Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1915-02-25
HIGH SCHOOL PLAY.

| The students of the high school viii
lpresent THE Merchant of Venice" in
the Municipal Theatre on Friday even
ing, March 5th, Appropriate special
costumes will be worn by all characters
and every effort will be made to make
the presentation as real and complete
an expression of the authors meaning
as it is reasonable to expect from high
school students.
We have 80 excuses to offer or apol-
ogies to make for presenting such q
classical rather than modern play,
although the latter may be better suit
ed - please the taste of certain popular
audiences. We are not entering into
competition with the modern theatre as
a source of amusement, nor are we en-
tering the theatrical field on CONNER
cial basis.
AS public institution, with well de-
fined functions to perform, the under
signed is unable to recognize any license
on the part of public school to divert
the energies of either its teachers or its
students from their legitimate and well
recognized persuits for either of the
above named reasons. The only valid
reason for such diversion, it seems to
US, must be based upon intellectual
grounds. If, in the judgment of those
responsible for the proper direction of
the educational forces of the commun-
ity, it seems wise, from the standpoint
of educational returns, to engage in
dramatic expression, such end justities
such diversion. Justification of the
material employed must also be sought
in the field of educational returns.
In our best judgment, there is no sing
lie activity, consistent with high school
organization and regulations, that can
be more effective as factor in the de-
velopment of boys and girls of high
school age into efficient, self-respecting,
self-controlled, forceful men and wom-
en-, than can the activity of dramatic
expression.
That this energy should be expended
upon material that is justifiable, from
the stand point of the class room and
the curriculum of the high school, is but
corrollary of the proposition that
public school has no license to engage
in any activity save on educational
grounds. The thoughts expressed in
the above named classic are pure, ele-
waiting, true to life, and altogether
wholesome. From the stand point Of
both the thought and the language. it
would be we'll for the students who
commit these lines to remember them
and to quote them, from time to time,
as long as they may live. This is not
true of the ordinary play, the thoughts
of which are often as trivial, or the
language of which is often so shallow,
that the sooner the lines are forgotten
the better.
No objection is herein intended to the
practice of high school students engage
ing in light theatricals. as an outside
activity, for the pleasure they derive
therefrom, or for the sake of raising
funds to enable them to enjoy them
selves in other ways. The objection IS
to the diversion of the regular educatioI-
al forces into unjustifable channels,
when there lies at hand more profitable
material, the use of which is as justifi-
able as is any other school activity.
One word further as to the CONNER
cial aspect of the matter. We do not
feel justified in any course simply be-
cause it brings in money. A public
school has no authority to engage in
raising money. Any money that is col
lected by school, or by any organiza-
ton connected Herewith, should be re-
garded as a public trust, and expended
for public purposes, subject to the APP
prevail of public officers, who are re-
sponsible to the people.
This policy has been, and will continue
to be, strictly adhered to in all matters
pertaining to our high school. Since
the expenses in connection with this
play are considerable, and since the
seating capacity of the theatre is limit
ed, barring free entertainment, and
since there are several pressing educa-
tional needs for the surplus receipts,
the usual admission fee will be charged.
E. c. GOTHAM, Supt.