking him why they were
selected for the sacrifice TINS year
Nr whitaker looked into the case
and thought there was some mistake
"a test papers were marked c plus
and raport card total failure. Frank
casled on Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Thomp-
son received a written notification
from Mr.. Martin to the principal that
fron what he had heard he thought
the hoy ought to have a diploma that
night. Frank went to the auditorium
that night but Mr.. Osgood said there
avae 10 diplolna foc hiIN hut ne would
falk with committee and teachers
and see what could be done MT
Eckels declared that it was an lmpo-
sition on parents that they be al
lowed to make all preparations for a
son's graduation and kept in igno-
rance of his failure until told by out
siders He did not complain OF re-
fusa4 to give a diploma when stu
dents were not up in their work, but
of the injustice of failing to notify III
proper season. He said he had been
told he had no cause to kick, since ms
son finally got a diploma; but ne
couldn't be bought by a diploma. II
Frank J. Eckels was entitled 10 III
nlDT111 EfludN lilti llile-f AAt N''''
titled to If on the stage at the audi
tori,,m Thursday night, He wanted
II remembered that the great major
ity of boys in this country are sons
of men not millionaires and If they
can earn money while attending
school they have a right TO DO So
without being insulted. one of his
son's teachers notified him that he
world either have to leave his WORK
or leave her class. He made an ear
nest plea that some rule be adopted
Nv the new board by which pupils
may be notified two weeks before
hand. whether they are to be grad
uated or not a..
m replving. Mr.. Osgood said that
while it is possible with the average
student to thus notify Il IS absolute
IN impossible in case Of those whose
work has been very poor. lie want
ed to give each one every posslple
chance In the case of Frank Eckeis'
he took the blame for his not having a
dinIoma The boy was deficient in
latin ana French There was mis-
understanding about tests. The
teacher said he had not passed the
Latin test, so he refused to grant the
diploua. But he liked the boy, want
ed him to have a diploma and since
tha hoy had compromised on MS
claim Thursday night. he made the
Teacher compromise Friday morning
and give her consent to granting the
diploma.
Mir Eckels having referred TO 9th
az members of the class, Harvey and
Sanders. Mr.. Osgood read letter
from Mr.. Whitaker, explaining about
these cases. Harvey and Mack he
said knew beforehand that they
could not pass; Sanders failed as his
reports indicated in June 'OS; trled
repeatedly to make him make up ms
work: Pettee was deficient IN Eng
lish last fall, was sick and absent
and he told his father he dld nor see see
how he could pass: did not tell MN
he thought he could get through all
right. Some pupils want the work
made easy so they can gain the hon
or of graduation without having 10
work for it. Mr. Osgcod suggested
mat this unfortunate occurrence
might be an object lesson to the low
ar grades that the standard must be
Kent up. He thought two weeks
notification might be possible.
Mr. Martin explained his connec-
tion with the affair From what he
learned he thought justice to the boy
demanded that he should nave III
ploma. Mr.. Osgood insisted that
they must stand by their teachers.
THE teacher did assent to giving the
diuloma next morning. Mr.. osgoou
followed his ideals He assured Mr..
Eckels that the trouble was not due
10 the boys father being poor. or be-
cause of his religion. DR.. Hamilton
here interjected another 'hearsay !;
Did Mr.. Whitaker or members of the
board approach any students and
saw if you'll take a position on the
hall team. we'll make it light for you .
Col, Miles asked whether the finaf
test for graduates was by teachers'
DIR. Holton said that in MS day the
teachers were the servants Of the
committee: the committee decided
such things.
Mr.. Osgood replied that no tests
were given by the committee, but the