The times., 1897-06-25
READY FOR uFE's BATTLE
The Graduating Exercises Of the
Washington High Schools.
VAST CROWD FILLS THE HALL
Music by the Marine Band-Invo-
cation by Mr.. Ayilson-Mr. Ross
introductory ReHarks-D Whis-
mans sold Saws ana Modern In
stances"

The fourteenth annual graduating ex-
was held at Convention Hall last night.
The commencement was attended by
monster audience Hundreds of electric
lights, red, hite and blue, twinkled
throughout the vast auditorium, and
wealth of bunting made the hall radiant
win all the colors OF the spectrum. The
ent TO lend "a cooling aspect 10 the heated,
animated scene Above The stage swung
and swayed "a great American ensign. On
the right hung the yellow flag OF emma,
painted with black dragon Chasing red
bah. This conspicuous position was given
to the flag Of China in consequences OF the
Chinese graduate, III honor Of whom the
members of the Chinese legation and the
Korean minister his wife and soH, were
present On the platform. Directly over
the stage was the legend, w. II s., 81
The letters and figures were in blue,
wrought on a back ground OF white, and
the W hole was wreathed with palms.
Thousands of feet were shutting over
the floor, scores Of the commencement
functionaries were hurrYng TO and fro
and there was a tnmult OF converse when
Prof Fancinlli waved his baton and a
section of the Marine Band struck up
''Za mpa.'' This selection was closely
followed by the fanraae, by Fanciulh,
styied, .tOid and New Fayorites.' The
principal favorites introduced in this fan
tasie were the ToRador's song fro.n
Carmen the soldiers chorus from
Faust" and the inteEniezzo from. '.Cayal-
leria Rusticana''
Then the band opened up with SoUsa's
march, High School Cadets" The col
unan of graduates had formed il the re-
ception-rocms, at the rear OF the great
auditorium, and, at the signal from the
band moved slowly down the center aisle.
The sweet girl graduates had tie post
of honor, and the boy graduates brought
up the rear They took seats on the
platform facing tie audience, and little
spasms of applause broke out here and
there in the hail as friends caught light
of some favorite in the. regiment OF
graduates on the platform were Com
missioner John w. Ross. Commissioner
=
dent OF Columbian University: Rev. DR..
l. b. Wilson, DR.. Bayne, representing the
Sons of the Revolution; Mr.. Hunter. rep
resenting the Sons of the American Revo-
luton; Miss SpaldiBg, representing the
Eastern High School: Mrs. Walker, rep
reseBting the Central High School: the
board Of school trustees, several prin-
cipals of the public schools. supt. Powell,
the Korean minister, wife and SON; and
the following members OF the Chinese
legation: Ho Yung Shing, counsellor Of
the ChiDese legation at st Petersburg,
and secretaries Sung, wang, Chung, Cheng
and Chow.
Commissioner Ross acted as master OF
ceremonies, and introduced Rev. Or. l. b.
Wilson, who rendered the invocation. He
appealed tn God by worshiping Him as
the giveI of all gifts greater than he could
name and greater than he could measure
He thanked God for the possibility that
men could think. He asked that men, mi gnt
be made TO full y un de rstaud the things that
surround US IA this world II thanked the
Divine Power for the blessings He had be-
stuwed on this land OF ours, In which it
had been possible to instruct the youth
of our homes. He prayed that we mi iisht
fully appreciate the opportunities given us.
He asked that these privileges might be
given TO all lands, an q that equitable laws
might prevail Throughout the world and
hasten the day when peace an prosperity
shat be the portion of every nation. He
called down a blessing on ''our servant"
the PRESIDENT, his cOunseliors, and on the
great institution represented in the com
rnencement. He called for q blessing on
the graduates, their friends, aud the public
generally. He prayed that thelcarning they
ha acquired would aid them in resisting
thc temptations which would beset them.
He hoped that the graduates would love
only the things that are of hi gh nature and
of good report.
Commissioner Ross then made a brief
address of welcome. He said that it
WAS the fourteenth anniversary Of the high
schools. Fourteen years ago there had
beeJi advanced grammar schools ia the
District, and perhaps In their nature they
somewhat resembled the high school OF
To-Day. Since the establishment of the
high school in 1882 5000 people had
passed through IL and out into the walks
OF life. The graduates of this school
now adorned many honorable positions.
They were prominent in the world Of
business, professions and letters. They
Were among the most successful lawyers,
physicians and newspaper men in the
District. He extended his hearty con-
gratulations to the graduates uron the
completion Of the four years course OF
study. To complete this course salts
factorily had required courage, ability,
and tenacity of purpose. He congratulated
ha vi nf 1a n fac -hf,h had
come to share in their triumph on this
happy occ aston.
Commissioner Ross stated that there
were in the public schools of this city
s3,64S scholars, who were taught by
l,0T1 teachers. Congress had treated the
District with a fair degree of liberality
in the matter of public education. For the
fiscal year just closing there had been
erected and repaired nine public school
buildings. The appropriation for next year
contemplated the erection Of four eight
room scboolbuildings. Itwas only through
the cooperate of all the people OF the
District that we could get from Congress
what we wanted and what we needed in
the matter OF educational facilities.
He said that there was one feature OF
the public school system Of the District
in which the Commissioners and the school
authorities felt especial pride. This was
the system of manual training. The
strength of this system lay in the fact
that it began in the primary school. This
feature OF the system called for more
generous treatment. The Commissioners
wanted two great manual training schools,
one for the colored and one for the white
children of the city. The Commissioners