Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-06-26
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The Commencement Exer'
cises Held Yesterday.
NAMES OF THE GRADUATES
An Address By President Pomeroy-
The Literary Exercises.
Bright Scholars.

after 9 o'clock, for a fashionably -attired
audience, in which the female sex was
largely in the majority, had the building
filed to overfowing soon after the doors
were thrown open. The attraction was
the fifteenth annual commencement ex'
ercises of the Los Angeles High School,
and it was therefore certain that an ex-
cellent afternoons entertainment would
be presented. On the stage was grouped
the graduates, members OF the
Board of Education, the faculty
of the High School and
it's well-trained orchestra, the members
of which, Messrs. Pemberton, Stevens,
Norman, Martin, Fred Martin and the
Misses Hubbard, Brousseau and Otis,
opened the programme with an excellent
rendition of Bennet's Dawn OF Sun
light"
Then came the Introductory remarks
by Mr.. A. +. Pomery, President OF the
Board of Education, who spoke as fol-
lows:
PRESIDENT PoMERoY's SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-We extend to you a
cordial greeting to the exercises tnls aIternoon,
We appreciate your manifest interest," IN the
cause Of education, and in the success of those
who instruct and those who furnish the faclll-
ties for instruction. know you join with us
in congratulating these young ladles
and gentlemen who, today, complete the course
of study in the highest department of our com
mon schools, and W no will now receive the re-
ward for their years of patient toll and earnest
application. The depoma of the High School Is
and should be an honor to its possessor. and
ought to be an open passport to the
freshman Glass of any college, or uni
yersity in our state thar shes
and believe that notwithstanding the want OF
proper accommodation and facilities, our High
School, in its course of study, In It's methods
and results, compares most favorably with any
am glad to be able to announce that. after
a thorough and rigid examination ana personal
visitation by six of the Professors OF the
state University the records of our High
School graduates have been approved, and that
our High school now stands on the same foot
ing, and entitled to equal honors,w Oakland,
Alameda, Berkeley, San Francisco, sacramento
and stockton.
AS have glanced over the reports Of previous
Boards of Education, and noticed the
names of former graduates of our High School
who now fill with honor the highest stations In
society, and in professional and business life
have been profoundly impressed tnat our com ON
cess, and is worthy of the hold II mas IN the
heart and affections of our American people. 1t
is in the homes and in our common school sys-
tenn that the hopes of future liberty and happi.
ness of our State and Nation are centered, an
we have no patience with those VINO would
destroy our free educational system:
The past year has been one OF marked
changes, as far as Boards of Education are
concerned. By reason of the adoption OF the
new City Charter, we have had three different
Boards during the year. Notwithstanding all
this, there has been the highest degree of har.
mony everywhere and the schools have main
tanned high standard OF excellence IN their
. 1, haa hn 70 N
aim to select teachers on account of their capa-
bility and success in teaching. Personal appli'
cation. as well as recommendations. have been
required. and no claims OF sympatay s,, on ms as
lowed to control an appointment. The teach
ers are rated, and those who do not come up TO
the standard are not retained: me w Wh9ie 9n
partment Is about $50.
The greatest trouble we have experienced
during the past year has been the want OF
have built six new school houses (four OF four
rooms each, and two of two rooms each), we
have only made beginning OF what is aDso-
lutely required. The last school census re-
ported 10.7s6 children in our city between
the ages of and II years, almost as many as
the entire population of the city OF Los Angeles
at the last national census. OF these chlldren
S,146 are enrolled on the books of the depart.
ment and there is an average attendance OF
between $500 and 5000. Our city has grown
20 rapidly that funds could not be raised to
meet the wants OF the school department, and
10 sccommodate the vast body of scholars II has
been necessary to limit them to halliday ses
sions We have sixty-slx schools with over
attendance. to whom we could only give
half days instruction. This is serious wrong
to the children, the parents. the teachers and
the community generally. Previous boards have
tried to remedy the matter, and SlO0 900
of school bonds were authorized to be
issued, but could not be sold on account OF
their illegality. The present Board OF Educa-
tion has taken the matter earnestly ia hand,
and has made estimates of the cost OF suitable
lots and plans for new buildings ana OF addi-
tions to the present buildings high school
building worthy of the name is contemplated,
and p. ans and Specifications for same have al
ready be- en- adopted. All these Improvements
will take at least 5000 900: In few weeks the
question of the issuance of bonds for this sum
will be submitted to the votes OF our citizens
for their Eapproval. We earnestly hope that
all present will use their lnnnence 10 nave a
the city of Los Angeles, for its credit at
home and repute abroad, to affirm by popular
vote that our children shall be limited to half
day schools, and over. crowded rooms at that.
Our people have the reputation OF being liberal
and progressive, and wide awake to their own
interests, and we cannot afford TO go pacK on
our reputation. Besides, we must make some
little provision for the future. Tne tide OF I'M
migration Is surely coming again, and we are
certain to have steady and enduring grown.
Let us act wisely, and take advantage OF these
comparatively quiet times, when we can pur-
chase property az low rates and build cheaply,
to secure for our School Department suitable
lands and buildings.
In the providential order of affairs Los An.
geles cannot help being great educational
center The colony system of settlement and
the dividing of great tracts OF land, with en-
dowed colleges therein, such as Ontario, San
Fernando, Centinela and tothers have planted
schools of a high order all aronnd us IN our
city. the University of Southern CaIifornla' the
Normal School, the St. Vincent College, the
Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational and other
denominational colleges. all draw their stu.
dents from our common schools, ana we must
lay the foundation of the education OF our
children good and broad. We ask OF you all
your al and help. Give US the means, and we
promise, with an appreciation OF our high ana
sacred trust. to do all that lies in our power to
make our schools in every respect the best In
the State.
cannot close my remarks without express
ing the ihanks OF our Board ior the otner ae;
cordial support and considerate attention to
all our requests The City Council has in every
way assisted us in our work, kindly donating
lands for our High School, and by vote and
ordinance granted us practical aid and sup.
port. The City Attorney has also rendered US
invaluable assistance, and is entitled TO our
heartiest thanks
THE ESSAYS.
A well-worded salutatory by Miss
AGNES Jacobus was next on the list, after
which came the following literary exer-
cises as follows Grafton, Dangers OF
Luxury," Walter F. Haas; oration,
Lights in Natures Gardens" Bert
Foster; overture, "Rhspsodie Hon
proeie" (Liszt), Grace Hubbard and
Mary Mansfield grafton, "The Question
of Great Cities" William l. Stewart;
essay. "Grecian Art" Laura @. Noyes;
Grafton, Laughter. Ira More, Jr.;
violin solo, "Vales'' (Kalleivoda), Chas.
Pemberton; oration,, Following the