Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-05-20
4 HIGH SCHOOL STRIKE.

Just before the graduating class of the Ottawa, Kas., high school compos- ed itself on the stage of the opera house for the ringing up of the cur tain that was to disclose the flower and erudition of the community to awestruck spectators, Imaginable and embarrassing thing happened. The graduates announced a strike. It was no ordinary Walkout. The boys and girls who were standing on the threshold" asked no shorter hours or more learning. Their grievance was unique and creditable and, after con- siderable hesitation and helpless pro- testing, their demand was granted.
 It appears. according to the Kansas City Journal, that one of the class, Horace Smith Jr, who had come all the long weary way of learning to the final and triumphant day of Sradua- ton, fell under the displeasure of some of the faculty, or the superin- tendent, or somebody in authority. His name had been printed on the pro- gramme, and there was no suspicion that his diploma would be held up at the last moment But at that last moment an announcement was made to the assembled class that young Smith would not be given a diploma because of deficient department The +L, Ia,. .J,nl tn a classmates of the unfortunate Smith. What was to be done? There was Professor w. l.. Burdick, of the tni- versity of Kansas, on the stage, as well as eX-Senator Benson, who was to preside Every neektie for the huntredth time had been adjusted, the girls had arranged their white skirts with infinite tenderness and given q final pat to their bouquets. Out be yond the footlishts the papas and mammas in stiff regalia sat eXpectant and proud It was d critical moment.
 At last, after hurried consultation, the members of the class announced that they would not speak their pieces or thunder their orations un- less the condemned Smith was brought into the fold The obdurate school authorities, who were used to having their own way, ordered the curtain to be rung up. Not a Whim- per from the silent class. The curtain rose slowly, as if timid of its tre- mendaus responsibilities. When it had raised few feet, a panic broke out among the educators. It was quickly runs down and the superintendent capitulated. Smith had won. He was brought in and given bis rightful place between the class prophet and the agitated valedctorian.
 Were the pupils right in their ae- tion? Yes. undoubtedly Even Ii the charges of unworthy department against Smith were valid, it was not proper or just that he be held in sus- pense until the last minute to be pub licly humiliated before his class and that audience of his friends and neiehbors. Any boy whose scholarship and department entitle him to com plete his schooling has a moral right to a testimony to that effect. Tbe scholars who had finished the high school were no longer accountable tc the school authorities. They had done their work and the granting of diplo- mas was a mere courteous formality which was their due. The school au' thorities who sought to pursue Smitt from the class room to the final scene were quibblers, and their action was captious. The time to have punished the alleged malefactor was during tht school term.
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 The Curdou Craphic again dem-