The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-02-06
THE SEVENTH FOUNDERS DAY.

THE SEVENTH FOUNDERS DAY.
Horace Staples, the venerable founder
of Staples high school and president of
the Westport national bank, celebrated
his Goth birthday, Saturday, January 81,
at high school building. Notwithstand-
ing his great age, Mr. Staples enjoys re-
markable health and continues to dis
charge promptly and efficiently all duties
devolving upon him as president of the
bank, including a semi-weekly visit to
New York, regardless of weather. The
deafness with which he has been afflicted
for years appears to give him little con-
conversation by means of the ear trum-
pet, without which he is never found.
The days exercises began at noon with
an informal reception by Mr. Staples, af-
ter which bountiful and most enjoyable
dinner was served in the rooms below.
Two long tables were set, with Mr.
Staples at the head of one and Principal
Pratt at the other. Grace was said by
Rev Mr. Backus. The press was repro
sented by A. Ii. Byington of the Ga
zette, f. H. Nash of the New York Her
aid, j. S. Jones of the Westporter, w. X.
Naples of the Hour, r. C. Malette of the
BEE.
In beginning the afternoon exercises in
the assembly hall, which was prettily
ornamented with flags and filled to over.
flowing with people, the opening hymn,
Come, thou Almighty King was sung
by all. The stage was occupied by MI
Staples, Revs a. n. Lewis, Davies, Me-
Wis, Still, Hyde, Backus, Prof BARLEY of
Bridgeport high school, w. j. Jennings,
Alonzo Staples, Horace Iellifle, w. G.
Staples and, over it, was hung a fine pic
master of ceremonies, discharging his
duties acceptably. Rev Thomas A. Hyde
of Christ church read from Proverbs III,
ID, and was followed by Rev ii. S. Still
of the Methodist church in brief prayer.
The rest of the program was followed as
printed, save that, in the absence of Miss
M. G. Albee, her address of copgratula-
ton to Mr. Staples on behalf of the school
was read by Fred E. Toquet, who, in the
name of the school, presented him with
a handsome clock. Special mention
should be made of the dialogue, SPIN
ming wheel and piano." in which u girls
took part, "Aunt Polly" and "Mrs Stan
ley being particularly good. An an
ctn ha
to illustrate this. Eleven of the larger
boys of the school took part in the de-
bate on the justification of civilized ma
tions in taking lands belonging to saw
ages. The piano duet by Misses Boyce
and Sherwood was admirably accompan-
led by Miss Monte Smith with clappers.
The program:
Opening hymn.
Reading of Scriptures.
Prayer.
CXII psalm.
Reading, "a liberal education" Miss L. D.
Gorham.
Dialogue, "Spinning wheel and piano."
Piano solo, Military galop, Misses "Boyee
and Sherwood, accompanied by Miss Monte
Smith with clappers. "a string of pearls"
Song, Wanderers farewell" school chorus.
Debate Question, Resolved, That civilized
nations are justified in seizing and occupying
lands occupied by savages.''
Address of congratulation to Mr. Staples,
Miss M. c. Albee, read by Fred e. Toquet.
Address of congratulation to the founder,
Rev Henry Davies.
Response by the founder, Mr. Horace Staples.
Hymn, Fading, still fading school chorus.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Benediction.
Miss Albee's address was a pleasantly
expressed letter of congratulation voic-
ing the sentiments of the school in CIV
ing heartfelt thanks to Mr. Staples for the
educational advantages which they are
enabled to enjoy through his generosity.
The presentation of the clock was a
pleasant feature of this address, Rev
Henry Davies of Green's Farms had been
s elected to deliver the address of con-
graduation to the founder. Coming, as
he said, as an unmarried man, he had
been chosen to speak before man twice
married. Quoting Latin proverb, ga
sound mind is sound body" Mr. Davies
said that wealth, in the hands of such
men as Mr. Staples, the worthy founder,
was not menace but a blessing; wealth
Is always a blessing when eonsecrated TO
the good of others, as Mr. Staples had
his. Universities were com
ing under the protecting care of indiyid-
uals more and more, instead of, as for
merly, being supported by many persons
at the same time; a wider theory of edu-
cation was obtaining. To educate, in the
true meaning of the word, is to lead forth
and develop, not to stuff in. Not merely
such knowledge as might be obtained
from text books was instilled into the
minds Of the pupils, but the will, the in
tellect and even the physical part Of our
nature was being educated. He was
proud to say that he was fond of all man
ly athletic sports and that the clergy ia
general was more and more recognizing
the fact that long faces and lean bodies
were no longer signs of piety; that ath-
letic exercises were coming into general
favor. Turning to the ladies, he said,
Ladies, take care of your bodies. Walk.
Ride. Run. Play tennis. Be in the
open air as much as possible AS a
passing suggestion, he thought the best
way to aid the purpose for which this
school was founded was to extend it's In