Arizona republican., 1896-05-28
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Commencement ExerCi- ses Last Night. A Programme of Exceptional
 Merit.
Miss Isollne Coombs and John Mer. riam, the Two Bright Members
 of the Class of 'o6.

warm and the VentllaLl0n or the opera house was none of the best. that did not deter the house from being packed by those who attended to witness the first annual commencement exercises of the Union high school.
 E. Grant Randal and a corps of young lady assistants had busied them selves yesterday in decorating the stage and their efforts are deserving of com mendatio Flowers and evergreens were in profusion, but rare taste was shown in making tasty and attractive appearance The American flag was in evidence, as was also the class motto. which was stretched across the stage. "Ad Astra Per Aspera" was the emblem which translated is "To the Stars Through Difficulties" IA center table filled with choice flowers completed the pleasing decoration
 The introduction of the programme was a chorus by the high school which was followed by Rev. Preston McKin- ney invoking Divine blessing.
 Miss lone Allen, the g.fted musician, next followed with 3 piano solo that received warm applause.
 John E. Merriam, one of the two class graduates of '96, stepped forward and delivered his oration on What Electrical Science Is Doing for the World"
 The young man was greeted by loud applause by his school mates. He comprehensively discoursed on the scientific results obtained from the use of electricity from the time when it was first discovered. He said that the consumption of coal was enormous and that electricity would soon entirely dispiace it. He als.; spoke of the achievements yet to~be accomplished by the wonderful science. His sub ject covered a wide field with no lack of material to draw upon. Some of the 1 possibilities of what he said electricity would do in the fu- ture seemed impossible, but when we take into consideration the 1 tales of Jules Verne in his Twenty 1 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, g which was written almost before prac- tical results of any kind were obtained from it's use, then his predictions do not seem so improbable after all He was given very enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of his remarks which are applicable in this age of evolution. l An instrumental trio was given by three little tots, Misses Gladys Hoad- ley, Alice Redewill and Mary Baker. They were roundly app.auded and re- sponded to an encore, which was equal ly we'll received.
 | Miss Isoline Coombs next delivered her graduating oration entitled, q, the Heir of All the Ages" a very beautiful 1 theme that was delivered in a manner that denoted that the subject was given considerable thought. The subject ranged from the past, the present, to the future and was mainly directed to the young students just entering the portals Of manhood or womanhood. The thoughts were beautifully ex- pressed and likewise the sentiment.
 At the conclusion of Miss Coombs' oration Superintendent Creager made short speech of the excellent work of the two graduates during the last year of school and said that they could have graduated last year if they chose. | but wanted to remain ;n school an- other year.
 M. W. Messinger, president of the school board, was called upon by the superintendent to present the diplomas which he did in a short, but pleasing l speech, in which he commended the young graduates highly.
 Following the presentation of the diplomas Mrs o. A. Turney rendered vocal solo, with Mrs lone Allen as accompanyist.
 The annual commencement address was delivered by General A. J. Samp- son. He referred to the great pomp and splendor attending the crowning of the czar and cZarina at Moscow Tues day night and of the jewels that cost million dollars, worn by the czarina on that occasion, and addressing the young graduates he said that the jewels worn by the empress on that occasion were not worth more to her than their 1 diplomas were to them, for they repre- sented the fruits of years of study. He told them to prize not lightly the prep arations they received, for it would | help them with the battles of life. 1 His remarks were words of wisdom to the graduates as well as the other scholars, who in course of time would also receive their graduating diplomas
 A little learning was 2 42egar~-i. thing, drink deep or torch n9- -7
 brink. He urged them all to pslt-.s-
 in their pursuit for knowledge.
 The speakers remarks made a pro- found impression on the audience and graduates alike and he received a wei, earned applause.
 When the remarks of MT. Sampson