Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 164

not to mention his name in the book. In faculty meeting, Professor Sinclair, father of a member of '93, moved that, "Because of the betrayal of confidence placed in the class of '93, and because we cannot think any other class is likely to be more trustworthy, the publication of a class book be from this time prohibited." The motion was tabled, but the faculty did vote to demand that proof sheets of future publications be submitted to a faculty committee. This rule was followed by '94, Dr. Conant and Dr. Haynes being chosen as inspectors. A cartoon in the book showed the hands of the editors being guided by the hand of the faculty. The book was dedicated to Dr. Conant.

Graduation exercises went through a period of evolution between 1882 and 1894. The long ordeal was considerably lightened when the reading of theses was discontinued, and the number of speakers reduced. Candidates were still required to appear before a board of examiners, three of whom were nominated by the alumni after 1885, but these worthy gentlemen were not required to examine theses in 1887 or thereafter. A few of the best theses were selected for reading at graduation, subsequently only one. The last reading was in 1895.

Graduation was usually held in the chapel, occasionally in Mechanics Hall. Apparently the conduct of the graduating class on these occasions was not above reproach, for in 1885 the trustees passed a most astonishing rule. As a safeguard against "gross impropriety" on such occasions, they asserted the right of the Corporation to revoke degrees at any time after graduation. This action produced several gasps from the press, but since it was never brought to trial, students accepted it complacently. One other break in the solemnity of the annual event came in 1888, when as a protest against the system of marking and award of prizes, one of the "first six" returned the Salisbury prize to the astonished trustees.

The Commencement period of 1888 was also marked by the inauguration of formal Class Day exercises. In 1892 the

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