Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 148, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1914 — Burnstown School Patron Voices a Vigorous Complaint. [ARTICLE]

Burnstown School Patron Voices a Vigorous Complaint.

At Barkley church, Saturday, June 20, there were thirteen pupils graduated, all splendid bright boys and girls, hut from some unknown cause there ihad been no effort made to decorate the church in their honor, not a flower, not , scrap of drapery. In other townships they don’t care tor expense They would just as soon spend 75c as not tor decoration, buying bunting or cheese cloth. Suppose it does cost 5c per yard. The children have gone 8 years and made great effort to finish the common school work. They have looked forward to an array of some kind when they graduated. They like to know they are considered something to be proud of and pleased with. That is not all. It has been a custom. Besides there is an allowance which the trustees can use for the sole pur prise of obtaining music and decoration. Then whoy is it neglected when it is such an event in the life of a child. The music was very good. In fact, it was better than one could expect from the short notice given those who had it in charge. It took incessant practice and it makes lit difficult for anyone jo prepare a program in a few days, The officials know months ahead that there wilj be a graduating class at a certain time. It would be wise to appoint committees to arrange tor decoration and music if It is impossible for them to oversee iit Then the Invitations were not sent out until a day or two before, not giving the children sufficient time to mail them to friends. There didn’t happen to be any “Pharasees” in the class. Perhaps that is why. But we all pay taxes. —A Patron of the Burnstown School.