Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-03-13

The annual commencement exer-
cises OF Olympia High School took
place in Olympia Theater, Wednesday
evening, and the building was crowded
with auditors from parquette To gall
lery. The number present was con-
siderably over 500 people. The Glass
OF SO. consisting of Edith aud Julia
Cavanaugh, Ida VI. Collins, Mabel c.
Giles, Q. P NJ Hazard, Chas. A.
Libby, May L. McIntire, Anna \.
Mitchell, Rose Pearl Murphy. Jose
phine Prince, John A. Rea, Jr., Edna
+. Robertson, Lena NJ Shields, Mabel
VI. Weir, occupied the left of the
stage, Prof. Edwards, President ellis,
Director Eathbun, and Superintend-
ent Hazard the right. The young
ladies, were clad in conventional suits
Of white, while the young men added
just enough of dark for contrast
and to break the monotony of col
or, presenting charming appearance.
All appeared to posress to the fullest
extent that contentmeut which is the
reward OF ng-continued successful
labor
The exercises began with an over
ture by the theater orchestra and an
invocation by Rev. Rufus Chase, of ST.
Johns church. The Commencement
Address was read by Prof. w. +. Ed
wards, of the Seattle University. 1t
was no doubt IA creditable effort, but
as the gentleman's articulation was
not OF the best, and he spoke in a low
tone of voice with his lips on line
with his shirt-collar, the patience of
large majority OF the audience was
severely taxed before the confused
humble came to a close. The next
number on the programme was song
by the Elks' Glee Club, but they failed
To appear, and it is said in their justi-
tication that they had made no prom
Use to do so. Then came presentation
of diplomas, by Mr.. ellis, which was
done in very novel manner. He
grabbed the bundle of parchments"
and passing along the line of grad
yates handed them out with evident
impartiality and without reference to
any special ownership in each. The
consequence was that after the exer-
cises were over general exchange of
diplomas had to be made. One object
of the assembly of large audience
was to witness the award of the hon
ors Of the school, and when it is hur-
ried through without the slightest at
tention to the formalities usual on
such occasions, the pupils, parents,
friends and observers might well ex-
claim
IF SO soon to be done for,
What WAS 1t begun for
AS this proceeding was in progress
somebody in the audience asked that
the names be called, when Mr.. G. re-
tOrted that the names were on the
programme, but he paused long
enough to read the list and then re-
sumed the distribution as it had be-
gun. After song by Miss Addie
Libby, which was beautifully rendered,
Superintendent Hazard made few
remarks to the class extolling educa
ton, commenting the efforts that had
so far been crowned with success and
urging disposition to press on to still
higher effort. While his tone of voice
was OF scarcely any greater volume
than that of Prof. Edwards, he was
heard distinctly in every part of the
hOuse-so much is due to correct pro
nunciation and an erect head in the
delivery of an address. A benediction
closed the exercises, and then amid
the buzz of departure one was able to
obtain, from the American habit of
plain speaking, concensus of opinion
as to exercises which had just closed.
The general expectation it seems
was that the class would afford some
evidence of the result Of their labors
in school, and disappointment was
freely expressed that this custom had
been been ignored. While finished
work, like that imported, might not
have been presented, it would at least
have been received with the allowance
always so freely accorded to youth,
and in many instances this leniency
WOuiu nave UttIi stEeLStncucu ny TIE
ties OF consanguinity. The reason
that this Was not done, given by Pres
ident Gillis, was that it would have
taken too much time from the short
ened school year to have prepared
essays or declarations which neces-
sarily form the major part of pro-
gramme that can be given before n
large and promiscuous audience.
Right there many will take issue with
that gentleman. The essays may be
made to include review OF some par
ticular branch of study in which each
student may have shown special
aptitude, and to embrace the knowl.
edge thus acquired in plain, succinct
essay would tend to fix the essential
points indellibly upon the memory.
1t would be mental thinning of COM
pleted picture, to frame and hang
upon the walls Of the inner temple,
for constant reminder of the success
that attends well-directed effort.
A Boon FOR WoMEN.-An article
whose utility is apparent on sight is