The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-07
READY FOR OCCUPANCY.
Dedication OF One OF the Finest High
y School Buildings In the Country.
Speeches By Prominent Citizens,
Among Whom Are Ex-Governor
Porter, J. W. Holcomb, Professor
w a. Bell and May
or McMaster.

dedicated last night, and more than GOO
people assembled to witness the exercises,
which were of q very interesting character.
The building, q lengthy description OF
which has been given heretofore, was brill
ziss tly lighted from top to bottom, and
large number of persons were wandering
zhro0eh the lower halls IS early as o'clock,
AZ which time the doors were thrown open.
The crowd was not admitted to the large
md elegant assembly ball on the second
floor until nearly O'Clock. Ushefs were in
attendance to seat every body, and four real
live policemen we're stationed at the door TO
prevent q crush. This spacious and well
ventilated room, with a seating capacity OF
over half a thousand, was brilliantly
lighted and andsomely decorated with flags
end bunting. On either side of the platform
were large urns. containing exquisite hot
house plants and flowers. a number of
sea on the north side of the room had been
reserved for graduates and about 100 of them
were in attendance. all wearing badges.
About. o'clock the School Board accom-
panied By Ex-Governor Porter President
Brown, OF the State Normal, Hon. J. W.
Helcomb. Superintendent OF Public Instruc'
ton, and many others fled into the room
fod took seats on the platform. After an
overture hy Miller's orchestra prayer was of
deEtd By Rev. n. a. Hyde. School Com mis-
Foner Bingham then introduced DR.. Bro W.
1ug President OF the School Board, who
MA &c q few appropriate remarks concerning
abe binding. He said that they had done
every thing to contribute 10 the health OF the
pupils while onhned in the school rooms
He was OF the opinion that no city in the
Union could boast OF a more substantial
High School building, and hoped that the
dedication would awaken in the people
iivelier appreciation OF the school system Of
Indianapolis
superintendent Jones then read number
Df letters and notes from persons who we're
unable TO be present, including Governor
Gray, Austin III. Brown, G.. c. Hines y. Z.
Barnard aud A. l.. Roach.
Miss Emily T. Bingham was next intro
GUcsd, and delivered very interesting adj
dress relative to the excellency OF the school
system OF Indianapolis. Miss Bingham said
that the new High School building was the
equal, If not the superior, Of any similar
structure in the United States.
Mayor MoMsster thhen delivered brief
address, in which he said it gave him pleas
nre to step aside from the WhiTl OF business
and participate in this dedication. The
speaker then dTeit upon the advantages OF
free education. saying thst when the edu-
Gated youth stepped forth TO fill q mans part
ne was in duty bound to become a law-abid-
nent never come. ne said, from the ks of
the educated, but were IN nine cases out OF
ten illiterate.
The Mayor was followed By Hon. J. W.
HolcCmb, who, in the course of his remarks,
xaid il would not be doubted that the aver
rye taxpayer could have his children edu-
Gated cheaper IL the public schools than Ia
The private institution. Ignorance and
poverty, he said were insepsrsble.
Ignorance was the road to poverty
while intellect was the way to competence.
IL vas great privilege to live in a culti-
waited community. Mr.. HOlcomb said that,
while many admitted the need of free
schools, they doubt the right OF society to
support the High School. The speaker then
dwelt at great length upon the benefits to De
derived from q High School and concluded
by seylL that Ii was both essential 70 the
city and the dignity Of the citizens.
The MasnnerchOr Eociety was present,
and rendered some very excellent vocal
music, which was appreciated By the audit
erce Judging from the hearty encore which
they received.
Professor W. A. Bell. member of the
School Board and editor of the School Jour
nal, then delivered an address, reviewing
Abe work OF the High School since il was or
ganlzed IN 1853, under the principalship Of
u. +. Cole. 1t was closed in 1858, owing.to
Judge Perkins decision affecting the sup
port OF the Public Schools and opened in
1864 with the speaker as principal. The
present site was purchased in 1872 and the
old building wss declared unsafe in April
1874, and abandoned Immediately after
While the present building was being con.
ssrUcted high school Was held in the
easements OF Roberts Park and Ne.
Tidian Street Churches. IN the course
OF his remarks Professor Bell said
tnst 59i pupils had graduated since
1874. IL had been said t1at ii was the
school Tor the rich mans son. The speaker
81 "a Qraa frna md m -
Re Tssd some figures which ne had recently
compiled showing that 81 per cent. Of the
parents Of High School pupils paid taxes on
Jess than 500 GO per cent on less than 500,
- on less than $1,000 and 81 per cent. on
less than So 600. The High School, he said
was the POOR mans college, and was worth
ten times what IL cost. Said the speaker in
conclusion. "May this school and its sister
on the South Side ever Il and as monuments
OF the wisdom and intelligence OF this good
city"
Professor Bell was followed by Eugene
Krieder, representative CO the alumni OF
the High School, whose address was very
brief and interesting.
Ex-Governor Porter was then introduced.
He said chat nothing new could be said upon
the subject Of education. yet large audiences
assembled 10 hear speeches relative thereto.
The speaker said that we often heard OF the
great school fund OF Indiana. 1t was none
100 large, he said, and would amount q
noIhlng were it not for the school
fsx. There was no tax, however, that
1he people paid so cheerfully. II was be
cause they believed that the fund had been
carefully managed. IL the High School ever
failes. il would be because its object would
net be appTehended. The High School was
not brought into existence merely for the
purpose OF preparing boys for. college. Ii
vas q school for the ambitious boy. fitting
him for The practical walks Of life. Mr.. POr.
ter concluded with complimentary refer
snce TO Professor Grant, saying that to him
lie city ed an obligation.
The exercises came TO conclusion with
addresses BY Professor A. g. Shortridge sud
Professor George 2. Brown, President oil the
tate Normal.