Evening star., 1897-02-23
DEDICATION CEREMONIES.
Exercises Yesterday mt the \
LanEdOn school.

LdnEOOn SCHOOL.
The dedication ceremonies of the new
public school at Langdon took place yes
terday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock in the pres
ence Of an immense audience.
Shortly before that hour the pupils of the
school. under the marshalship of Messrs
John w. Watson and B. F. Edwards, as
sembled at the Langdon depot for the pur-
pose Of meeting Superintendent of Public
Schools Mr.W. B. Powell, Supervising Prin-
cipal Patterson, DIR. F. T. Howe of The
Star, DR.. A. P. Pardon Of the board of
trade and the other speakers for the occa-
sion.
When the train which left Washington at
800 arrived it had as passengers not onl!
those named, but also Mr. Thomas P.
Moore. state councillor of the Junior Order
of American Mechanics, and more than
sixty Of the members of the same organi-
Zetion.
The children and the visitors formed in
line and the former escorted the visitors to
the new school building, where the exer-
c-ses took place.
President John w. Watson CT the North:
east Citizens Association presided, and In
troduced Rev. Mr.. Grove, rector of the
Church Of Our Savior, Brookland. and ST.
Barnabas Mission, Langdon, who offered
the invocation.
Mr.. Ashley NJ. Gould delivered an ora
tion on THE Flag" during which he spoke
of the origin of the flag In eloquent Ian
guage.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Gould's address
a choir. composed Of Mrs. Charles Ander-
son. Miss Hattie Anderson, Miss Verdi
Catterton, Messrs Charles Watson, Chas
Anderson. with Miss Maggie Anderson, ac-
ccmpanist on the piano. sang THE Star
Spangled Banner" the audience uniting in
the chorus. While the singing was in pro-
gress Mr.. T. P. Moore raised the flag to the
stan on the top Of the building, amidst the
most enthusiastic applause on the part of
all present, the pupils of the school mean
while waving smaller flags, with one of
which each had been provided.
Mrs. DR.. z. W. Alderman performed a
piano solo. following which Superintendent
W. B. Powell made a speech. Mr.. Pow ell
referred to the advantages of the public
school system. and stated that the people of
Langdon ought TO feel very proud that
Congress had given them such a pretty
school building as, there being such a ten
dency on the part Of the great majority of
persons to move to the city, 1t was difficult
to get an appropriation for a school build
Ing In the suburbs. Mr.. Powell said fur
ther that Lahgdon school would at once be
equipped with a sufficient staff, including
cooking and sewing teachers, together with
all the necessary appliances for teaching
the entire eight grades. and that 1t would
be In all respects equal to the city schools
in which similar grades are taught
Mr.. Powell was followed by Supervising
Principal W. B. Patterson, who compli-
Hented the Northeast Citizens Associa-
tion. Superintendent Powell the members
OF the Junior Order of American Mechan-
les and all others who had assisted in Sc
curing the building of the school or in max
irg the dedication exercises a success: and
stated that the Junior Order of American
Mechanics were entitled to the lasting graf
ftude OF the nation for having origina ted
tie idea OF having a United States flag on
every public school building In the land
He further said that the teachers of the
public schools in the District of Columbia
were equal in ability, If not superior to
those OF any city In the Union.
Dr. A. r. Pardon, an ex-school trustee
and member of the board of trade, spoke at
length and told how that organization
worked in harmony with the various citi-
zens' associations Of the District and with
the board Of school trustees. and demanded
that the children be furnished with the
best facilities for getting an education.
After a solo by Miss Almilda Matlock, Dr.
r. T. Howe OF The Evening Star made an
address DIR. Howe referred to the day,
the Raising Of the flag paid an eloquent
tribute to Washington, Lincoln aid Gran,
and recommended that on all national hol-
idays the children and their parents should
assemble in the various school buildings
and speeches made by competent Dersons
SO that all might learn 10 have greater rev.
erenee for the flag aid the memory of the
men who fought for 1t.
The exercises were closed with the sing
ins OF America. The committee of arrange
Irents. under whose management the affair
Was brought to such successful termina-
ton. was composed of Messrs. H. g. SUIT
ton. chairman: b. +. Edwards E. A. M
Lawson. 1. j. Baker, R. E. George. Zenos
Alderman and w. H. Mcneil of LanRdon.
Grant Sexton of Avalon, l.. c. Loomis of
Winthrop Heights and Frank Lloyd of
Greenvale. with ladies' auxiliary, COM
posed OF Mrs Mcneil. Mrs. Baker, Mrs
Harris. Miss Anderson and Miss Grimes.