The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-12

make them your every hour companions.
You are much what your companions
have made you. Everywhere you have
found lines bounding social circles that
forbade your crossing. You have seen
ambitions men and women struggling to
be recognized by what is called the upper
class, but these years of study have equip
ped you with an ability TO look beyond
the floating foam of the known upper
class as the average town to the compan-
ionship of those whom crowned mon
archs would gladly do obeisance. Yes,
these years have made such companion
ships yours and every hour of devoted
study must make them more companion
able This alone more than compensates
for the sacrifices you have made. To one
who has mingled in real life for nearly
half century. the more thought ex>
pended upon this class motto the deeper
the inspiration it exhales-"Do that
which lies next you. Yes. do that which
lies next you and in this free land you
need never lack plenty of work, whole
some food, comfortable clothing, the
best of books, hosts of friends and a
christian home.
These are yours today the gift of
your friends and native land. but if true
TO your motto. tomorrow will keep them
yours because you have earned them.
Your banner advertises you as ready to
accept employment from the kitchen to
the palace, from the day laborer upon
the streets to any place Of greater respon-
sibility. in fact any useful vocation that
you are competent to follow. The senti-
ment is heaven born. and if permitted to
pronounce parting blessing upon a
company whose goings and comings
have been of intense interest TO me for
twelve years, it shall be 10 these words.
May you ever "Do that which lies next
you"
There was girls chorus VALE OF
Rest" with fine solo by Miss Anna L
Schnitger, and the
FUTURE OF THE CLASS
was outlined in an address by Mr.. F. A
Denkman, member of the class of rs
the first that graduated from the Rock
Island high school. Mr.. Denkmar
sought in fitting manner to impress the
graduates that life with them had just
begun. They had Just entered upon &
journey where some would gather rose:
of fortune, while others would bend and
falter meath their burdens as they
travel onward. Now the opportunities
of all were equal. The rich had no ad-
vantage over the poor as they left the
Rock Island high school. Proper appli-
ance of the lessons learned gave all ar
equal opportunity to succeed.
OUR HIGH SCHOOL"
was the topic from which W. Fl Gest
ESQ, delivered one of his pleasing talks.
1t often occurred to the speaker. whether
or not the proper public interest was
taken in the Rock Island public schools,
but he said that when the people gather
together as they have tonight there is
no use IN talking of the interest the PEG,
Pile of this city take in the schools. The
speaker had been pupil ia the schools
of this city He had taught in the
schools of Rock Island, and afterward a
member of the board of education; but
he took a greater interest IN the common
schools of Rock Island now than ever be-
fore. He had children in the schools.
After briefly reviewing the advantages of
the common school system, he said the
high school was the beacon light to
which the pupils in the lower branches
were aiming. But a high school could
not succeed without a teacher, and
the Rock Island high school had as
good teacher as there is in the
state of Illinois, and competent assistants
to help him in his excellent work Al
luding to the building, Mr. Gest sale
be was ashamed of it, and afraid of it
He had an old horse and an old dog. and
he would not lock them up with other
building because he had better places for
them. 1t was Mr. Gest's idea that the
upper story should be abolished and bet
ter means of light and ventilation fur
nished. The safety of the pupils de
manded some measure to enable scholars
to discontinue climbing to The third story
of that old building He had seriously
considered withholding his consent to al
lowing his children to go to school there.
The board of education should be made
to do away with the old concern or the
third story of it, at least A two story
school building should be erected and be
no higher than two stories. As long a,
the present structure stood, the pupils
would be compelled to climb story
higher each year. Twenty five years ago
when he taught there, the first story was
all that was used; atterward the second
was occupied, and now they are up il
the third. The first thing we know
they will be upon the roof, and the mex
year climbing the lightning rod. Mr.
Gest's remarks were warning to tn,
board of education and to tax payers Il
provide other accommodations for tn
higher branches of Rock Island public
schools The present concern is dis
grace to the city and danger to the pu
pills compelled to occupy it.
The orchestra played Tonight we Say
Farewell" which was followed b
THE yALEDICToRy,
delivered by Miss Anna l.. Schnilo
er, the class leader. The valdic
torian stated that the moment had com
when farewell must be said to school.
mates and teachers, and when fon
asanriatinna must no aevarad f,roya,