The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-06-22

| About $50 We're Present--Speeches by
Chairman Matthews, Superintendent
| Robbins, Principal Crosby and Others
| Portrait of Mr.. Robbins to be Hung
| In the High School Building.
There was an important event at the
Preble house last evening. 1t was in many
respects notable event. Over 16O young
men and women were assembled in the
dining hall. They represented very largely
| the educational product of the Deering
| High school, and our sister city may well be
proud of this assemblage of earnest, able
| young people, many of whom are already
| taking prominent and valuable responsible
| ties in this city.
| Itlwas the first reunion of the Deering
| High school Alumni and it was a splendid
| success.
| The idea was started by the present
| principal of the school, Mr.. E, H. Crosby.
| He sugge sted it to Fred v. Matthews, ESQ :,
who went about in the matter with hisusual
efficiency. He was the charm IN of the fol-
lowing committee of arrangements: Fred
| " Matthews, 1885, Edward S. Waite, 49,;
| Sarah W. Adams. '93; F. E. G. Robbins,
| superintendent; Fred E. Leighton, 'S4;
Anna F. Chapman, 'S2; Charlotte W. Mont
| gomery. 79; Edgar H. Crosby, principal;
| Harry Cram, 'ss; Annie M. Elder, SO.
s..The guests of the evening were Mr.. f. E.
| Q. Robbins superintendent of the Deering
| schools and the Westbrook schools, and the
| first principal of the High school; Mrs.
| Page of Boston, formerly Miss Annie Gay.
| and Mr.. Robbins assistant, and Mr.. E. H.
Crosby, the present principal of the school.
| The banquet was an elaborate affair, for
| Landlord White had seen that everything
was worthy of the occasion. On the first
page of the menu was the following: ere
union and Banquet of the Deering High
| School Graduates from 1878 to 1884,
| After the banquet, Mr.. Matthews called
\ to order and announced that first on the
| programme would be a song by Mr.. Harry
I. Harmon of the class of $50, whose SPLEEN
did baritone is too we'll known in this city
to require futher comment. He sang
Kathleen Mavourneen. He was accom-
panied by Miss Hines.
Mr.. Matthews then as chairman of the
| evening made happy address, in
which he thanked everybody for their co.,
peration in making this occasion a grand
success He spoke of high schools in general
and their development in this state, and of
the present occasion as product of the
Deering High school. He spoke briefly and
pertinently of the present situation of the
public schools and the needs of the times in
regard to them.
He.said that it was sixteen years since the
| Deering High school had begun to graduate
classes, and that 278 scholars had graduated
! The smallest class consisted of one and the
largest of twenty-nine members. There
have been sixty-nine who have married so
far, (applause) and he could prophesy that
| that number would be increased very soon
1t was painful duty to announce that six
had died. There was only one class that was
not represented. 1t was the Oldest class.
| that of '78,
| Superintendent Robbins was introduced
| as one who had entered the school as soon
as anyone, and who had had great difficulty
| in graduating. Mr.u Robbins was received
with very great applause. He said that the
| company was probably present to review
the pleasant features of the school life, and
not algebra or even rhetoric. He discussed
the question: What can we fairly expect
from the High School?'' The question: Has
1t helped YOU to get living ought to be left
out of the discussion. If that must deter
mine, the High school has no reason for ex-
istence. No free school ought to be estab
l1shed merely to give some people an easier
chance to get a living than others. The
state has right to expect, not better
living from graduates in respect to dollars
and CENTS, but better living in respect to
broader better life.4
The High school cannot stand the test as
to whether the graduate who goes forth
with his diploma knows very much. But ii
can send him out with some idea of the
great things there are to learn.
A letter from ex-Principal Davis of Cum
berland Centre, was read by Miss Olive
Adams
Principal Crosby was the next speaker.
he rose at the request that he should get
up and tell what an awful hard time he was
having. He responded humorousIy, and
then said that school that was represented
as this was tonight, surely had a past and
must have future. Judging by the last
TWO classes 1t certainly has a present. He
spoke at some length in regard to the past.
present and future of the High school.
Other speakers were Silas B. Adams re
and Ewdard Il. Elwell of 's4, who, in behalf
OF the alumni, who graduated under Mr..
Robbins, presented to the superintendent of
Deering school crayon portrait of the first
principal, to be hung in the High school
building.
Miss Jones of 'ss. coming from the gradu-
ating class of Colby University. made a
very happy addre SIS, in which she declared
the value of the High school training in
her college life.
Mr.. Frank Knight, 49,, member of the
senior class of Bowdoin, also made a short
address.
There was some discussion as to perma-
ant .sxokt ~