Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-16
IN EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES.
The Literary Contests at West Liberty,
Yesterday.
The Annual Commencement Of the
Fulton Public School-The Ben
wood Commencement Took Place
Last Evening-Other Matters of
an Educational Nature.


Last evening the annual Commence
ment of the Benwood High school was
| held in the Benwood NJ. e. church at
which four graduates commemorated
the successful ending of their school
! life by appearing in public and re-
| ceiving the hearty Acknowledgements
and congratulations of their relatives
| and friends. The church was beauti-
! fully decorated for the occasion with
! the class motto and flowers and plants
tastefullv arranged. Prof Ford, Rev.
! ]. S. Robinson, Rev. f. G. w. Ford,
members of the Board of Education,
and others. sat upon the platform with
! the graduates. Also the Arlington
Division of X. of P. orchestra, and
Arlington Quartette, Of Bellaire, who
furnished the music.
The members Of the class OF 81 were
John w. Bursee, Chester A. Beall'
Edward NJ. Bowers. Theresa A. Oser,
and Nellie B. Riddell. Miss Bowers
did not participate in the commence
ment exercises, owing to the recent
death of her sister.
The graduates all acquitted them
selves splendidly and at the conclusion
Of their efforts each won applause from
the pleased audience. Mr.. Chester A.
Beall read an excellent and carefully
prepared paper, his topic being CUBA
Libre." "Woman's Suffrage" was the
interesting title of a well-dellvered
oration by Miss Nellie b. Riddell. MI
John w. Bursee's essay on The Lana
of the Rising Sun" was one OF the pest
parts of the programme, ana MISS
Theresa A. Oser's Grafton on the SUD-
iect. Our Lives are What We Make
Them" made splendid impression
Rev. ]. S. Robinson delivered an I'M
pressive address to the members OF the
class and the audience, which was
Justly appreciated. c. W. kronharu''
nrssidert of the Board Of Education,
presented the graduates with their
diplomas. Benediction was pronounced
Inv Rev. r. G. w. Ford.
A banouet for the members OF the
class was afterward served IN the lec-
ture room of the church.
The annual contest last evening oe-
tween the Bryant and Irving literary
societies of the West Liberty Normal
College was a memorable event in the
history of the institution. Each soci-
etv was represented by its aDiest ue-
haters speakers and composers, ana
the interest througout the evening was
intense while the various participants
were earnestly and ably endeavorlng
to secure the laurels for their respective
societies. The hall where the exer-
cises took Place was beautifully decor
ated with flowers, pictures Of Byant
and Irving. and the blue colors OF the
Brvapts and the white of the lrvings.
The nrogramme was opened by the
debate:
Resolved. That the municipality
ebould own. operate and control all
public franchises.
Affirmative. E. P. Carman; negative,
f. C. Carman. J. w. Whitman deliy-
cred an Grafton on Free Cuba.
"Pugilism in the United States was
the subject of an oration by H. c.
Mitchell. Miss Sarah P. Rogers read
an essay. Does Christianity Lead in
Civilization. Miss Katherine L. Hall
had an essay on Silent Influences"
Recitations were given by Misses Lulu
NJ. Hartley and Isa B. Hukill on
"Hagar."
The Judges awarded the debate hon
ors to E. P. Carman, of the Irving So
ciety. who spoke for the affirmative.
The nrizes for the best Grafton was
given to ]. w. Whitman, and for the
hest essay to Miss Hall, both OF the
Bryant society. The recitation honor
went to Miss Hukill, of the Irving So
cietv. The Judges allowed forty points
on debate. thirty on oration, twenty
on essay. ten on recitation. BY this
division Of points the contest for hon
ors was a draw between the two soci-
cites. as each secured fifty points
Those who oficiated as judges were
Supt. w. H. Anderson and Miss Eliza
beth Clohan, of Wheeling, and A. j.
Wilkinson. of Grafton, secretary of the
State Board of Examiners.
The members of the Board of Re-
gents have all arrived in West Liberty
and are ready for business. Prof. Rob-
ert A. Armstrong, Wee President of the
West Virginia University, delivered a
lecture Monday night on the subject,
open Wheat or Open Sesame" ." This
was a most finished and scholarly eff
fort and highly pleased Prof Arm
strong's many admirers at West Lib
erty.
The Fulton public school closed yes
terday with the usual literary enter