The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-24
GORMAM NORMAL SCHOOL.

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GORHAM NORMAL SCHOOL.
Graduating Exercises of the Senior GLASS
-Geverner Robie Awards the Dipiomas
and Makes an Able Address-s-rsrzn-
kenaent Laee's Rsmarks.
Yesterday was nearly perfect day. and at
an carly hour q large throng OF visitors had
gathered at Normal Hall to witness the grsdu-
alton exercises Of the senior class. After the
reading Of the Scriptures prayer was offered BY
the Rev. T, F. Jones, pastor Of the NJ. u.
Church, which was followed by singing by
the school led by Mr.. w. L. Fitch OF Portland.
The first part on the programme had been az
signed to Miss Carrie A. Shaw, whose death
occurred after the printing was done. In ex-
planning this to the audience Mr.. Corthell
spoke very feelingly. "She who was to utter
the first Good Morning is no longer with us.
Her voice is silent now. She who was one of
the brightest Of her class, lovely in person,
lovely in mind. loved by her teachers az sis-
ter, daughter, a friend, loved by her class
mates as dear companion, has laid down her
life work and taken up that OF the ever pref
ent Eternal; but though absent from our midst
today never will her sweet memory and infiu-
ence be abssnt from our minds"
The second "Good Morning" by Miss josie
O. Balentins was q wsll-written part, humor
GUS at times, ami clearly and forcibly dsliv
cred.
roIIou;ng g tho "a ~dipo uos &ba Axap,}na tiay,
Of the class In didactics by state superintsnd-
ent N. A. Luce, who pre- faced his examination
by few appropriate remarks. The questions
which Mr.. Luce submitted were very search
ing and subjected the class to rigid test in
which, however, they acquitted themselves
with honor.
After music by the school, came the "An-
mails, Real" by Miss Winnifred Griggs, which
was excellently written, full of witty points
and well read. The "Annsls, Real" recounted
the entire history of all the members of the
class from their admission until graduation.
To Miss Annie Pillrbury was assigned the
Annals, Ideal," kind of second chapter of
the ANNALS, Real, and written in imitation
OF the scriptural style. Miss Pillsbury's part
was very humorous and we'll delivered.
In the Future Fate, Real" Miss Brown
looked with prophetic eye down What DR..
Holmes calls the Backyard of time,'' and
foretold the probable future of each
OF her classmates. II Miss Brown really pos
sesses the spirit of prophecy, the history of her
class twenty years hence will read like ro-
nance. The part was read with distinct
ness which made listening pleasure.
In the Future Fate, Ideal" Miss Fickett
sought to foretell what kind of future such
ought to have. Tho part displayed fertile
imagination, and much humor.
The poem by Miss Lord showed poetioal
power in no ordinary degree, and would bring
NO discredit on 9 much more practicsd writer.
Its subject was Christ's stilling the tempest on
the Sea of Gslilee.
In awarding the diplomas to the class Gov.
Robie made some very excellent remarks.
GOV RoBIE's ADDRESS
In commencing the Governor complimented
the exercises and the teachers of the school
highly Continuing, he said Maine had by
the last census only about three per cent. of
illiteracy, that is, of persons who can neither
read nor write, while South Carolins had some
tVAey-CASAb poi COhe VI lll1tcihCys NcnIlI tuo-
half of South Carolinas population cannot
read nor write, while in Maine only about
three In hundred are found so deficient. This
difference in illiterscy shows the difference in
estimation in which the common schools have
been held in the two States. The stability OF
our institutions and the prosperity of our
country depend largely upon the intelligence
OF Its people, and to promote this needed In
telligence Maine is doing her full share. There
is no class Of people on whom the future of our
country is so dependent as upon the teachers
Of our youth. As president of the board OF
trustees, welcome you as teachers Of our
youth. There should be desire and effort on
your part to exemplify, by the results of per-
sonal work, the public advantages Of this insti-
tuition, so that the State may see aud under
stand its power and efficiency in pro-
noting popular education, and accord
ingly cheerfully bear the burdens of tax
necessary to sustain our Normal schools. You
can show by your management of the several
under your instruction enjoy superior advsnt-
ages. The public need practical enlighten-
ment in regard to our Normal school methods
of instruction. None should feel greater int
crest than the alumni Of this and similar insti-
tutions. / have no fear Of the results.
A feeling of sadness comes over me as l re-
call the recent loss of one of your number,
Miss Carrie A. Shaw, and notice the vacant
chair before me. She was gifted and lovely,
and has been early called to higher fields of
usefulness-and her sweet "good morning"
comes to us from the surroundings Of higher
life.
One Of the greatest statesmen of this country
as-the late William n. Seward. No man
did more for the anti-slavery cause than he
during the remarkable decades between is4o
pie sentence which will be read and endorsed
during all future time-"He was faithful"
These are mportant words.
Graduates and pupils Of this school, be faith
full to yourselves and our honored State.
Gov. Robbie was followed by Mr.. N. A. Luce
whose remarks were brief and to the point.
suYr. Luczs REMARKS.
Young ladies, ] congratulate you on enter
ing the ranks OF the six hundred trained teach
ers Of Maine, and 1 likewise congratulate the
six hundred on this new accession to their
numbers. There is no class Of workers in
Maine more earnest, more faithful and more
self sacrificing than these trained teachers, nor
who are producing more beneficial results than
they. There is still prejudice in many parts
OF the State against normal school teachers,
and this prejudice arises chiefly from those
who are teaching, bat have never had normal
school instruction. You must do your work
so well and faithfully as to break down this
prejudice and show the superiority of trained
teachers over the unframed. At the same
time your work must be done SO modestly and
unassnmingly that your fellow teao hers will
not feel that you hold them in contempt. In
short each normal school graduate must be q
kind o. educational missionary"
After singing the class song the "Good Bye"
was read by Miss Goodwyne. Her part was
well written and we'll read, and her tribute to
her dead class mate was very touching.
The exercises closed with benediction by
Rev. T. f. Jones.
The Maine JaiIs.
The inspectors of the jaiis and prisons Of
the State, In their annual report, make the fol-
lowing general observations on the condition
of thaaa inRtitutiona.