National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-23
Commencement Eve al the Sponceran Bu8i-
ness College,
Lincoln Hall Filled With Friends Of the
Sxty-Three Graduates,
The Addresses Listened TO Atenvey and the Speaker.
Showered With Bouquets.
Remarks by Prof and Mrs. spenoeTHnd
Commissioncr Edmondf.[


come to enjoy tho commencement exercises
Of tho Spencerian college. Mrs. Spencer
wore a whitp satin dress and tho professor
dress suit o SMILE and white rose on his
lapel. On other sido and behind thom
beaYied the frosh smiling faces Of the sixty
throo graduates There were also seated on
tho stage Commissioner Edmonds, j. ii.
Bryant, Rev. Dr. McElroy, Mr.. w. l.. Par
sous, A. s. Pratt, II. II. Warner, president of
tho school board. Con, and Mrs. M9ssoy, Con.
Eaton, commissioner Of education; w. III.
Sadlcr. president of the Baltimore Business
college. Hoo. o. ~ Reynolds, Superintendent
OF schools W sln aud Prof Il. c. Townsend.
The dec .tiHus OF tho hall were profusU
and elegant Under each gas iot u national
shield was hung, while suspended above tho
stage aud auditorium wero large baskets Of
flowers. The front Of tho stage was banded
by floral tributes in many designs, whose
fragrance pervadod the ontiro hail. There
were flowers of every shape and color, and
through the foliage of tho tropical plants in
neat wicker baskets, which lined tho edge of
tho STAGE could DO seen the scarlet uniforms
and flashing instruments OF the Marine
band. Bunting and lace in graceful folds,
hung above and about the stage IN every
available space. Almost overy lady who
entered the hall had some floral favor for
hor graduating friends, and II number of
the latter had indeed "a pathway of roses"
A pretty girl in white sat on one corner of
the stage and gAve each graduate one, and
som metimes many bouquets. In the audience,
which filled every inch Of available space
were seated many prominent persons, and n
large number were unable TO gain admission
| to the hall
At 7:35 o'clock Prof Sousa waved his
baton, and tho strains Of king Midas
| filled the hall. A fOw minutes later the or
chestra interpreted in an excellent manner
a..
The sixty-three graduates, headed by their
| instructors, walked upon the stage with firm
step to the strains Of "Swoct Girl Graduates
and took their seats
Rev Dr. Parct invoked the Divine blessing
on the graduates and audience, when all had
beon seated, and the orchestra performed the
Irish PATROL" which they repeated in re-
sponse to the applause.
Tho welcome which the salutatory of Mr..
| Fred. G. SQuires offered extended cordial
| invitation TO all, and his tribute to his teach
ers was glowing one. Tho marked and
scholarly manner in which he chose his
words evinccd careful training
Tho ladies' salutatory, by Miss Claudia
Estelle Pearson, was delivered in u clear,
| fresh voice, and her delivery was natural and
graceful.
The bright and crisp definition of "Lazi-
moss" by William H!Chandle, evoked loud
laughter and his witty utterances were
|
| that the failure of Grant & Ward was duo to
| tho laziness Of Gen. Grant, in not being
| Versed in business
The Forge and tho Forest" descriptive
fantasia was played 30 we'll by the band that
tho audience demanded repetition, which
was given.
Mr.. John Heisy, in very scholarly essay
on mine and Thine" told how easy educa-
ton could be secured, and demonstrated the
| power of economy, for which he was loudly
| applauded and received q number of hand
some floral tributes. ~
Mr.. William Jaeger repeated q cornet solo
three times in response to the loud applause.
The gentlemen's valodictory was delivered
by Mr.. Zera ID. Patterson in clear, we'll
intoned voice. His eulogy Of tho school and
teachers was effective, and his farewell grace
full aud touching.
Miss Kato f. Brown, pretty girl, with
red and white roses at her corsage, and @
sweet, clear voice, delivered tho ladies vale
dictory, which was refined and carefully
studied.
Hush and Follow" xylophone solo, was
demanded and repeated three times, and the
artist who performed il was loaded with
flowers.
Mrs. Spencer looked radiantly happy wher
she turned her face on tho graduates ant
audience. and the words she spoke EXTENDED
good advice and instruction to the former anC
q warm greeting to the latter, She spoke o
her pupils atIectionately, and regretted tha
they were to leave her. There is not one o
them, however," she said "but that can tax
care of his or herself, and they oil 90 fortl
with bright prospect"
Prof. Spencer was prouud of his graduates
) and he said so. The college, he stated, wa
organized eighteen year ago, and 5O7 person
, have graduated from ii, many of whom wer
, in the hall, lie believed that they were al
3 fitted for useful lives, and could maintain
independence through the instructions the
4 had secured in the college.
THE Blue and Gray" descriptive poem
5 was nicely rendered by tho morning class
o and loudly applauded
Y Prof Spencer then said that suffrage wa
abolished in the district twelve years age
0 but that the president Of the board OF com
. missioners was present and would address tn
. boys and award diplomas
0 Commissioner Edmonds smiled when in
troduced, and put his hands behind him. II
said that from tho eloquent and scholarl
n essays delivered he could but SEQ that smar
men and women We're made even out
side of classical schools. lie com
= on the wonderful progress of education in tn
past few years. lie had begun to think,
said, that business colleges were as necessar
; as telephones and bicycles. His speech wa
crisp and witty and he was frequently in
Q tGrrupted by laughter and applause. Ii
d then presented diplomas to the graduate
n attor which tho orchestra played the Lion
o Chase"
|. The graduates were as follows:
o Katie NJ, Brown, valedletorian, Pa; Lily Y
d Bu oh, n. y; Harriet b. Grumpi Ohi9 Claudia
5 s EeaTfsoni 3aIlta!orian, D, c. layinia a. MGGir
= u. q. Jerry 3. Ashburn, Ga; Joseph Bayerd Bios
yG.i James 7. Bogley Md;i ]. Allen Botslcr, D; {
y Edwin l., chandico D, 81 William ii. Chaudle
/. eSsayist, d. C.i leidy s. Depue, d. C., Hem