Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-17
THE WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT APRIL IT. 1888

THEY BID FAREWELL 70 SCHOOL High school Graduation Exercises Largely Attended at City Hall.
 The class of '88 of the Waterbury high school bowed their adieu to school life at 1 city hall last evening before their school mates, teachers, parents and friends. It is seldom that so large an audience is seen in city hall. Every seat was taken and many were compelled to remain standing throughout the exercises. It was after 5 o'clock when the 13 members of the gradu- atinz class filed in and took seats behind . row of potted plants. The young ladies were attired in white, and each wore a corsage bouquet. The young men wore dark suits, with the class badge on the lapel of their coats Seated back ot the graduating class was chorus from the high school, James Lane presiding at the piano and Prof Wolcott directing. The exercises were opened with two selections, Praise of Singing" by John ". Tafts, and s"rhe Happy Peasants by Schumann. Edward R. French delivered the saluta- tory in clear voice that could be heard in every corner of the hall. An es- say Ci "A Bronson AlcCtt,' who was born in Wolcott in 17&:;, was read by Miss Nel- lie 4. Brown, who gave very interesting sketch of the philosophers life. Walter l L. Frisbie spoke upon civil service reform, and advocated the new system of filling political offices which, he claimed, opened them to the public.
 The chorus sang very creditably ''The Night is Advancing" John J. McGivney 1 following with an oration on the fisheries question, which was delivered in very clear and forcible manner. He reviewed the various treaties with Great Britain since 17S3. The controversy had not arisen | through any misconstruction of the treaty. The remedy the speaker advocated was re- taliation. Miss Clara NJ. Toucey read an essay on the great telescope on Mount Hamilton, giving graphic and interesting description of the conservatory and the big telescope. Miss Toucey has clear voice, and is an excellent reader. Her enunci- ation is particularly good, and she possesses an easy and graceful manner Miss Tou- cey was followed by Charles Engelke and Fred Partridge with papers the tariff, the former advocating free trade and the l latter protection.
 The chorus sang ''The Wood Thrush, " l eliciting loud applause. The class made no mistake when they chose Miss Mary E. Fitzpatrick to write the class history. It of course had peculiar interest to the mem bers of the class and school, but the hits were oftentimes appreciated by the audi ence and greeted with applause. Her ren- dition had much to do with making this pleasant feature of the programme.
 Francis ?. Brett followed with an ora tion on Volapuk. He showed some of the advantages of the language, but agreed with the opinion of prominent philologists that 1t would never be universally used James J. McAvoy read the class poem; which abounded in hits that were highly appreciated by mem mbers of the school. Miss Alice B. Carr read very meritorious essay upon the present system of taxation, which was replete with originality Miss 1 Margaret T. Breen's essay as to the best method of reducing the surplus was a mas terly paper for young woman, showing question that is troubling the two great po- litical parties. Miss Nellie E. Carrolrs class prophecy was full of interesting predictions, which were especially enjoyed by the twelve young graduates. The pro gramme was varied at this point with a selection by the chorus, Edward R. French following with oration on ''Motion by Electricity" It ranked among the best efforts of the class. The speaker said that the idea of motion by electrity was first suggested in 1882 by Dr Schulthess, and put into practical use by Prof Jacobi two years later. The beginning of our modern electric street railways was made in 1860, when Prof Page ran car by an electro motor. Great progress in motion by elec- tricity was made during the next twenty years, due to the introduction of the dynamo, thus supplying cars with elec- tricity at distance without the cumber- some fluid batteries. Electric railroads are now operated in New York, Brooklyn, Denver, Chicago, Ansonia, Meriden and many other cities The speaker imagined returning to Waterbury after an absence of fifty years, and finding the railway trains, cabs and horse cars running by electricity, hotels lighted hy the incandescent lights, orders for meals sent to the kitchen and meals served to him by the same means. It was perhaps stretching matters little, but the speaker made a good point, and it was appreciated by the audience.
 John l. McGivney, delivered the valedic- tory address. It was avery creditable pro duction for young man. Applause was bestowed upon the graduates without stint and at the conclusion they received pro- fusion of floral tributes. The Rev R. w. Aiicou of the board of education presented the diplomas. He said he was pleased with the exercises and was agreeably surprised that so difficult subjects should be so ably treated. The exercises he said had sug- gested to him public exhibition annually The exercises closed with selection by the chorus.
 Prof Crosby was untiring in his efforts to make the occasion pleasant one for the parents and friends of the pupils, and in this he was successful. It surpassed anything of the kind in the history of the school.
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