Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-16
TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING.
Six Young Ladies' Equipped for Noble
Work.

GRADUATES OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR
NURSES RECEIVE THEIR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By PRESIDENT BLoUNT, REPRESENTATIVE HEN
DERsoN AND OTHERS.
Six young ladies fully equipped with pro-
fessional training for their life-work occupied
seats last evening upon the platform in the
large lecture room Of the Columbian Univer-
sity. They received no degree and read no
essays, but wearing the simple yet attractive
costume Of trained nurses they listened to the
addresses that were made upon the nobility
and self-sscrifce of the profession of a nurse
and then they received their diplomas. The
occasion was the annual commencement ex-
ercises Of the Washington Training School for
Nurses. Since 1877, when the school was
founded, it has been sending out the gentle
white-capped nurses to bring comfort and re-
lief to the bedside of suffering. Since the
school was established the necessity for and the
advantages of trained nurses have passed be-
yond the range of argument. The importa
OF the mission of the school is recognized and
the men and women who have given freely Of
their time and money to establish it here in
this city are realizing the reward that comes
from duty well performed. Opposite the
group OF whIte-capped graduates on the stage
were the members Of faculty, as follows: DR.
g. N. Acker. DR.. H. L. E. johnson, DIR. G.. B.
Harrison, DIR. I. Z. McArdle, DR.. NJ. F. Cuth-
bert, Dr.. s: s. Adams, DR.. G. Wythe Cook.
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Parker, Mr.. Thomas Wilson and
other members Of the board Of trustees of the
training school also occupied seats on the
stage. In the rear an orchestra was stationed
which rendered musical selections during the
evening. Tables covered with beautiful flowers
were in charge Of a committee of ladies, and
after the graduates had received sheir diplomas
each was presented with a floral tribute. A
large and interested audience listened to the
addresses and evinced by their presence their
interest in this institution.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT BLoUNT.
The exercises Of the evening were begun
with a thoughtful address by the president of
the school, Mr.. Henry F. Bount He spoke of
the advantages which this city offered for
school of this character. The pupils, he said,
not only enjoyed the benefits of lectures from
experienced physicians but they were enabled
to see the practical application of what was
taught IN the general and special hospitals
which were in this city. He was of the opinion
that the capital ought to become the center for
a school OF this kind from which trained nvrses
could go out to practice their calling in all parts
OF the country. He spoke of what had been
accomplished by this school in the thirteen
years Of its existence, and commented upon
the fact that its support was due entirely
to the public spirit and benevolence Of the
had come when the usefulness of the school
might be enlarged, and in order to accomplish
this 1t should receive aid from the public funds
An examination of the objects and aims of the
school would convince any mind that it was
properly the subject for aid on the ground that
| 1t was public charity.
CHEERING WORDS FROM REPRESENTATIVE HEN
DERsoN.
A bright, interesting address was given by
Representative Henderson of Iowa. He
thought that the fact that the nursing Of the
sick had been raised to the dignity of
science was one Of the evidences Of the
progress made by the world He spoke Of the
school as providing another avenue through
which women might become self-supporting.
He paid beautiful tribute to the character
and influence Of women, and said that the
world was better as the range Of her activities
were extended He condemned the idea that
marriage was the end of every woman's
ambition, and said that the opportunities pre-
sented to her for the exercise her talents ought
to be free from restrictions of every charac-
ter The vocation Of nurse, in his opinion, called
for ability Of the highest order, and her minis
trations at the bedside Of the sick could only
be hkened to the love and devotion displayed
by mother. The services rendered by the
members of the board Of trustees and of the
faculty. without compensation, was one Of the
things, the speaker said, which commended the
Institution to his favor. 1t was his appreciation
OF the blessings Whlch good nurse c0nfers, as
he had found by experience in the late war
and the noble work which this institution was
doing, that had induced him to consent to be
present on this occasion. He was glad to be
able to show by his presence and words his in
terest in the work, and he hoped that Congress
would give the institution its sanction and sup
port He then addressed to the members Of
the graduating class few words of practical
advice.
THE GRADUATES RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES.
President Blount then conferred certificates
upon the following-named graduates: Martha
Brooke Bright Of Indiana, Altha L. Emmert of
Maryland, Corinne Lowe Of Maryland, Mary
Emma Walmsey OF Maryland, Mary A. Carter
of the District of Columbia and Sallie c. Turner
Of Pennsylvania. All the graduates we're pres
ent with the exception Of Miss Emmert, who
has already entered upon her life-work at the
head Of al institution
AN ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS.
After a selection was played by the orchestra
DR.. George Byrd Harrison, on behalf of the
faculty, made an address to the graduating
class which was full of practical suggestions.
He emphasized the fact that the nurse should
have a high appreciation of her duties and in