Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-28

few vars into several of our public
High schools secret organizations of
the students. These organizations have
for some time been in existence in tho
schools of other states where their in
f'uence has been found 10 be antap-
onistic To the welfare both of the
students and of the institutions.
The public High schools are sup
ported by the taxation of all tho peo-
pie. Such schools should under no cir
cumstances countenance any instru-
mentality which makes for the sep
aration of the student body into
ctdues or factions based upon as
stunned privileges granted to some of
the students hut denied to others. The
secret societies herein mentioned are
not open to all students of the
schools. AIRY exclusive privilege of this
kind is Numerically opposed to the
fundamental democracy OF the public
school.
1t has been noted that these organ
cations tend "a increase the expense
)"f education both to tie members and
20 others III the more expensive Gus
toms introduced and the natural de-
sire OF other students to keen mn
with their fellows.
1t wouli be most unfortunate if the
expense of High school attendance in
our cities and towns should increase
so that secondary school edueation
should come to be regarded as an on
portunity open only TO the children of
we'll todd Parents. The tendency in
This direction OF greater expense
ShaDld ha rh.nEIzJ
wherever it is encountered. 1t is thc
.iuty of High school instructors es-
reeially to use their influence against
any customs that tend in this direc-
ton of increased cost
Among the evils that are attendant
upon secret organizations in High
schools is tnat which grows out Of the
rivalry that exists among thein for
the securing of school and class hon
ors. So intense is this rivalry at times
mat the organization or society be-
comes hardly less than a machine for
Obtaining such rewards School spirit
and class loyalty are not seldom made
subsorvient to tie interests of the So
ciety. Such methods cannot be pro-
dueive of the best results in DroDer
training for citizenship.
so destructive of democratic pur-
poses of the schools have these secret
organizations been shown to be thar
several state Legislatures have en-
acted laws forbidding their existence
IN the public schools In Maine ! be-
lieve Il will be sufficient TO call the
attention Of parents and students to
their attendant evils and to the neces-
sity of the cooperation OF these forces
IN order that their further extension
or growth may be checked.
I believe you will not misconstrtle a
criticism of secret organizations into
one OF student organizations generally
Debating and social societies open to
all students who may care to join.
and conducted under the direction and
guidance Of the school authorities
with full opportunity given TO parents
to know of the inner workings and
plans will do much to promote the in
terests both Of the students and of the
schools and they may we'll be eneour-
aged
/ hope you may be willing. if such
organizations already exist in your
school, TO call upon the students and
parents to cooperate with you in
their elimination. In schools where
they do not already exist full informa-
tiGn of their attendant faults should
render easy their permanent exclu-
sion.
With wishes for a most successful
year in the prosecution of your import
an work. ! am,
Faithfully yours,
PAYSON SMITH.