New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-08
WADLEIGH SCHOOL QUESTION
THE GRADUATES OF THE OLD TWELFTH
STREET SCHOOL MET SATURDAY.
SPEECHES MADE BY BISHOP POTTER, DR. THOMAS
HUNTER OF THE NORMAL COLLEGE, AND
COMMISSIONER KELLY.

COMMISSIONER KELLY
The graduates of the Senior Department Of the old
Twelfth Street School celebrated on Saturday after
noon the forty-rst anniversary OF Founders Day. IN
honor OF Lydia F. Wadlegh, in the school building
and though the rain kept many away who wouid
have liked 70 be present. there never was more en-
thusastic gathering. Miss juliet c. Cushing pre-
sided and addresses were made by Bishop Potter
President Thomas Hunter OF the Normal Coiege.
Commissions Kelly and Mrs. Clara NJ. Williams, ex-
Commissioner. Papers were read by Mrs. Doepp. on
"The Status OF the Old Senior Department by Mrs.
Marion L. Coppernoll on Culture Translated Into
Character; by Mrs. Susan Kecham Bourne. on
Memories and Hopes" and by Miss Mary Schoo-
maker on THE Evil OF Excluding Women from the
Highest Positions In Educational Institutions. Mrs
NJ. c. Harrison gave historical sketch OF the school
and Mrs Eleanor Davle Dunn read an amusing orig
inal poem on Personal Equation" 1t was parody
on "Hiawatha," and pictured the horrors OF an ex-
animation for place on the eligible list
The Rev. Dr. Thomas s. Hastings. president OF
Union Theological Seminary, opened the exercises
with reading Of the Scriptures and prayer.
Mrs. Williams spoke of Miss wadeighs patriotism.
and said there many present who helped to
make the flag that was raised over the school imme
M poepp Cleared H
the old Senior Department that had arisen from the
said to be in the Senior Department. The old Senior
Department came 10 an end she said, when the Nor
mission to 1t were the those OF the college.
Mrs. Harrison gave amusing account OF the
''on The first day" she said. Miss Wadlegh and
her four assistants. Miss Holman Miss Ranney
Miss Swift and Mile. Achert had the classrooms
entirely to themselves. for 10 pupils appeared The
next day weeping VINO ha n
the ward. were led In by the trustees. They soon
pupils came than could be admitted. This led to
the opening of the Normal College. and the trans
sehoo os se With the prDcpa Mss wadesh
Mrs. Coppernoll, in her paper on culture. spoke
theorists. She hoped they would soon decide what
was the d best way Of ,be children to READ
ignorance.
in the school, and concluded with the hope that
the city would make of It a Wadleigh High School
for Girls and place II under feminine direction.
BISHOP POTTERS GREETING.
Bishop Potter congratulated the ladies on the
progress Of their since the opening of the
school, and said ne had special reason TO he proud
of 1t. since he supposed he was the only one pres
ent who had daughter who had voted for McKin-
ley. The lady lives in Colorado, and has the right
Ike other citizens OF her sex, of voting for the
Character of Miss Wadeieh. and said that ali the
educaton n machinery in the world would not make
DR. HUNTER TALKS
Dr. Hunter said Miss wadleigh had been his
right hand in raising the Normal College TO it's
present position. and he thinks. moreover. that no
man can do his best work without n woman behind
him He said Miss Wadlegh was the greatest
teacher he had ever known. and that all the prn-
cipals who succeeded her had been moro than
usually capable women. In conclusion he sug-
eested that a mural tablet containing the names Of
all the principals from 1856 to the present day
should be placed in the school
A tablet TO the memory OF the trustees who
founded It has already been placed at It's en-
trance but there is memorial 10 Its first prin-
cipal or her successors
Commissioner Kelly threw out hint that the
Board of Education might not take the old school
for a High School. and said that II committee
Of the graduates would wait on the High school
Committee and express their wishes In the mat,
ter he no reason why one OF the proposed
high schools should not bear Miss Wadleigh's
. ,. ,,- ,.. A..
The assembly, thereupon put It's wishes Into the
he the bearer Of the message to the committee.
There was only one objection TO the resolution.
and that was made by Mrs. Bourne. She wanted the
old Twelfth Street School to bear Miss Wadleigh's
name and be the first High School for girls. Miss
MARY Willard. on the contrary. thought that the
school named after Miss Wadleigh should be the
finest that money and modern science could buiid
Among those present In the audience was MISS
Holman. a member Of Miss Wadlesh's orignaii
taft Of teachers: Dr. Mary Putnam jacob. one OF
The graduates telegraphed that she was prevented
by an engagement from being present ana mayor
strong sent word that he was detained by official
duties