Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-01
Editorial Comment.
Secret Societies.
portland EXPRESS J


If the addition to the rules and regu-
ations of the school board. which was
was submitted by the committee on
rules and regulations at last nights
montnly meeting, is adopted when the
vote is taken at the next meeting, the
life of the secret society in Portland
public schools is short. The addition is
as follows:
mo pupil of the public schools of
Portland who is, or shall become,
member of any secret society, or what
shall be regarded by the school commit
tee as a secret society, shall be permitted
to represent any public school of Port
land on athletic or debating team, or be
a member of the staff of a school pubi-
cation, take part in any oratorical con-
test, participate In any dramatic or must
! cal entertainment or TO take part IN
any other work than that prescribed by
the rules and regulations of the school
committee.
1t is no surprise that the war against
the frats has been declared in earnest.
1t has been brewing for some time. 1t
was perhaps hardly expected that the
remonstrance against them would be
couehed in quite such drastic terms.
The addition bars the frat man from
athletics, debates, oratorieal contests,
cal ciubs-from everything. in fact. but
his studies Unable to participate in
any Of these phases of school life it
would be a pretty difficult matter TO
get a boy or girl to attend school at all,
to say nothing of making them take
an interest in their studies. Therefore,
if these rules are put into force it is
exit secret societies.
1t is an old subject and arguments
on both sides are familiar to nearly all
interested persons. These school socie-
ties nave even been made the subject
of report by the United States Blu
reau of Education. In Il states their
formation is forbidden by law. In Iowa.
Minnesota and Nebraska, the mere So
licitation of new members is a misde
meanor. In Michigan and Ohio the
school authorities commit INSIDE
meanor if they fail to enforce the pro-
hibition.
1t is no more than fair to make
distinction between those school fra
ternities that admit members of the
faculty and those that do not. The
former are likely to have some serious
purpose aside from a good time, revelry
"roughhouse" variety. 1t may be true
that these societies do more harm
than coed by dividing the student body
into eliques and factions and estab-
fishing in the school democracy and UNI
desirable lines of social cleavage and
personal distinction. This, however. has
never seemed to us a particularly logi-
cal argument
There are cliques all through life, in
school. in society, in business. in pleas
uIe, and there always will be. We each
and every one of us affiliate with those
whom we find congenial. If it is solely
to spare the feelings of the scholars
who are not asked to join that these
societies are to be abolished there
might be a chance for smile of cyni-
cism. Young people may as well learn
the lesson in school as before they
strike out into the world that in every
phase of life they will come in contact
with people who possess pleasures.
privileges and comforts denied them
Still of course, it may be as one grows
older, he or she is better fitted to con-
slider such things philosophically.
| The student who is shut out takes his
| exclusion entirely too much to heart.
| He does not count the number who,
like himself, have been excluded: he
| thinks of the comparatively few who
have invariably been favored. His fail
| ure weighs upon his spirits and quite
| likely may show in his studies. There
| is a possibility of his becoming embit-
tereu and morose when he considers
| that mis- academic career has been
| blighted just because he did not
make" Oily Omega or Eta Pieca Pie.
| IT is the seeretive phase of these So
| cietics that makes them most to be
| feared for boys of High school age are
better eff without secrets These young
people are sent to school to equip them
| selves for the battle of life, and not t.
| qualify for membership in societies
| that more often cause heart burns thar
they create high ideals.