Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-09
The CeIored Public schools.
GRADUATING ExERCIsES OF THE NORM
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GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE NoRxAI,
DkPARTNESF.
Last evening the graduating exercises OF
the normal department OF the colored high
school took place IL the hall OF the Sumner
school building, In pres enee OF a large
audience. On the stage were seated the
mem bers OF the graduating class, their
tendent Cook, Hon. Robert Puryis, Trustees
Johnson aud BROOKS. Among the audience
were seated Hon. John K. Lynch, Hon. Robt
small. Hon. ]: HARRISON, Prof. John M.
Laugston, Trustees Hovey and Deitrick, ex-
Trustees Alfred Jones, VIM. II. A. Wormley,
VIM. Syphax, Charles King aud Archie
Lewis, and Hon. George E. Baker.
PROC RESS OF THE SCHOOLS.
The exercises were opened by the class
SINGING "Wbat shall the harvest be-" after
which Superintendent Cook made some re-
marks, In the course OF which he stated that
at the breaking out of the rebellion there
were about ZOO children In attendance at
the colored pay schools OF Washington and
ton at that period was II, 900, the attend
ance at those schools was fully proportion
ate TO that OF the public schools of to- day
WIN their population of A. 600. From those
10 the schools OF the relief societies which
succeeded largely the pay schools, and
which did commendable work IN this COM
munity as late IS The year 1868. He gave q
basty sketch of the schools, particularly of
the high school, and said that from ~ pupils
IN 1870 I'll, in the sixth and seventh years OF
1876 '76, in the eighth, ninth and tenth years
of the course and the special or normal class.
OF the p girls who first entered the school, 1 1
have become teachers, and OF the IL boys 3
became teachers, and probably Others. or
the classes entering since its first year 81 are
known 10 have become teachers. In the al
most six years of its existence this school
has furnished not less than IA teachers. Many
OF them have been employed IN these schools,
and, with some exceptions, nave given sat
tsfactiOn. Some to day, in point OF attain
results nFOfiFIGnHY
the school room, are considered among the
most valued of the corps.
THE PROG RAMME OF EXERCISES
was then continued as follows: "Silent
Cities" Msrgaret f. Beckett; "Tbe Object
ofEducation," John f. Freeman; Fashion,
the AutOcTat," Mary A. Jones. Music. "Ths
Destructive Power Of Ignorance" Hiram F.
Gray; 1.-THE Love of Power,n Carrie L. Pry-
or; Unknown Heroes" j. Edward Mason.
Music. "Zsntippe," Fanny 8. Bruce; Con
1s76,n Matilda A. Wheeler. Music. ga Lost
Art" Mary E. Syphax; "National Safe
guards" Alexander G; Shippen; "Woman's
Mann. Music. Certificates to graduating
class. Music. The essays and oratIons were
highly creditable, and the music, both vocal
Miss Caddie z. Parke presided at the piano
At the conclusion of the school exercises,
THE CERTIFICATES OF GRADUATION
were presented by Hon. Robert Purvis after
few remarks, in which he contrasted In
forcible language the present condition o.
the colored race with that OF the past, and
concluded by giving some very excellent ad-
vice TO the class. In addition to the certifi-
Gates OF graduation under the rules OF the
Board OF Trustees, the first honor (gold med
al) was presented to Miss Matilda A Wheel
er by Rev. A. D. Mayo, d. D., OF Springfield,
Mass, who delivered an address replete with
good advice, and taking strong grounds in
favor OF the employment Of female teachers
In the public schools. The exercises termin-
ated with the parting song by the class.
A GREEN HORN from the rural districts of
Maryland, who gave his name as James c.
Dayles, came TO town few days since to
see the sights, and Wednesday night he
CHANGED to meet black and tan street
walker well known in police circles as Auge-
In Slate alley. The next seen of Dayles was
at the 9Th precinct station yesterday morn
ing, where he Dewailed the loss OF his gold
watch and chain. He was directed to the
Police Court, where he obtained a warrant
and Officer JeffTies soon had Miss Allen "a
limbo. After remaining for some time In
duraDce vile she became penitent and sent
for Lieut.. Skippon and told him that she
had sent her lover, colOred man, to get
the watch where she had planted IL I'M
der tree in the Smithsonian grounds and
was afraid he would not bring it to her; that
she wished TO return 1t TO the owner and
thus prevent going to court. The messenger
soon returned with the watch and handed IL
to the lieutenant, who was not disposed TO
nave the case compromised in this way, and
Angie was returned to the Cell and this
morning the whole matter coming before
Smell, she was sent TO Jail for six months
The man from the rural districts went on
his way rejoicing.