Evening star., 1897-06-08
GRADUATES IN LAW
Commencement Exercises of George
town University last Evening.
CLASSOF 0NEHUNDRD AlDFORrY-SIX
Addresses by President Richards and
Senator White, RESPECTIVELY.
THE PRIZES AND DEGREES

The twenty-sixth annual commencement
of the law department of Georgetown Uni
versity took place last evening at the New
National Theater, in the presence of a
large and representative audience.
Long before the hour for opening the
doors arrived many hundreds of persons
were gathered in the vicinity of the build
ing, waiting anxiously for admittance to
the theater, and at o'clock, when the
doors were closed, it being impossible for
any more to be accommodated inside the
house, many scores were left standing out
side.
The theater presented a magnificent ap-
pearance. The boxes, pillars and galleries
were decorated with flags and bunting, and
the stage with elegant palms and other
growing plants. Above the stage was an
immense floral SCROLL inscribed Glass of
97," to the left of which there was perched
g. large stuffed owl, whose eyes, formed of
miniature electric lamps. winked orninously
at intervals upon the audience. Hundreds
of electric lights scattered among the dec
orations served to render the scene both
brilliant and beautiful.
The Guests.
Those on the platform, besides the JAG
members of the graduating class, were: Rev.
]. Havens Richards, S. j., president of the
university; Judge Martin F. Morris, Judge
Seth Shepard, Jere M. Wilson, dean of the
university faculty; Judge Louis E. Nc
Comas, Rev. Rene Holland, S. j.. lecturer
on natural law, Georgetown University;
Prof. Charles A. Douglass, Prof. Michael J.
Tolbert, assistant United States attorney;
D. w. Baker, Job Barnard, Henry w.
Sohon, Harry w. Hodges, Samuel M. Yeat-
man, Granville M. Hunt, Rev. DR.. b. L.
Whitman, president of Columbian Univer-
sity; Rev. DR.. B. F. Bittinger, Rev. DR..
Mott, Rev. Dr. C. c. Meador, ex-Civil Serv-
ice Commissioner Charles Lyman, J. Nota
McGll, John r. Davis, Col. Jas. G. Payne,
Simon Wolf, Rev. DR.. Howard Wilbur En-
mis- and Senator Stephen M. White of Cali
fOrnia.
After number of selections. rendered by
Haley's Concert Band, the opening address
university. who, in the course of his re-
marks, reviewed the history of the law
school, and then said, in part:
Signs of Progress.
Zone of the most encouraging signs of
progress in the educational institutions of
the day seems to me to be the great in
terest taken and advancement made in
legal education. This is due almost entire
ly to the efforts of the American Bar As
sociation, which has standing committee
whose constant aim is to elevate the stand
the legal profession.
There is a general emulation among all
the law schools Of the United States to at
tain the standard of excellence set by the
American Bar As>ociation. The legal
faculty of Georgetown University several
years ago made up its mind that it would
not be left behind III the race, and we be-
lieve that the school is now at the head Of
the list"
Dr. Richards referred at some length to
the necessity for the lawyers OF the pres
ent day to know comparatively everything,
and said that in consequence of an :.grec-
ment made with the faculty Of The Colun-
bian University, and at the sugScstion of
the faculty of the latter. headed ~ Presi-
dent Whitman, it had been agreed that,
commencing next year, students would
have to attend lectures three years instead
of two, as at present, to earn the degree
of bachelor of laws, and would, OF course
have to pass all the usual examinations.
The names of the members of The
graduating class were called by Secretary
Yeatman, and as the young mel. passed.
before President Richards, the latter land
ed them their diplomas.
Senator Whites Address.
Senator S. NJ. White Of California was
introduced to the audience by Jare NJ. VIII
son. dean of the faculty. Senator Write
was greeted with great applause, both on
the part of the students of the University
and of the audience. The senator made an
address to the graduates which was full OF
good advice. He cautioned them not TO
think, now that they had graduated from
the university, that their work was corr
plete, but to emulate the example W the
eminent men who have gone before them.
There is much before them to do, ne s.tiu,
and they would find they wo'ild nave 10
spend many hours and days III toll II .hey
would become successful. He ursea tnsm
not to depend upon influence, ana faid
while 1t might he true that each might be
once employed by some person bcca,'se
that person was acquainted with his tather
or his mother, or his sister or brother, ne
could not hope to retain that business IN I'M
less he were able of himself to look after
1t. Mr.. White was frequently interrupted
by applause, and at the conclusion OF MS
remarks was presented with. most mag
nif,cent basket of American beauty roses.
After music by the band, the prizes we're
awarded by Mr.. Jere NJ. Wilson,
Essay Prizes.
A cash prize of $40 is annually awarded
to the author of the best essay upon any
legal subject, among the members OF the
senior class, and cash prize Of $40 to the
author Of the best essay on any legal Sub
jeet, among the members of the post-Erad-
uate class. In addition to these prices,
there was furnished by Msssrs. I. q j. w.
Johnson & Co. Of Philadelphta set, In
to be awarded for the best essay In the
senior ard postgraduate classes combined.
The essays offered in competition for these
prizes were referred to committee, con-
sisting of Messrs. L4sonard H. Poole and
John ]. Hamilton, and in accordance with
its finding the prices were awarded as fol-
lows:
The faculty cash prize Of $40 to James l.
Fitzsilnmons of Wisconsin, for the best
essay from among the members of the
senior class. Subject. .-Stare decisis
The faculty cash prize of $40 to James A.
Ryan Of Tennessee, for the best essay from
among the members Of the postgraduate
class. Subject. Are the Secrets Obtained
in the Confessional by a Roman Catholic
Priest Confidential Communications in the
Law of Evidence?'
The special prize Of set Of Smiths
Leading Cases." to James 1. Fttxsimmons
of Wisconsin. for the BEST essay from
among the members Of the senior and post
graduate classes combined
Class PrisRsl
A cash prize Of $50 to tGa aae6hber OF the
junior class maintaining the bEst average
In recitations and examinations during the
year was awarded to EdsAraBSVeriy Sher-
rill of North Carolina.
cash prize of SO to the member of the