Rock Island Argus., 1895-06-08
HONORS WE'LL WON
BY the High School Glass Of
1896.

1896.
THIRTY-EIGHT RECEIVE DIPLOMAS.
The Largest Namber OF Graduates in the
History Of the Institution Commence
ment Exercises ut Harper's Theatre
Last Evening.
The commencement exercises of
the Rock Island High school were
held last evening at Harper's theatre,
the capacity of which was taxed to
its utmost by auditors appreciative
of the advancement and the meri-
torious accomplishments of the
students of the public schools after
years of undivided effort. The SEN
timent was truly expressed in the
words, Through Labor Comes Sue
cess" which dropped from the CEN
ter of the stage overhanging the
graduates in the class colors of old
gold and black.
Decorations representative of the
class colors were also strewn about
the ratings of the boxes, while the
base ball pennant and field day ban
ner were also prominently in evil
dence. Fronting the stage was con-
structed temporary stair-like
platform. This, too. was carpeted
with the prevailing old gold and
black with the array of happy grad
yates in the background. With the
sparkling lights Frightening their
countenances, it presented scene of
beauty and splendor not soon to be
forgotten.
Display Of Attachments.
In the exercises to admirable ad-
vantage was displayed the culture
of education and eloquence attained
by the student participants, and re-
ilected not only on their own efforts.
but also bespoke the labors of their
tutors. The program opened with
an overture by SchilliDger's orches-
ira, which was stationed at the right
of the graduates. Rev. F. W. Mer-
rell invoked the blessing, and quar-
tet, composed of Messrs. Boggess.
Welch, Blakesley and Stewart, sang
sweetly ..Welcome Tonight"
The salutatory was cleverly de-
livered by Harry Eastman, who well
coined the audience, and trusted
that the attainments of the gradu-
ates after their long term of school
would be in evidence before the
large assemblage of auditors. He
also intelligentlv handled the sub
ject of "Strikes," the most import
ant and universally disastrous of
which was the one at Chicago last
year. Differences between labor and
capital often resulted in long strug-
giles and sometimes bloodshed,
which, he advocated, could be
averted by arbitration.
Miss Mildred Iglehart illustrated
1.-The Influence of Music" in a grace
full manner; Education" was the
theme which Miss Wilhelmina L. Mey.
er was fully equal to ;the Importance OF
1.-The Nicaragua Canal to commerce,
was discussed with a familiarity OF
subject and distinctness of delivery
by Arthur c. Kahlke; Miss Nellie A.
Brennan pictured the trials and trib
ulations Of Joan of Arc" in clever
and vivid manner; that selfish old
character of Dickens-"Scrooge"
vas briefly yet intelligently depicted
by Miss Natalie G. Mirfield; H. Ben
ton Honens described The Recen,
Progress of Japan" which was due
to its keeping with modern civiliza
tion and its achievements, clearly;
Miss Lille V. Simmon illustrated
the class MOTTO, Through Labor
Comes Success. speaking in fact a:
one who had lived up to its essential
points, with perseverance not to be
discouraged by disappointment.
An interesting, exceptionally well
delivered subject was 1.-The Evolu
tion of Money" by Charles b. Dur
ham, who also made the valedictory
address. He traced the need of I
Exchange for purchasing purpose:
from its incipiency; of the uncivil
lied Of centuries agone, who of neces
sitv used skin, cattle, ETC., fol
buying and selling powers; and from
these emanated the introduction OF
gold and silver. He ably illustrated
the practicability of bimetalism to
all classes of people. Gold and sill
yer could be kept at a parity
by the free coinage of both, while
the demonetization of either
would inevitably bring disaster.
The intelligence of the American peo
pie would not permit any move
of a disastrous tendency to be made
and with them the solution o
the money question could be safely
let.
The program was interspersed
with orchestral selections and a cho-
rus from the graduating class sta.
toned on the platform in front of the
stage sang numbers from "Queer
Esther"
President Robbins Address.
In addressing the class of '95 Pres
ident Robbins, of the board of edu
cation, said:
..Class of '95, Greeting: In behal
of the hoard Of education I take