The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-29
HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES.
The Class Of 81 Finish the Course
and Receive Their
Diplomas.
A Great Crowd of People Greet
the Fair Orators Of tho
Evening.
Chiof Justice Blake In nm Appeal for tho
Establishment of the Helena
Latin High school.

Chicf Justice Blake In an Appeal for thu
Establishment Of the Helena
Latin High school.
The Methodist Episcopal church wal
crowded to overlooking last night on the
occasion of the graduating exercises of the
GLASS of 81 of the Helena high school
Hattie Pope, Irina Klsinsohmidt, Eva
Miller, Cora Sanders and Mary /. Jockey
The interior of the church presented q
brilliant scene with its lights, 1owers anC
decorations. Eight O'Clock was the houl
set for the commencement of the exercisel
but for all hour before that time people
were constantly streaming in. The gradu.
ates were, Of course, the center of attrac-
ton. They had seats we'll up in front or
the left hand side of the church and were
surrounded with graduates of the high
school of former years. All wore the GUS
tomary white costumes and very pretty and
happy they were. Each was warmly greeted
with a burst Of applause AZ she stepped
upon the platform and delivered her ora
ton. Miss Mary l. Jockey was not present
to share ths honors of the class. She is
now in California but will receive
her diploma. As each graduate
finished her Grafton and took
her seat, two scholars of the
high school literally showered her with
floral tributes presented by proud pa rents
and friends. The o~rations we're very we'll
delivered and gave evidence of the ex-
cellsnt system of instruction in use by the
school. One noticeable feature that char
acterized these effotts was the absence of
any attempt in the way OF f1owsry language.
The trend of thought revealed the fact that
these bright young people have done much
thinking for themselves on the questions
OF the present day and which are made the
subjects of essays in reviews.
s.. 9. Fitzpatrick, the president of the
board of education, was taken i'll yesterday
and could not bs present to award the dip
Tomas. Hon. 81, w. Langlorne had that
pleasing duty and made u short address to
the graduates before handing them the rolls
of parchment tied with blue ribbons.
The exercises were opened with several
numbers by Peterman's orchestra, after
which Rev. Rollins. OF the Methodist Epis-
copal church, made a short prayer.
Chief Justice Blake thought he could
hear the prayers of the many sweet lips be-
fore him that his address might lack the
the quality of length. He did not expsct
an encore or E bouquet. He would not
waste any moments by repeating very COM
mon and useful advice. "The graduates,
WHO die greeting US, COkupElSo lV6 young
ladies who have passed through the trials
of vexatious examinations and been ad-
judged worthy of their diplomas" He could
not conscientiously predict that one Of
them would sit in the presidential chair, or
the halls OF congress-, or be elected to the
side in the White house. The chief Justice
was surprised when he ascsrtained that
there were no boys upon the
list of graduates, for it was difficult to be-
llevs that all the families of Helena were
like his own and had no children except
gitls. He consulted the returns of the
clerk of the school district and deduced
from the law of averages that there should
be at least four male members Of the grad
uating class. Their absence was a fact
which should receive thorough considera-
ton from every person who is Interested in
the persons who should have been
present are enrolled in academies
and schools remote from the state. Is
there any just cause for this strange con-
duct? Do these absentees enjoy greater
facilities of instruction han are offered
within the gates of Helena? Children are
rarely, if ever, sent to distant places to &C
quire the rudiments OF education. Why
should people, who, by taxation contribute
literally to the maintenance OF the high
schools Of tho state, refuse to accept their
benefits and incur the additional expense of
oANsS VAASA
ought to be of Il similar grade?
These institutions are usually divided into
the Latin high, and English high school,
and in cities of ample resources, each
branch becomes a strong and distinct or
SANITATION. Neither Helena, nor any pre-
cinct of the state, is receiving the blessings
should be the stepping stone
in the journey to liberal education. When
the regular course of instruction which
should be adhered to in Montana schools
has been completed. each graduate should
be qualified to enter the universities of
Harvard or Yale. Yot he is deficient in
their requirements, and the residents of
this state. who are in the undergraduate
departments of leArAing, have been lifted
by the schools of other states. There is
no valid excuse for this condition. The
people of this locality are lavish in the
expenditure of money for noble objects. and
are Jealous in their friendship for a Latin
high school. If any child wishes to ac-
quire a knowledge of the Greek language,
which is prescribed for admission to the
best colleges of the Union, that privilege
should be granted in towns which are able
to bear the financial burden.
The duty OF tho trustees of this BchoOl
district is plain. Teachers, who are COM
potent to give instruction in all of the
necessary branches, should be selected, and
then tie hrst important step will be taken
to establish in our midst an institution of
the first degrae-a preparatory school to
any university In the world.
How exalted is the trust of such a per-
ception. In the Euinquennial catalogue of
Harvard university for 1890 are recorded
the names of her Sons, and a brief reference
to the offices of distinction which they
have filled. In the honors, which are
thus ~perpatuated, appears that of head
master of Il high school, while the govern
orshlp of q territory is not noticed. The
Latin high school of Helena should occupy
forthwith its true position. and be entitled
through genuine merit to it's name. and its
principal should be numbered with kindred
benet0ctors of the race in the next quin-
quennial of Harvard for 1895.
/ In this connection, the Judge said, it was
appropriate to observe the efforts which
have been recently put forth by Helena.
Great Falls and Livingston to secure the
location of the Congregational college.
The difference between the colleges of the
state and the model high school cannot
be readily distinguished, aud there should
DO 4 radical change III their studies and an
advance along the entire line OF subjects in
order that the cause OF liberal education
may be promo ted. The speaker was aware
of the obst acios which must be overcome
and the struggles which must be made by
the founders of a university in this region,
and their services should be commended
and not criticised. They are striving and
hoping for improvements i'll each depart
ment with the growth of the people. All
tho revenue at command. includ-
ing the proceeds of the land