San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-05-02
PUBLIC SCHOOL THUNDER FROM
Dedication Of the New Public School
RnIldIng.
Palestine Advocate,

Dedication OF the New Public schOol
Building.
Palestine Advocate,
The new public school building OF
Palestine, which was recently CON
pleted, was formally dedicated on
! wednesday night, April 10, with up
propriate ceremonies, followed by
stirring addresses. The GuditCriuu
was filed to overlooking. Services
commenced by the whole audience
singing the doxology, praise Coz
from whom all blessings flow, pro
ducing a SPLENDID mHsica! effect
This was followed by an address
from j. j. Word, Esq, mayor elect
whose thoughts if not verbatim, were
something rs folloSs:
The citizens tonight are brought
to realize the successful completion
OF this grand educational work, be
gun one year since, and now standing
O monument Of the earnest wishes
and noble exertIons OF this commnn-
ity. The keys had been delivered
over to him BY Mr., Geo, A Wright,
tho contractor, having fG!tii'ed every
requirement, which ut first appeared
beyond his power. and financially has
exceeded by $500 the orgnn! con
tract. The contractor deserves the
highest praise ior the manner Ill
which his obligations have been car
ried out, and the memory Of his con-
scientious acts in behalf OF the public
schools will be carried down to sue
ceeding generations
In response to the preceding adj
dress, Mr. Geo. A. Wright stated that
work on the building vas began July
IA, 1888, and although great care
had been made in calculations, more
money had been expended than the
contract called for, as has been made
known by the architecto Messrs. Dud-
ley q, Dodson, of Waco, who will tell
you that every part of the contract
has been complied with. The citi-
zens have reason to be proud of this
bailding, which from the foundation
to the pinnacle has been built under
his eye and supervision. The trus-
tees, who have done everything in
their power to render this building
success, could not not have another
similar one erected for less than ST.
500, or $4,000 more thln the previous
contract Mr. Wright stated that
the sum expended would fall short of
payment, but he did not regret the
loss, believing the realization of hav-
ing done this work would be treGsur-
cd in memory to the latest day OF his
life.
Mr.. Wright was followed by Dr.
Dodson, who stated that every obi
gation had been well fulfilled to the
letter of contract, and closed by COM
plimenting Nj. Wright on the excel
ence of the work and CONSCIENTIOUS
manner in which it had been perform
ed.
Report from the secretary was next
read, received aud adopted, after
which oz Mayor Lacy presented some
eloquent remarks, saying that he was
sworn into his late Office on April Il,
1883, and at that time 500 children
were i'll the Palestine public schools,
in rooms not accommodating 800.
After the proposition for construct
ing the house WAS delivered to the
city council, it was held thirty days,
and reported back impracLicable.
Knowing the imperative need of suit
able school facilities, the council met
in the old rooms and asked if auo-
Their frame building could not be
erected. Aids. Dlley and Anderson
believing there was then chance to
start, and after making their wishes
known, the citizens were surprised to
learn that q majority Of the t@x-pay-
ars favored the enterprise. Mr.. Lacy
said Mr.. Wright had discharged his
obligations perfectly, and now we
behold the realization OF our fondest
wishes. A gentleman who had travel
cd extensively, said no city the size OF
Palestine conld show IL better help to
education. The tax is small, ten
cents on the 500, and the sum eZ-
pended will rebound to the public
benefit of Palestine. He hoped the
new mayor would push forward this
work 1T will be lasting compliment
to the city. Hereafter when the
question is asked, "What kind Of
schools are there in your city?' the
people will be proud to answer, and
get TO realize that they do not feel
the position IL burden, for the debt
will be paid in twenty years and so
gradually eliminated that the taxation
cannot be excessive. Alike with the
former speakers Mr.. Lacy's remarks
were greeted by applause.
Hon. \. ", Gregg next recnived
the keys and said: He who loves
his fellow men, loves God. The
morality and virtue of community
is pointed out by its churches and
schools. In this work he congratulate
ed the council and press that in spite
OF opposition they have kept pace With
the progress of the day. 1t was well
they had the courage to put forward
the enterprise. 10 the mayor and
all present sincere thanks were eX-
tended Tor their share IN the labors.
II ishcl.oYed that the superintendent,
to whom Is .utrusted the care of the
binding. Will hold itas a scored trust.
while ue seeks to develop the mental