Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-10
A Graduation Strike.

From Kansas, the breezy land of
curious things. there comes the breezy
tale Of a curious strike. The strike
was net labor affair, but was an incl
dental feature of the graduation sea-
son. The strike was by the graduating
class of the Ottawa, Kansas, High
school. 1t was 10 ordinary walkout.
The boys and girls who We're stand
ing on the Threshold asked no shorter
hours or mere learning. Their griev-
ance was unique and creditable and,
after considerable hesitation and help
less protesting, their demand was
granted
The Kansas City Journal gives us the
details of the affair and they will be
Of interest 10 the members Of gradual
ing classes in this part of the land. 1t
appears that hoy in the class who
rcjniccs in the name of Smith and who
had come all the long weary way of
learning Ia the final and triumphant
day Of graduation, fell under the dis
pleasure of some of the faculty, or
the superintendent, or somebody iii
authority. His maine had been printed
on the program, and there was no sus-
picion that his diploma would be held
up at the last moment. But at that
last moment an announcement was
made to tine assembled class that
young Smith would not be given q
diploma because of deficient deport-
m"nt. The news came as a thunder
bolt to the classmates of the unfortu
There were the dignitarics on the
stage including Il former United States
senator, who was to preside. Every
necktie for the hundredth time had
been adjusted, the girls had arranged
their white skirts with infinite tender
ness and given final pat to their bou-
quvts. out beyond the footIights the
papaS and manaS in stiff rcgalia sat
cxr"cIant and proud. 1t was critical
moment.
At last, after hurried consultation,
the members of the class announced
;hat they would not speak their
pieces" nor thunder their oratirns I'M
less the condemned Smith was brought
into the fold The obdurate school
authorities, vino were used to having
their own way, ordered the curtain to
bc rring NJ. Not whimpcr from the
silent class. The curtain arose slowly,
as il timid Of it's tremendous RESPONSE
biliticss When it had raised a few feet,
a panic broke out among the educators.
1t was quickly rung down, and the
superintendent Capitulatcd. Smith had
won Tie was brought in ana given his
rghtful place between the class
prophet and the agitatcd ValcdiCtorian.
Were the pupils right in their
action" asks the Kansas paper
Yes. undoubtedly. Even if the charges
Of unworthy department against Smith
were valid, ii was not proper or just
that lie he held in suspense until the
last minute to be publicly inundated
before his class and that audience of
hl4 friends and neighbors. Any boy
whose scholarship and department en-
titlc him to- complete his schooling has
a moral right to 4 testimony to that
effect. The scholars who had finished
tho high school were no longer ac-
cuuntdblc to the school authorities.
They had done their work and the
granting of Diplomas was mere c"ur-
tcnus frrmality winch was their due.
Tho school authorities VIII" sought t"
pursue Smith from the class room t"
The final scene were uuibhlcrS. and their
action WAS captions. The time TO have
punished the alleged malcfactor was
,Iuriup tbp school term