Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-08
RAND0LPH-MACON.
The Joint COmmencement-A Bril-
liant Scene-Contests


LYNCHBURG, VA, June 7.-CSpeciaI)-
The joint exercises of the Randolph-Ma-
con system Of schools was opened this
morning in Moormans Warehouse at $3.50
o'clock. In the bright sunlight of the plea
SAINT morning the scene presented in the
auditorium was indeed good to look upon
The draping Of the entire edifice had
been most skllfully carried out, the CELL
ing being covered with blue and white
CLOTH while the sides of the building are
hidden by artistic folds OF orange and
black. The well-built stage, extending the
entire width of the spacious auditorium,
and decorated with potted plants and
flowers, affords plenty of room for the
speakers, visitors, and contestants for
honors. The acoustic properties are
good, and arrangements have been made
to comfortably seat two or three thousand
people.
The pupils of the different schools and
colleges being among the first to arrive,
the spare time was utilized by Professor
j. w. Eure, OF Ashland, for a rehearsal OF
college songs, accompanied by the Hill
City Franklin Band, and interspersed with
the different college yells of the system,
some of which Occasioned hearty laugh
ter.
CONTESTS.
Upon the arrival OF Chancellor Smith.
the representatives of the various educa-
tional establishments OF the system took
their places on the stage, as well as
those pupils who were 10 contest for the
elocution and declaimer's medals After
music by the band and prayer by Rev
oscar Littleton, the first number was an
10 Iaft1 I.
Chalmers medal of Randolph Macon
Academy. of Bedford City. Mr.. j. X
Holman opened with a humorous selec-
lion entitled, Uncle Peter and the Troll
ley Car" detailing the troubles of an old
country darby and his mule on a trip 20
the CITY. The speaker portrayed the old
negro In excellent manner, and when he
.i...sneu brought forth a well-merited
round Of applause. He was followed by
Mr.. w. h. Wood, who acclaimed i'm thrill
ing style an historical poem of the Revo-
lutionary-war period, the BLACK Horse
and His Rider" which was listened to
with rapt attention and well received
Between this contest and the next the
pupils OF the Bedford school, accompa-
MED by the band, rendered with much
spirit an Academy Song" the words Of
which were composed by Vert Holloway,
pupil.
who are said TO rule the land at this sea-
son, then occupied the stage in a contest
for the Sullivan recitation medal of the
Randolph Macon Institute, of Danvile,
the first being Miss jamie Howard. who
had chosen dialect story, "Rubaiyat Of
Doc Sifers," which she delivered clearly
and naturally, TO the great pleasure OF her
hearers. 1.-The Set of Turquoise" a dra-
matte reading full of tragic situations,
- hxr
whose gestures, delivery. and facial ex-
preston interpreted the story so that her
hearers followed her with almost breath
less interest. The young ladies of the
Danvile Institute then closed their part
OF the programme with their favorite
song, "The Lemon in Black" in the cho-
rus Of which they were assisted by the
young men Of the system.
MORE TO ENTER.
The other contests were as follows:
Contest for declaimer's medal OF Ran |
Academy, Front Royal. Con- |
testants, ]. William Knight-subject, 1.-THE !
Debating Society" and j. L. Humphrey, |
subject, "Laska."
Contest for Woman's College medal for |
elocution. Contestants: Nellie Under |
wood-subject. THE Courtin' OF TNow-
heads Bill" and Kathryn p. AGREE. sub
ject "Parhassius and the Captive"
Contest for Woman's College medal, for |
best address. Contestants: Addie Taylor
subject. THE Supremacy of the Anglo
Saxon Race" and Sadie Jacobs, subject,
Demand Of Our Civilization"
Contest for Sutherlin orators medal, OF
Macon College, Ashland. Con-
testants: Il. Raymond Hill-subject. THE
Price OF Progress; b. A. Wise, subject.
THE Power OF Noble Example; u.
X. OdeIl. subject. DE Oratoribus." and 3.
M. Janney, subject, what For?'
The names OF the successful contestants
for the above honors will not be made
known until the final exercises on Thurs
dav.
This afternoon the field sports were |
hsld NJ the baseball grounds In River |