After the record is read, you will observe me take from a little red
morocco wrapper, which has been brought to my desk, a number of narrow
slips of paper, which I am to read aloud. In most assemblies it is
customary for any person wishing it, to rise in his place, and propose
any plan, or as it is called, "make any motion" that he pleases. It
would be unpleasant for a young lady to do this, in presence of a
hundred companions, and we have consequently resorted to another plan.
The red wrapper is placed in a part of the room, accessible to all, and
any one who pleases, writes upon a narrow slip of paper anything she
wishes to lay before the school, and deposits it there, and at the
appointed time, the whole are brought to me. These propositions are of
various kinds. I can perhaps best give you an idea of them, by such
specimens as occur to me.

"A. B. resigns her office of copyist, as she is about to leave
school."

"Proposed, that a class in Botany be formed. There are many who
would like to join it."

"When will vacation commence?"

"Proposed, that a music committee be appointed, so that we
can have some marching in recess."

"Proposed that school begin at nine o'clock."

"Mr. Abbott. Will you have the goodness to explain to us what is
meant by the Veto Message."

"Proposed that we have locks upon our desks."

You see that the variety is very great, and there are usually from four
or five to ten or fifteen of such papers daily. You will be at liberty
to make in this way, any suggestion or inquiry, or to propose any change
you please in any part of the instruction or administration of the
school. If any thing dissatisfies you, you ought not to murmur at it in
private, or complain of it to your companions; thus injuring, to no
purpose, both your own peace and happiness and theirs,--but you ought
immediately to bring up the subject in the way above described, that the
evil may be removed. I receive some of the most valuable suggestions in
this way, from the older and more reflecting pupils. These suggestions
are read. Sometimes I decide myself. Sometimes I say the pupils may
decide. Sometimes I ask their opinion and wishes, and then, after taking
them into consideration, come to a conclusion.

For example, I will insert a few of these propositions, as these papers
are called, describing the way in which they would be disposed of. Most
of them are real ca