Hold a private interview with the eleven pupils after definitely
deciding on a course of action. In the interview these matters should be
covered: the honors brought to the school by the victory; the plans for
the next debate; the changes in personnel if any; an account of the
after-debate celebration held at Barrymore. Do not disclose any
faultfinding attitude toward the group. Make no statements about their
delinquency; ascertain their motives and attitudes toward their
misconduct.
Later after discovering the ring-leader, meet him privately and go over
the affair in detail. Make him admit the error by tactful questions and
lead him to accept your plan to hold celebrations on home ground in the
future.
Proceed in like manner until a strong minority accepts your policy. At a
regular meeting of the debaters make brief announcement of the opinions,
judgments and resolutions thus accumulated. Reinforce them by a few
strong statements full of enthusiasm and subdued firmness in a way to
show that you stand positively behind the decision to maintain the
school policy.
In your own mind accept the chief responsibility for having so loosely
managed affairs as to make the delinquency complained of a possibility.