The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-06-10
Night" and 1.-The Fairy Ring"

She said that for 1000 years the
Egyptian pyramids have stood as a
symbol Of strength. She likened
character building to pyramid build
ing, emphasizing the need of a good
foundation, and speaking of the force
of inherited tendencies, habits, etc.
Her del livery was excellent.
Mr.. Leidloff's grafton on "The Am
bition of Russia"was in many respects
one of the best on the program His
voice and delivery leave little room
for improvement, and he showed
much familiarity with passing events
of world Importance. He briefly out
lined the history of Russia, paying
due attention to the great work of
Peter the Great and Catherine II.
He referred to the building of the
trans, Siberian railway, Russia s
present influence on China and her
recent acquisition of two ice free sea
ports in the Pacific. He spoke OF
Russia's greed for territory, and pre-
dicted that while England is guard
ing her Eastern possessions, Russia
will absorb Turkey. Great Britain
now stands alone, confronted by
Russia, Germany and France, which
explains why she seeks an Anglo
American alliance, which would be the
STRONGEST in the world
Miss Osborn gave an grafton upon
"Tramps," which was practical and
up-to-date. She spoke Of the growth
of the evil in recent years, particular
ly since improved methods of trans
portation have made travelling more
comfortable. The number of tramps
is increasing at such rate that their
determination is becoming a serious
economic question. Miss Osborn
mentioned several plans that are be-
ing tried with success in the east to
handle the tramp nuisance, and said
| that any action which would make
labor laws and enforce them could be-
come comparatively free from tramps.
A girls chorus sang Hunters
Song" with much effact.
Miss Dredge gave an grafton on
"Moral instruction in our Schools"
She said that to certain extent in
tellectua development causes cor
responding development in the moral
sense. for wherever we find intellec
tual development we find civilization.
Few of our schools and colleges give
instruction In this branch, and ill.,
struction in morality today is scarcely
more definite than among the an
clients. 1t is truthful criticism of
present curriculums that the orna-
mental comes before the useful. No
instruction is given in such useful
subjects as conversation, choice of a
profession, etc. This grafton was ma
ture in thought and was given with
distinctness.
Mr.. Wizards grafton on "Muni-
cipal Control'' was well prepared and
we'll deliveled. He referred to the
need of light, transportation facilities
and pure water in abundance in
cities, and laid that these should be
controlled by the government and
not by mmopolies. 1t is an open
question whether the argument is
true that there is more economy in
private thai in public management.
1t depends upon the people to say
when municipal mismanagement
shall cease. We can declare war to
avenge the Maine disaster, but we
can allow 1900 people to die yearly in
Chicago from impure water. Mr..
Willard spoke Of the poor service and
shameful treatment of their employees
by companies which water their
stock.
Miss Thompson was the valedicto-
rian, and the subject of her grafton
was "The Industrial States of the
South" She referred to the indus.
trial growth of the South since the
war, but said that that section does
not reach firth it's hand and take
what nature has offered. Speaking
to parents and friends, she thanked
them for Their efforts and encourage
ment. Turning to the school board,
she said thai it had been an incen-
tive to merit the approval Of it's men,
bers. She said to the teachers that
of all connected with school life, they
would remain in memory the longest,
and to them the class extended its
love and best wishes for their con-
tinued success. Miss Thompson then
said few words of farewell to the
class, which stood while she addressed
it.
Supt. Varney then advanced and
invited the people of Mankato to
manifest their interest in the city
schools by day or two next year to
visit these schools, where their chill
dren are receiving their education.
Mankato is blessed with schools of
special purpose, and for these he had
nothing but words of commentator.
The high school, which has been fit