Arizona republican., 1905-05-24
A PROTEST
Against CommerciaI;sm at Com
 mencement Time.

To The Editor of the Republican, Sir:
 Some of the happiest memories, the
 fondest recolections of days gone by
 are centered around two days, class
 day and commencement. Those two
 days which are the continuation of four years work in high school.
 These two days are almost sacred to
 the writer. They marked the parting of the ways. Youthful associations and even friendships were ended. New CT again will all his classmates be gathered together. From that point, some by force of circumstances were compelled to begin the real battle of life and work to help support their families and perhaps assist younger brothers and sisters in securing at least as good an education if not better one. Others under more favor able circumstances were permitted to drink deeper from the well of lnowl- edge and thus prepare themselves to give humanity better service toward it's uplifting.
 The thoughts of the students at this time should all be directed to the idea of having these two days show to the public at large, to whose bounty they are indebted for the blessing of lib- eral education that their kindness has not Deen unappTeclaleO- TO De gwen an opportunity to obtain this educa- tion has been an inestimabIe privilege The we'll doing of the work should be its own reward. The students should be proud to use their best endeavors to repay if possible in a small way by affording an entertainment to those to whom they are so greatly indebted.
 No mercenary thoughts should be all lowed to lntrude at this time. It is true that ways and means must be provided and if the trustees are not in possession of funds necessary to pro- vide a suitable place for this final eel ebration, then, although this fact can not be too greatly deprecated, to that extent money must be obtained.
 Last year the graduating class charged an admission of twenty-five cents to their class day celebration The amount obtained was sufficient to pay all the expenses and leave profit of sixty dollars. This year the grad uating class has held a meeting and losing sight of all the finer ideas of what this celebration should be. has decided to charge fifty cents admis- sion, with the idea they will provide an entertainment so much better than that of last year that an additional charge is justifiable. In other words not only must the public accord them the privilege of obtaining an educa- tion but must also pay them for talk ing advantage of their opportunities.
 The manifestation of this spirit of commercialism, of determination to make profit out of kindness of the public and at the expense of the very people who make the blessings of edu- cation a possibility shows a lack of the finer feelings, sensib!lities and 1 ideals which that very education is supposed to engender.
 The amount is not the question, 1t is the principle of the thing. It is the duty of those in authority to so ex- i ercise their authority that these young ! men and women in after years can | look back at this period with feelings : of pride and pleasure and not with | that other sordid spirit which will | say ives our class day was a great ! success. We made one hundred and | fifty dollars" R.