Mr. Maxwell failed in trying to solve his problem on the spot and with
strict administration of justice, rather than with a spirit of
coöperation, and a re-direction of energy. In fact he entered the
situation with indignation and actually seemed to be fighting also. He
was trying to “down” the two boys with words and gave them harder blows
because of his superior authority.
He projected the fighting spirit into the school board and the school
societies. Vengeance aroused hostility. If suspension were necessary, it
should have been announced privately to each boy. No mention of
exclusion from the football team should have been made until after more
time had been given for deliberation. If exclusion should finally be
necessary, settle the matter between yourself, the coach, and the two
boys.
However, this fight could not have occurred if the principal had watched
his boys closely enough. High school athletes are eager to have an
unsullied reputation. “A good spirit” in practice and contest games is
so urgently demanded in, and usually exhibited, by college athletes,
that the high school boys readily imitate them. On many occasions before
this the principal should have coached his boys so that Elbert and
Reginald would not have dared to harbor ideas of physical violence in an
effort to gain vengeance.