Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-03-19

never fail in its mission of civil govern
ment if it has a successful and we'll
Kept system Of public schools no mat
ter what is done in other departments,
ana do not mean to depreciate any
one or them. But as our fathers built
the school house and maintained
| the common public school for the uni
versal benefit of the people Of the coun-
try, as they saw its value IN the pioneer
days, so we see and regard the value of
the influence Of those schools. fostered
then in adversely, nourlshed now in
luxury. We are glad that within this
land of ours there is a chance for each
and all to receive an education that will
mt one for any position the country af-
fords. We are glad not only because we
feel deeply for the welfare of our youth,
but because we know the welfare of the
country Itself is closely allied to the
success of our educational institutions.
AS the chief magistrate of Worces-
ter, looking over the field of municipal
enterprise and municipal work. | am
glad that the system of proper educa-
ton has been extended so as not only
to furnish opportunity for children and
youth of the city in the day schools and
in the high schools, but that the extern
sion and growth Of the system has
brought higher education within the
reach of those who, for various reasons,
cannot avail themselves of the day
privileges. 1t is particularly pleasant
to feel that in this branch of work
there is brought out something more
than mere mechanical acquisition of
knowledge. You are coming here of
your own free will and accord, from a
genuine and intense desire for educa-
ton. You have the advantage Of the
pupils of the day schools, who, perhaps,
in other respects, have the ADVANTAGE
of you. 1 presume from time ito time
the nature of youth has changed little.
When l was young I noticed that We
boys and girls were rather driven to
study, rather forced to apply ourselves
to what was a task. While we conduct
ed ourselves so as to reflect credit on
our parents, teachers and committee
men, very few of us looked forward
with any great eargerness to the time
when school began and we counted the
day and weeks before school should
close with great eagerneSs.
l trust that the prophecy of your prin-
cipal will be fulfilled, and that in time
not only 1000, but 5000 pupils will be re-
ceiVing this valuable instruction. This
work has gone beyond the experimental
stage 1t is firmly fixed as one of our
institutions, as is shown by the keen
interest and the large attendance. The
municipality of Worcester looks with
much pride on the work accomplished.
The work is a foundation for life's sue
cess. 1t is good that we have not only
the opportunity but the courage and
disposition to seek out the education
which leads to the royal road. The
self-made men, the self-made women
have always stood out prominently in
the history of the state and nation, and
we bid you godspeed in the development
of the character and sterling worth
shown by your attention and eagerness
to procure this priceless jewel"
After a chorus, Eye banks and braes
of Bonnie Doom" Chairman Alden of the
school committee was introduced He
said:
eve are living in an age of speciali-
zation. There was time when a man
could become well informed by reading,
but such is not the case now. Educa-
ton is for power, and power is for the
benefit of mankind. Intellectual attain
ments are not always the thing most to
be desired. The moral power Of right
choice is better. On it a great deal
depends. 1t may open way to success
beyond your dreams. Abraham Lincoln
chose to study law in the log cabin
rather than to follow the easy life of
those about him. 1t opened much for
him Success and contentment in life
mean progress. The direction of life
is Of more importance than the distance
gone over"
Superintendent Carroll asked and an
swered few questions. He told of the
extent of the evening school work which
now occupies 20 rooms. He said it was
free of expense to all, and explained
how much it did, particularly in
teaching foreigners the English lam
guage. 1t is OF inestimable worth to
the city in elevating its citizens to a
higher plane of living. 'tOur success, 9
he said, depends much ON the way in
which we improve our chances This
training enables you to earn more
money, to occupy a higher place in the
world If you leave school at the eighth
grade, you are pretty sure to never earn
more than laborer's pay, but if you Sc
cure our diploma, you are pretty sure
never to have to work for that amount.
hope soon for an exhibition of all the
work done in our schools, day and eve
ming"
The presentation of diplomas was then
made by Chairman Finn. Edward
Keane was given the firstt diploma ever
granted in the evening high school for
full course in regular work. In a com
pleted course of stenography and short
hand, M. Anna Brady, Alfred E. For
est and Nora G. O'Brien were given
certificates, and for completed course
of bookkeeping Matthew ]. Gray, Fran
els j. Harmon, Frederick Labonte, For
est E. Martin, Albert E. Tunstall and
Nelson ]. Whitman received certificates.
Certificates were given to 255 pupils
for one years work, divided into depart
ments as follows Arithmetic, 81; LIST
year book keeping, 46; LIST year stenog-
raphy, %; English literature, IS; gram
mar, II; typewriting, IS; German, 10;
physics, 70; Geography, IL; Algebra, 10;
chemistry, 10; history, 8; civil govern
ment, Z; geometry, 6.
The program closed with the singing
of 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" by Mrs,
Ruggles, the company joining in the
chorus.
PRINCE IN HARTFORD