The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-21
COMMANDMENTS
Al WASHINGTON AVE JEFFERSON


Entertained At Convent Hall.
Correspondence otNe IateEtoMeE.
wAsutSGroN, Pa, June 2o.-Times change,
and all things but college commeneements
are changed with them. These never change:
on the oontasy they are as constant as the
Northern Star in ali save non-essentials
The conservatism OF colleges Is shown in the
very name commencement" which the
changes OF time have converted into mis-
homer. One would think that colleges
would be progressive, even RADICAL but II
they are, they have great fondness for
forms, presidents and customs. Even the
themes discoursed upon at commandments
In this age OF fresh, practical topics are hoary
with age and decrepit from abusive trest-
msnt. Graduates are abroad In the land TO-
dpy reading their stilted essays on THE
Night Brings Out the stiTs," beyond the
| Alps lies Italy, ""stand out OF my Sunshine, /,
and other equally antequated SUBJECTS, as II
their ancest Jrs had left some phase Of them
untouched. have already seen during this
season a eoodly number OF programmes bear.
Hing the above captions Is It possible that
the enterprisipg literary bureaus which fur
nish to graduates such fine productions 81
make the fond parents hearts rejoice, may
have an eye To business and furnish dupli'
Gates OF their orde't2 l do not pause for q
reply-abiding faith In an ofspricg's genius
ought not to be 20 rudely shaken. Here
these ref ections were interrupted by the en-
trance OF the class Of 'S3, which reminds me
that YOUR readers want to hear what they
have 10 say, and not to learn your correspon'
pent's views on COMMENCEMENT in general.
| The class was loudly applauded as they filed
| In and took their places on the platform
| The scene before them must have been 40
inspiring one--the great audience composed
largely Of their lady friends, the music
flowers applause all contributing to theil
happy send.oa
THE CLASS.
The class consists OF J. r. Anderson, sam'
mel Amspoker, George Baird, Geo. Q. CLARK,
r. NJ. Collier, Z. E. Crumrine, r. A. Elliott,
Elmer E. Frasher, W. B. Hamilton, Jas. =.
Irvine, J. II. Johnston, Walter Johnston, q.
| q. Lepper, A. NJ. Linn, w. O. McConaughey,
j, R. McQuaid, L. V. Mlrtindell, @. B. Reid,
d. B. Rugn, G. 8. Smith, N. NJ. Smith, N. Il
| Stevenson, John G. Louzean, B. G. Vancleye,
James T, Walker, Jas. E. Weirck, VIM. F.
| Wise.
Thirteen gentlemen were assigned orations
on commencement according TO class-stand-
ing. The first honor was divided between A
NJ. Linn, OF Washington, and q. B. Reid, OF
Steubenyille, the former having the saluta-
tory and taking for his subject, "faith In
SCIENCE" He made graceful appearance
on the platform, but uttered the good
thoughts OF his speech in such q low and
rapid manner Us TO mar their effect
Mr.. Amspoker's subject was THE PhiloSo'
| II n " aud Eta traa ans.
tained his reputation as student. His voice
was clear and commanded attention from the
start. He dwelt upon the wide difference
between the theory and practice Of govern
ment, aud logically showed how, since gov
eminent ID the product OF necessity, the In.
diyidual must give up 10 the general good.
This Grafton displayed painstaking study
and research upon the part OF the AUTHOR.
M. Collier was next on the programme, his
subject being "MysteIy,n but was excused
from speaking for some reason not made
known. "our Common School System" was
the theme OF Mr.. Hamilton, and II was ably
handled. "How far Is our school system q
SUGGEST In what way can 1t be improved?'
These questions the speaker answered to the
apparent satisfaction Of the audience.
Among the weak points OF the system hs
named its failure to reach large portion oil
thoee for whom It Is intended, poor teachers,
frtauent changes OF teachers, incompetent
and corrupt school officers, and the lack OF q
compulsory law. This Grafton was one OF
the best .-alHI.
Az ILLUSTRATION.
It may be remarked right here that
some OF the failures OF the common school
system were veiT apparent at this commence
ment, where young men Just graduating
| f.on1 n oalla0a wnra heard ntapY0nnnNninV
common words and speaking In school boy
style.
Mr.. Irvine had an excellent address on
'DThe Idea OF the Ages" for which the
audience testified ticapproyaL Walter
Johnston complained OF Zoo Much Work, "
although he Is known as working student.
But Lepper fairly electrified his hearers by
his acting. His delivery was most pleasing,
though his subject, Genius, us quite hack
neyed. He was vooiterously appiauded.
Mr.. McConaughey was excused.
G. s. Smiths subject was 1.-THE Social
Revolt In Europe" which, although not
well committed, struck the audience as one
OF the most original performances Of the day,
dealing as II did with fresh subject -.
stevenson's treatment OF THE Philistine"
was the unique and Witty performance OF
the day. His manner was perfectly cay,
the matter very entertaining, and regret
that can convey no adequate idea OF the
general excellence OF this production.
A sEw SUBJECT.
J. q. Louzsau discussed upon 1.-THE Fail.
ure OF the, Reformation In France" Him
self a Frenchman, the speaker was well pre-
pared TO speak on such q subject. He made
an allusion in his speech to the clasS-dsy ex.
ercises, in which the class historian informed
us that Lonzean's little girl says
be Is 70 hug 'er mott In closing he
said, " would rather be the descendant Of q
huguenot than the son OF Q king! "The
Rock that Wrecks" was Jas. T. Walkers
theme. This was fns production gracefully
delivered and Justly applauded. lntemper.
ance was dwelt upon at length as the chief
rock that wrecks. In closing he recited very
iselingly portion Of Iongfellow's "Launch.
inr of thv Ship" The yaledictofy was deliy.
cred by c. b. Reid, otstsubenville. This ex-
ercise was necessarily 10 uewhat stereotyped
In form, bat the different addresses 10 cih-
zsns, trustees, faculty, students and class
were all feelipgly delivered.
Mr. J. G. Boyer, OF Allegheny, OF the class
Of 80, delivered the masters GRAFTON, taking
"Bariism" as his subject. He thoroughly
mastered 1t.
Dr.. Moffatt conferred the degree Of bachelor
OF arts upon twenty.tour OF the class and
bachelor OF science upon Frasher and Am
spoken. He then said few fare well words
to the clas. The Doctor Is universally liked
by the students and people, and Is filling his
difficult position 10 the satisfaction OF all.
SAMUEL JONES PRIZES.
The President announced the result OF the
examinations for the prizes offered by Prof.
Samuel Jones, as follows: First prize In
physics, 500 TO A. N. Linn, Warrington;
second prize, $25 TO Q. B Reid, OF SteubeI'
vile; first prizs In classics 500 to Mathew
$25 to Minor II. Day. Toledo, Pa; first prizs
in mental science, $50 to W. B. Hamilton,
NUnnkIanta0