Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-25
Fourteenth Annual Commencement,
Washington High School.
COMMISSIONER ROSS PRESIDES
Large Graduating Class Greeted by
Thousands of Friends.
AN INTERESTING EMIT

School. Convention Hall was the scene Of
the graduation of the fourteenth class from
the Districts supreme institution of free
instruction and the big auditorium for a
time really appeared to be the Mecca for
the entire local population.
The streets leading to it were the routes
of apparently endless professions Of proud
parents. relatives and friends of the grad
yates. At the entrance. for more than an
hour, there was a jam of a pronoun ed
character, and the passing of the crowds
through the portals reminded one very
acutely of a collegiate foot ball game.
When the exercises began 4 conservative
estimate numbered the audience at 1000,
truly representative gathering of he
people of Washington. Not since the visit
OF Moody and Sankey, nearly four years
ago, in all probability, has Convention Hall
contained an assemblage of such vast pro-
portions: perhaps never an audience of
such character.
Picturesque Features.
Again. it would be hard to conceive the
nail TO be more picturesque and attractive
than 1t was last evening. In addition to
the bright vari-colored costumes of the
ladies', all things inanimate were in gala
ATTIRE. Contrary to the custom of former
years, the platform was at the southern
extremity OF the hall, not on the west SIDE
Intervening to the northern end was a
hanging forest of flags. banners and stream
ers- Ihey We're artistically arranged ard
suspended, as We're similar decorations on
the walls, and On the rail of the balcony.
The arch above the platform was adorn-
Ell with large American flags surmounted
by the coat-of-arms of the United States.
Below were displayed the High school
colors-white and blue-and nesting close
10 the folds, conspicuousy placed could
De seen an artistic formation of flowers and
greens, with the inscription in blue, on a
background of white. w. H. S. ~
grove of palms and other potted plants
pordered the front and sides of the plat
form, and almost hidden from view in
thelr midst, the Marine Band with Prof
Fanciulli in charge. was stationed The
seats for the graduates were placed in tiers
over the whole myriads of incanCfescen:
electric lights, with globes of red, white
and blue. sned patriotic glow.
feature of the decorations was Chi
nese nag, of large dimensions, spread to
one side of the platform. This was in evil
denoe in honor of Saoke Alfred SEE, an at
tache of the Chinese legation, who has
completed the four years course at the
High School. and who last evening received
diploma The Chinese minister and suite
were present and occupied seats on the
platform, as did the Corean minister with
his wife and son. The most general and en-
thustastic demonstration of the evening oc-
Cured when young SEE stepped forward TO
receive his diploma.
The class of '96, being the first which en-
tered the High School after the term was
increased from three to four years, was
naturally small in numbers. and, therefore,
its commencement exercises were held in
local theater. Such did not apply, however,
to 81, for no smaller Enclosure than Con
vention Hall &C uld possibly have accommo-
dated the class and those interested in Its
program.
The Music.
The Marine Band played Herald's over
ture, Tampa" and FanciullYs fantasia
"Old and New Favorites," while the audi
ence was being seated by efficient corps
of ushers, made up of members Of the regi-
ment of High School Cadets. Finally the
strains of Sousas ever popular march, 1.-The
High School Cadets" were heard. and the
graduates, with stately tread. entered the
hall from the northern doorways.
The audience rose to its feet In order
to obtain the best possible view of the
double column that passed along the center
aisle to the stage. The young ladies were
in graduating gowns of white, while the
young gentlemen. with the exception Of the
officers of the regiment. appeared in resu-
iation civilian attire. The officers were in
military Earb.
After mounting the platform the gradu
ates remained standing until a given sig
Eal. when all were seated simultaneously.
In addition to the graduates, those on the
platform were District Commissioner John
w. Ross. who acted as presiding officer
and made the Introductory address: Rev.
DR.. b. l.. Whitman. president Of Column
bian University, who made the address of
the evening: District Com missioner John b.
Wight. who presented the diplomas to the
graduates. Rev. L. b. Wilson, who invoked
the divine blessing: DR.. Bayne of the Sons
of the Revolution. Mr.. Hunt of the Sons
of the American Revolution: Mrs. Stowell,
and Messrs. Wilson. Hazen and Barnard
of the board of school trustees, Mr.. w. B.
Powell, superintendent of public schools;
lr of no hfyh cNhr A1c
Prof. H. NJ Johnson, principal of the East
ern High School: Miss Edith c. Wescott,
principal Of the Western High School; Mrs.
Walton, representing the Central High
School, and Miss Spalding, representing the
Eastern High School.
Commissioner Ross invited Rev. DR.. Will
son to invoke the blessing. and the latter
responded with a prayer that peace and
prosperity might soon be the rule for all
lands. He asked particular blessing upon
the Washington High School, the instruc-
tors and graduates. and pleaded for the
help of the Almighty should discourage
ment ever overcome the young folks just
entering upon life.
Commissioner Ross Address.
The band played THE Ordway Rifles
March," by Mr.. Paul r. Hallam, a former
graduate of the Eastern High School, and
then Commissioner Ross proceeded with the
Introductory address. 1T was In 1882"
said Mr.. Ross, that the Washington High
School took possession OF the building at
18th and streets. From its doors have
gone forth some of our most eminent and
distinguished citizens. The graduates num-
Der about 5000, and they include members
OF the bar. physicians, journalists and men
and women occupying many prominent po-
sitions in the business life. Those who
81 aduate tonight deserve our congratula-
ton. / congratulate them after their four
years of hard work, and / congratulate
their parents and relatives"
Continuing, Mr.. Ross stated that during
the past year 1850 pupils attended the
public schools of Washington, and they
were under the care of 1,O11 teachers, the
majority of the latter being graduates of
the High School, and later of the Normal
School-"our own people and friends" as
Mr.. Ross expressed It.
President Ross next referred to the lib
erality CT Congress in dealing with the pub
lie schools Of the District. During the past
year, he said, nine new buildings had been
erected, and during the coming fiscal wear
four new eight-room buildings are to be
added.
Il mention this because 1 want the peo-
pie of the District to take an interest in
school matters" Commissioner Ross ex
planned. 1T Is by concerted action only
that desired results are obtained. / also
want to call attention to the manual train
Ing feature Of our public schools. and to
say that We need a high manual trninine
building. one for white and one for colored
pupils We must unite at the next session