Evening star., 1898-06-07
GRADUATES IN LAW
Seventy-Siz Disciples of Blackstone
Receive Their Degrees.
FORFY-SIX POSf-GRADUATES HONORED
The Annual Commencement Exer-
cises of Georgetown University.
Al ARDS OF PRIZ E S

Seventy-six young disciples of Black
stone, students of Georgetown University
Law School, received their diplomas last
night and were sent forth in the world TO
prosecute the criminal, defend the right
eous and untangle many legal Gordian
knot. Forty-six men of more mature age,
post-graduates, received higher degrees in
their profession.
The twenty-seventh annual commence
ment exercises of the law department OF
the famous old university were held last
night at the New National Theater, which
was crowded to the topmost gallery with d
fashionable audience. In the upper gar
lery were a large number of undergradu-
ates. who kept the air lively with their col
lege yels and calls. The auditorium OF the
theater was profusely decorated with Amer
lean flags, red, white and blue bunting ana
green and white bunting, the whole inter-
spersed here and there with blue and gray
the colors of Georgetown
The stage was handsomely set and pre-
sented the appearance OF a flower sdrueh
of rare beauty Seats were arranged, III
the midst of ferns and potted plants, 1or
the graduates, members of the facuIty anu
invited guests. On the right-hand side OF
the proscenium was draped an immense
Cuban flag, while on the other side huhS
an American flag of equal size. In the cen
ter of the stage was suspended norai par
of justice scales, the hanging baskets at
either end of the supporting lever being IN
tertwined with minute red, white and blue
incandescent lights. From the center of
the scales hung floral scroll, on which
was lettered in red, Georgetown UnlVer-
sity, Law Department. '9S." Calcium ef-
fects enhanced the beauty OF the rear set
ting OF the stage
The Graduates Appear.
1t was but few minutes after O'Clock
ba du1te
came on the stage and took their seats to
the left. The candidates for diploma
honors were attired in immaculate even
ing dress, the left lapels Of their coats
being decorated with a red boutonniere.
The post-graduates were similarly attired,
their mark of distinction being a white
boutonniere. Haley's Band, which had
render ed several selections up 10 this time,
including THE Georgetown University
March" composed by the leader himself.
burst forth in a medley of patriotic
airs arouSing the greatest enthusiasm.
Dixie was especially pleasing to the col
lege boys, and when it was played they
cheered themselves hoarse. The medley
concluded with The Star spangled Ban
ner.'' the entire audience rising in their
places TO attest their appreciation.
on the stage and in the audience were
many prominent people, including repre-
sentatives of the judiciary, senators and
representatives. the District Commissioners
and prominent business men, The appear
ancc of Gen. NJ c. Butler on the stage was
the signal for prolonged applause. Senator
TIllman occupied a box. Senators Roach
and McLaurin were present, as were also
Judge Tyner Judge Cole, ex-Commissoner
Douglass and the prominent members of
the faculty of the college
Change in Term of Study.
Rev. Jerome Daugherty. s. J., presided
over the exercises of the evening in the alb
sence of Father Richards, who was not
present on account of illness. Father
Daugherty announced that. beginning with
the coming fall session, the degree of LII.
3. would be conferred by the college
only on those students who had completed
a three years course of study, instead of
two years, heretofore. This step was
necessary, he said, to properly prepare the
student for the rigorous examinations re-
quired nowadays before he is admitted to
practice before the bar. 1t was also neces-
sary to keep Georgetown in the front rank
of the colleges of the country.
Assisted by the secretary of the college,
Mr. Samuel NJ Geatman, Father Daugher-
ty conferred the degree Of bachelor of law
on the graduates and the degree of master
of law on the post-graduates. There were
many favorttes in the classes, who receiv-
ed ovations Is they were given the precious
roll of parchment, Latin inscribed. Among
the more popular of the boys were Mr..
Martin T. Conboy and Mr.. Frederick
Schade, both being greeted with college
yells-
No. Youmans' Address.
Following this ceremony the orchestra
rendered several selections, and Mr.. Jere
NJ. Wilson presented the orator of the
evening, Mr.. Leroy F. Youmans of South
Carolina. Mr. Youmans spoke at great
length. toward the close of his remarks
being interrupted time and again by the
impatient students and audience. The ad-
dress was good one. but the auditors
seemed to regard 1t as very much too pro-
tractsd-
"One more point and 1 am done" finally
declared the speaker.
Then pandemonium broke loose in the
audience. The boys cheered and the entire
audience Joined in making a fearful racket
When the speaker concluded the applause
was deafening. He was presented with a
large basket of flowers.
Mr.. Youmans spoke on political and eco
nomic questions and compared at some
length the common law in vogue in many
of the United States today with that in
practice in England at the beginning of
the present century. His address was re-
plete with legal terms and quotations. while
he often discussed judicial decisions The
orator aroused some enthusiasm by speak
Ing OF the present war saying that in an
emergency we could put into the field an
army of nillions-superior in number to
the army OF Xerxes- They would not be
men taken from the crowded cities and
factories, as would be the case in Europe
but would be fresh from the fields-hcaIthy
and ready to fight. Speaking of the an
cestors of the American people, he said we
are the heirs of the best blood of the ages
The Awards.
The award of prizes was made by Mr.
Wilson. who said:
"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
ject, among the members of the POSTCARD
uste class A prize is furnished by Messrs.
T * j. W. Johnson & Co. OF Philadelphia
Of set of Smiths Leading Cases to be
awarded for the best essay in the senior
and postgraduate classes, combined The
essays offered in competition for these prizes
were referred to a committee consisting of
Aessrs- Edward II. Thomas and Henry p
Bl2i-, and in accordance with their finding
the prizes are awarded as follows:
Faculty cash prize of $40, to Mercer
Hampton Magruder of Maryland for the
best essay from among the members of the
senior class. Subject: The Law of In
functions as Applied to Boycotts and
Strikes
Faculty cash prize Of $40, to James Car
ter Cook Of Georgia, for the best essay
from among the members Of the post-Erad.