Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-24
" FOUNDERS DAY"
A Delightful Celebration at tho Ferris
Industrial School on Monday.

Founders Day" was celebrated at
the Ferris Industrial School, Woodside
Farm, Monday afternoon. The greater
number of those present were ladies
but they represented those families best
known in the city for their philanthrop;c
views and practical charity. Among
the gentlemen noticed were the prcsi-
dent of the board of managers, DIR.
Caleb Harlan, j. Taylor Cause, A. D.
Warner, Isaac I. johnson, principal of
Friends School, George Lobdell, ST.,
Secretary Wilmer Palmer, President of
the Levy Court Richard G. Bucking-
ham, the Rev. j. Y. Dobhins, ID. D., r.
Lewis Armstrong, Washington Jones,
Alfred Gawthrop, G. Wesley Weldin,
Joseph w. Ii. Watson, Newport. Lindley
G. Kent, A. Il. Tatum, Enos l.. Doan.
the Rev. Mr. Miller of st. James
Episcopal Church, Stanton, David East
burn, president of Newport Bank, pr.
Henry Morrow, Superintendent II. Il.
Haincs.
The exercises were held in the open
air. President Harlan, Dir. Dobbns,
Principal Isaac T. johnson and others
occupied seats on the piazza, where
table prettily decorated with flowers
was placed for the use of the secretary,
Wilmer Palmer. To the right the 43
wards Of the institution in natty mill
tary blue and brass buttons We're ranged
In rows, while the visitors occupied
chairs on the lawn underneath the cool
shade of the big trees Immediately in
front of the piazza.
Nothing could have been more
delightful than the afternoons exercises
with such pleasant surroundings. 1t is
quite probable there is no such beauti-
fully timbered lawn in this region as
that Of the industrial school, 1t is
greatly improved in the last year or
two. Its remarkable natural beauty has
been developed with most excellent
good taste.
The exercises were opened with
prayer by DR.. Dobbins. DIR. Harlan
then made an address. lie made special
allusion to the work accomplished by
Americas leading philanthropists,
Stephen Girard, Johns Hopkins and
George Peabody, and added the name
of John Ferris Of Wilmington to the
list. He reminded the audience that the
number Of boys at present interned in
the institution is far from the list await
ing entrance to the industrial school,
The institution needs much more dormi-
tory accommodation and greater school
room facilities. The managers are i'm
peded in their work by the need of funds
in order to carry on the purposes of the
school,
AT the close OF DIR. Harlan's address a
quartet Of the scholars gave vocal rem
dition in delightful harmony. A colored
lad took the bass. The treble, tenor and
alto each sang their parts with an effect
almost beyond criticism. The sweet
ness OF the harmony took the audience
by storm.
The Ferris memorial address was
made by the principal of the Friends
School, Isaac I. Johnson. He gave an
extremely interesting historical paper. on
the life Of Wilmington's largest private
bcnefactor. The story of the remark
able career of John Ferris was replete
with incidents which doubtless were of
pointed interest to the speakers juvenile
listeners,
Following some more delightful sing
/ ing by the school quartet, Secretary
Pllmerintroduced the Rev. DR.. j. Y Dob
bins of Grace NJ. i. Church. He said
there is nothing since his coming to
Wilmington that has taken such strong
hold on his personal sympathies, with
the exception, perhaps, of his own
church. than this Ferris Industrial
School. He believed it was wise move
TO change the name from the reform
school to the industrial. II relieves the
lads from an unnecessary and gratui.
tous stigma. DR.. Dobbins paid most
eloquent tribute to the memory of the
founder, John Ferris. He had incar.
mated himself in the walls of the institu.
ton. John Ferris needs no pillared
marble. His name is enshrined in re.
spect and lasting honor among the
people of this community. The speaker
took opportunity to inspire the pupils
with the fact of the dignity of labor and
ot the propriety of the law that every,
one, people OF all stages in life, should
be possessed with the blessing of the
knowledge of some trade.
DIR. Dobbins' address was closed amid
the most pronounced applause.
Mr. Tatum then offered the following
set of resolutions;
In view of the crowded condition of the
dormitories of the Ferris industrial School
and the inability of the managers 10 tax,
additional boys, it is apparent to all that
the usefulness Of the institution will bt
cnrtailed until enlarged quarters are pro
yidcd therefore, be it
ReSoiped, That the household committe,
who have inaugurated the services Of
Founders Day, be requested to take i'm
mediate steps toward raising the sum o.
$1,000 by voluntary contributions from
the friends of the institution and tn,
benevolent people in our community
with which to erect an additional bnildinl
to contain school room and dormitorie
for the accommodation of the boys VIII,
shall be committed to our care in tn
future and be it
hesotved further, That the managers o
this institution in view of the increase,
expense Of providing for larger family
apply to the Legislature for State aid, ais
to the City Council Of Wilmington TO
annual assistance, and to the Levy Cour
of New Castle county for an increase il
their annual appropriation.
Gathered here to-day as we are to shoy
our respect for the memory of John Ferris
the founder of this institution, we can d
SO IN no more appropriate manner thai
by taking up his work and carrying /
forward with enlarged liberality to insur
the fullest measure of success attainablt
The resolutions were passed and tn
accomplishment of their intent hande
over to the care of the House committee
j, Taylor Cause promised the chair
man that the matters covered by tn
resolutions would not be neglected.
The exercises were then brought /
a close with the benediction by ID
Dobbins.
The visitors then examined the builc
! ing from top to bottom. In the thir
| story the boys dormitory were foun
! critically clean and neat. The prett
| iron bedsteads and white bed linen a
/ tracted general attention, as did also IL
fact that several Of the beds were in Ii
S Railways. This is on account of an il
,iot.. 20 Il Ia a