The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-24
ALUMNI OF HIGH
SCHOOL BANQUET
Enjoyable Event at The Bicycle Club
House Last Night.
BUSINESS MEETING FIRST HELD

speech MuklnSssJOhn r. hehey
Interesting Discourse on the Sub.
ject of Capital Punishment..Danc.
ing Followed Banquet.
The annual alumni banquet OF the
Scranton high school held last evnins
at the rooms of the Scranton Bicycle
club will be memorable in the history
OF the association as an epoch marx
for more successful career. Last
night the attendance was lamentapiy
poor but there were present some OF the
best workers in the organization ana
the suggestions given as to the welfare
of the alumni were referred to the new
officers and executive committee.
These officers and committee members
were chosen with more care than mas
been the method of late years. They
are: George Il. Davidson, 'sO, presi-
dent; Miss Leah Heath, so, vice presi-
dent; Miss Emma Falkowsky. '94, sec
retary; John McCourt, '96, recorder;
Executive committee: n, ]. c. Vaughn;
10, Miss Josie d. Lees; 80, Frederick
Crippen; 81, NJ. J. Donahue. SO. James
II, Gettes; 'S7, Mrs. ]. c. Lange; ~,
Miss Josie Rafter; 'S9, Eli Harris; 80.
Merriam Miller: 81 Andrew Fine; '92.
Miss Clara Neimeyer; '93, John Keater;
"a Miss Margaret Schimpff; '95. Miss
Rahel Powell; '96 Miss Lulu Belle War
rem.
The officers were selected by the fol-
L., onnninfp6
chair: Professor, j. c. Lange, X. j.
Beamish and Charles +. Daniels. Their
were unanimously
adopted. In the early part Of the even
ing retiring President David Owens
asked for report from Attorney John
NJ. Harris, who, at the last meeting.
was delegated to look after the securing
of an alumni room in the newhigh
school building. Mr.. Harris stated that
arrangements have been made for the
desired quarters. The committee was
continued. After the selection Of Of
ficers and the executive committee the
session went into long discussion OF
the cndition of the alumni. Miss
Leah Heath suggested that the associa-
tion devote its time and expenditure or
money not to pleasure alone, but to
the furtherance of education In the city
of Scranton. Miss Heath's thoughts
were expressed in a brilliant address
and the effect will be felt. The sug-
gestion was referred to the executive
committee. The committee and officers
will hold meetings during the year to
prepare for the next annual celebration.
The meeting was then adjourned.
THE EATING AND TALKING.
After the business session the alumni
with its friends visited the banquetting
room. Caterer Huntington served deli
cacies to the guests as they sat in
groups about the room. The room was
prettily decorated. After period of
tete-a-tete Retiring President Owens
introduced the chairman Of the evening,
Attorney George b. Davidson. Mr..
Davidson's opening address concerned
the interests Of the alumni. He told Of
its opportunity for doing good and Of
the influence 1t might WELD in the af-
fairs of the city. Mr.. Davidson also
spoke Of the new high school building
and Of the public school system of
Scranton. In concluding he called upon
John McCourt, who in pleasing effort,
spoke of the class of 80. the Juveniles
OF the association. Mr. McCourt made
a plea for the alumni with all its senti-
ment. Sentiment rules the world" he
said. A vocal selection was sweetly
sung by Miss Irene Kann, who so we'll
pleased her audience at the '96 COM
mencement exercises Of the high school.
Following Miss Kann, Emerson d.
owen talked on "The old Woman"
The conception of the subject was that
the "old" is preferable to the new"
that man, when he marries, wants a
wife, not Il private secretary. Attorney
John j. Murphy spoke on "What q
High School Graduate Can Not Tell
About the Law" AS the toastmaster
afterward said, Mr.. Murphy aptly told
what he did not know. But Mr.. MUIR
ply entertained the alumnus with q
number of humorous stories, though
Mr.. Kelley claimed, in a speech follow
ing, that he 1t was who originated the
stories. "And," said Mr.. Kelley, I'm
glad twas Mr. Murphy who told them.
They failed to take, anyhow" At this
point in the exercises the most charm
ing informality prevailed. Messrs.
Davidson, Kelley, Beamish and MUIR
ply delighted the others In a period of
informal repartee.
MR. BEAMISH'S REMARKS.
"Class Fulflllment" was the subject
on which r. j. Beamish, private secre-
tary to Mayor Bailey, attempted to base
his remarks. The intention of the pro-
gramme makers was that Mr. Beamish
should tell of the whereabouts Of his
classmates Of 49, Mr.. Beamish forgot
this. He occupied his time in delivering
series Of humorous and witty effu-
slons which led his auditors astray and
the class Of 'S6 went down into history
unknelled, uncofIlned and unknown. A
recitation by Miss Bertha Conger upon
a subject Of interest to students general
ly, and teachers in particular.
Then followed the most pretentious re.
sponse Of the evening. 1t was or
Capital Punishment" and the speaker
was John p. Kelley. formerly district
attorney. Mr.. Kelley opened his re.
marks with the remark that the sub.
ject was grave" one and that man
was liable to lose his head" over 1t
Then, in serious vein, he gave his
Views on the great question. He up.
held the law, he favors the death penal.
ty when the crime Is premeditated
He believed that the time has not come
for the entire abolishment Of the scaf.
fold. Mr.. Kelley referred to the fact
that in olden time the crimes punishable
by death were vastly more numerous
than now. He told of the law bearing
upon the subject in Pennsylvania and