The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-06-23

rule ior commencement day at the West
Liberty state normal school to BIO OF the
ijealic Juno variety. Yesterday, how
ever, was an exception to tho very APP
~propriate rule, One OF tho heaviest
rains Of the season marred the occasion
during tho afternoon, hut did not really
affect the attendance, as the people
were already there and could not got
away,
During the entire week the COM
moncomont exercises ut the normal
have been in progress, and the attend
ance has all along been extraordinarily
good, comparing favorably with the
best past years. A feature this year
has been the large attendance OF old
Graduates OF the institution, and tho
alumni meeting yesterday afternoon
was consequently very largely attended
and interesting. Over a hundred grad
yates were on hand yesterday,
COMMENCEMENT DAY,
Yesterday, was OF course the gala day OF
the week, and early yesterday morning
c~onyoyances OF all descriptions began to
pour into the historic little village, no.
table as being the place where the first
civil court over had wost OF the Ale
ghanies was held, until ut 10 o'clock, the
hour at which the exercises wore N
~nounced to begin, the accommodations
Of the one hostelry and the numerous
open residences were taxed to the ut
most, The threatening weather kept
numbers OF people away,
An hour before the opening prayer
the academy hall was filed, every seat
taken and standing room at a premium,
The interest in the proceedings was
great, and at every window people on
deayored to hear what they could. The
following programme was carried ont:
Music.
.RoV, y, B, Aloulong
Music.
Omt!on, with salutatOry Our common schools
George L. Lewis. West Alexander, Pa.
Grafton. .....,......." perseverance, OF Great Men"
Emma Maxwell, Potomac, W, Va.
Music.
Grafton. ........ .....,,.....,.. "Llie,s Pictures
Harry Ridgely, West Liberty, ". Va.
Annie Finley, Clinton, ". Va
OrutiOn.u"",,t 20 mu.....r..'Future OF AluctlCu
Milton McCulloch, Clinton, W Va,
Music.
Oratlon. .....a.. .,.....,..."P Power Of an Ideal"
Cora Flnlcr, Elm Grove. ", Va.
O''''''' Cora HaEilI, %ciisbufg, VI, Va.
Grafton m...,......... An American Statesman
james Dixon, West Liberty, W, Va.
Music.
OntiOn ."",..... .........",.. .:".:." "innOVatOEs'
Minnie Wynters, Sand I'LL, w. Va
0'D''o .... WIN ya' SBiInd IL The Midst Of Beauty"
Halle II. Jacob, Clinton, W. Va.
Music.
Presentation OF Diplomas,
Hon, Virgil A. Lewis, President Of Board OF
Dcnedlction.
Music.
As will be seen, a feature OF tho exer.
ciscs was the character OF the work
allotted to each graduate.all orations.
This is an innovation in graduation OK
%erCisGs, and the general opinion was
that it was q very good one.
The grafton and salutatory by Mr..
George L. Lewis, OF West Alexander,
was a careful and praiseworthy effort,
well delivered. The speaker in a grace
full manner welcomed the friends and
relatives OF the graduates who graced
the occasion by their presence, and
then started in on the subject matter
OF his discourse. He hoped the pres
enCe Of 80 many evidenced an interest
in our public schools, and advocated
many improvements in
TIE SCHOOL SYSTEM,
system that has q moral effect on the
quality Of our citizenship. Not the
least advantage, no said, OF the public
school, is its fundamentally in the
transformation OF the foreign element
OF the population OF this country. In
the public school there is no division or
class distiction, all are fused on n
common basis, the true American spirit.
The system Of publ schools has done u
great work, but there aro some defects;
parents do not take enough interest in
the work Of tho school and scholars,
and the idea prevalent that q tenth ratio
lawyer or poor physician is better than
an industrious farmer or mechanic, ia
wrong.
Perseverance Of Great Men," was the
topic enlarged upon by Miss. Emma
Lazier, Of West Liberty. She gave nu-
nerous instances OF this needed quality
in the careers Of tho illustrious Grant
and Of Americas %disCoverer, Christie
phor Columbus.
Mr.. Harry Ridgely, Of West Liberty,
Grated on "Life's Pictures" and the
theme was ably developed in q pleasing
manner by the speaker.
Margaret Fuller" the thome dwelt
upon by Miss Annie Finley, OF Clinton,
allowed her tho opportunity to show
concIusively the enlarged sphere OF
woMAN's USEFULNESS
in the present day. The death Of this
historical figure, full Of tragedy and
pathos, and hor boquosts to woman.
hood, wore ioelingly delineated.
"Heroines," as treated by Miss Della
Maxwell, greatly pleased the critical
audience. She gave illustrations OF this
quality in the careers OF famous wo.
mon, including Elizabeth Zane, Of local
interest," Charlotte Corday, Joan Of Arc,
Mary Dyer, the victim OF w%ltchcrait,
una others.
Tho Future Of America" was ably
handled by Mr.. Milton McCulloch, Of
Clinton. Ee drew an entioing and nat.
utal picture Of tho future Of this land Of
the free and the brave.
Miss Cora Nnlor, OF Elm Grove, had
selected as her topic, Power Of an
Ideal' Miss Nnlor is n graceful and
elective speaker, as could DO sOen from
tho manner in which she enlarged upon
her subject.
Tho Threshold" q topic especially
appropriate for tho occasion was treated
IN an effective manner by Miss Cora