The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-01
TWAS A BRILLIANT SCENE.
HIGH SCHOOLS CLOSING EXERCISES
AT THE THEATER.

the school ApprOpriatiOn-The
Graduates and Their Essays.
With a display Of white organizes and
white duck trousers. flowers, music and
Demosthenean defamation, the com
mencement exercises Of the High School
were rounded off last night in the presence
of large audience.
1t was the largest class that has ever
graduated from the High School, and the
closing exercises were of unusual inter
est
Long before the hour for the beginning
of the programme the theater was fairly
filed with eager spectators Of the families
of the participants in the exercises and
the friends and patrons of the school.
From the salutatory to the valedictory,
there was that interest and charm about
the programme that does not always OBJ
tain, and the young people, rejecting the
capabnity Of the teachers and the excel
lent discipline through which they have
been put during the school term, acquit-
ted themselves with credit.
The exercises we're commenced with
prayer by Rev j. Y Fair, d. D., pastor
Of the Independent Presbyterian church,
who invoked the blessings of Divine Provi-
dence upon the domgs of the hour. The
prayer was full of earnestness and started
off the exercises in quite the spirit of
solemnity that lebongs to such occasions.
After prayer there was song by the
graduating class, entitled "Tyrolese,"
which was sung with telling effect and
won loud and long applause. After this
came the salutatory by Miss Resale
Brown, which was far above the average
greetings that are usually given on SINH
lar occasions. II was greatly enjoyed as
evidenced by the liberal applause that fol-
lowed.
Two bright young ladies discussed the
question, rs Bicycling UnwomanlyY'
Miss Viola Eckstein taking the afilrma-
tive and advancing many good reasons
to show that young ladies should not, with
proper regard for social position and the
delicate little demands Of propriety, ride
a wheel; while Miss Genevieve Dupon took
the negative and made as many good
points to show that bicycling is a perfect
~ proper diversion and exercise. This part
of the programme was a hit In every sense
of the word dealing, as it did with
modern and current question.
The Hunters Chorus" was rendered in
an admirable way by the chorus. Next
came the Rotations, or essays, "Ameri-
can Idioms" by Miss Jennie Lynes, and
Good Roads," by Devereaux Bacon.
The essay on Health" by Louis Hal
pert was omitted, for the reason that the
young man who had prepared the essay,
and who had won readers place, was
Greek and asked TO be excused for the
reason that he cannot speak the English
language with sufficient fluency to pre-
vent embarrassment.
The song soft and Low" was rendered
in sweet and charming way, and was
cheered loudly.
Another question of the day was pro-
pounded-"Is the Right of Suffrage De
moralizing to Women" 1t was discussed
affirmativey by Miss Irene Putzel and
negatively by Miss Freda Traub. Both
essays were well prepared and showed
thorough study of the question. The ap-
plause which followed the discussion
showed with what relish the audience re-
ceived the essays.
Education was the subject of a very
interesting paper by CORTLAND Jones,
which was well received. The young man
presented it with telling effect.
The Marsellaise hymn has never lost its
inspiration when sung by chorus, and
when sung by the graduates it stirred the
audience to applause.
The valedictory to school authorities
touching reference to the careful attention
which had been given during the session
by the dutiful teachers and his ADDRESS
was particularly pleasing and enjoyable.
1t was greeted with a storm of applause.
The valedictory to school-mates by Miss
Maud Schaeffer was equally touching and
full of pathetic appeals to the members of
the graduating class. 1t was likewise re-
ceived with much applause which bespoke
the appreciatiOD given it,
The response to the valedictories by Jul
Illus Hohenstein Of the second grade was in
keeping with the high order OF the recita-
tions and addresses and was literally APP
plauded Master Hohenstein is one OF
the brightest of the under graduates, and
his response to the farewels of the grad
uating class was all that It could be and
should be.
Following upon the valedictories and the
response was a song, Light as Air. the
full chorus joining in the melody and
making sweet music with the refrain.
After this II was announced that Hon.
T. M. Norwood who had been selected 20
deliver the address to graduates, was pre-
vented from being present by sickness.
This announcement was received with gem
uine and general regret among the audi
ence.
The closing feature Of the programme
was the address OF Col George A. Mer-
Ger president OF the board of education,
at the conclusion Of which he delivered
the diplomas.
Col. Mercer made a stirring address to
the school and the audience. He was elo-
quent and particularly forceful In what
he had to say concerning the status of
affairs which now confronts the schools
of the city and county precipitated by the
cutting down Of the appropriation for the
support OF the educational institutions
II want to preface my remarks" he
sad, "on this occasion. by saying some
thing concerning the conditions of the
schools. As most of you may know, the
board Of education has been compelled TO
make some marked restrictions an the
management OF the schools. and for the
next school term we will have no DEPART
ment Of drawing or music the night
school will be abolished. and we will have
70 restore the tuition fees in the Higb
School All this Is due TO the parsimonv
OF the county authoritics ] do not sneak
for the board Of education In what / ann
about 10 say. for j do not undertake 10 say
that o2ch member OF the board Will concur
Ia my utteranccs along this line. but do
soeak for myself and declare that mo-
grayer violation OF their duty could have
been made than the cutting down OF no
educational appropriation / submit tbat
they have violated their duties under IN.
constitution OF the state. That constltutior