The times., 1899-06-22
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
Graduating Exercises Held in
Convention Hall.
The Scholars Addressed by Commits
siOner Ross.
Remarks of Rev. f. VI. Bristol
The Awarding Of Certificates
TO Scholars.

Two hundred and nve members OF the
senior class of the Washington High
School were graduated in Convention Hall
last night, amid appropriate addresses from
Washington's most distinguished and rep
resentative men and the good wishes of
an audience which taxed the capacity of
the auditorium. Long before the hour set
for the exercises the larger part of the
seats were taken and when the graduates
entered standing room was at premium.
The hall was elaborately decorated with
bunting of many colors and the flags of
all nations, together with the national
colors, which occupied a prominent place
above the platform. School colors were
draped in every direction. Above the plat
form on which were seated the graduates
and distinguished guests was a canopy
of pale blue and white, the Eastern en-
b!ems, while the red and dark blue of the
Western and Central were much in evil
dence. After musical programme by the
Marine Band the graduates filed into the
hall to Sousa's High School Cadets"
march. The white gowns of the young
ladies contrasted with the dress suits and
blue uniforms of the boys afforded pretty
spectacle. The entrance of the graduates
was through the main door. The girls
preceded the boys At the aisle in front
of the platform the double column sepa-
rated and the ascent to the raised stage
was made from the sides. The invocation
was pronounced by Rev. DR.. Wallace Rad
cliffe, who invoked Divine blessing on the
senior class of 1899. and all which should
follow in the footsteps of learning they
had taken. Following musical selection,
Hon. John w. Ross was introduced and
said:
Commissioner Ross Address
The year which closes tonight has been
one of the most successful and prosperous
in the history of the public school system
OF the District of Columbia. Many causes
have contributed to this happy result The
Appropriation Committees of the two
houses of Congress have shown conf
dence in and have recognized the import
ance of our school system by appropriate
ing public funds for its equipment and
support.
The influential public press of the Dis
tTict gives voice to public sentiment by
its loyal encouragement and support.
Faithful school officials and superintend-
ents have well performed the duties per-
tanning 10 them; and have, almost with
out exception, worked in harmony with
the District Commissioners. But if there
is any one feature of our school system TO
which the steady progress may be at
tributed more than TO any other, IL is
the rule OF the School Board which pre-
vides for the selection, the retention, and
promotion CT teachers upon merit, and not
for reasons based on influence or on re-
lationship TO persons of official power and
prestige.
Errors in this regard have doubtless oc-
CURED, but they have been the exception
and not the rule. The growth of the
schools may be exhibited by some sta
tistics: During the fiscal year 1889 the
number of teachers was 693; the number
of teachers for the fiscal year 1900 will
be l 1z9. In 1889 the number OF school
buildings owned by the District was II;
the total number including those approx
imated for is now 124. Ten years ago
the total enrolment Of pupils was $4,000;
the enrolment for the year now closing
was $4,000
1T has been the source of sincere graf
ifcaton that the construction of two
buildings for the use of the Manual Train
ing High Schools, one for white pupils
and one for the cclored schools, will soon
begin. Sites have been purchased wholly
satisfactory to the school authorities, and
the plans and architectural designs will
be prepared by architects Of high school
repute. The use of these buildings will
enable the school trustees to round out
has been provided for the lower grades,
and Will ft our young people for remu-
neratiye employment.
1t has been the settled policy of the
recent Boards Of Commissioners to seek to
procure with each school building enough
adjacent land to provide adequate play
ground for the pupils. The end was first
successfully attained in the purchase OF the
site for the Western High School; and the
nj F.,FTo
ings when funds are available therefor.
1T has bsen my privilege on former like
occasions to speak of that organization so
dear to the heart of every Washingtonian
known as the High School Cadets. Three
years ago l said that if ever the United
States should become involved in foreign
war, that there would be found citizens o.
the District of Columbia who had been
trained as members Of the High School
Regiment, who would, as soldiers of the
Republic. show the benefits of their train
ing in that organization. Within the past
year this prediction has been fulfilled AS
members of the First District Regiment.
many Of our High School boys rendered
efficient service in fastening the surrender
of the force of General Toral at Santiago
Many of them have won by their merits
permanent places in the Army, and in the
naval forces of the United States; and
have reflected credit on this High School
and on the District of Columbia And to-
night. while we are celebrating their an
nual High School festival. some of the
High School boys under the tropical skies
Of far off Luzon, are bravely facing dis
ease and death in the defence OF that flag
under whose protection they were reared
and educated. They are putting into prac-
tice the lessons of patriotic devotion to
their country taught them in every grade
of our public school system.
81 will not delay you, close with heart
felt words of congratulation to those dear
young people of the graduating class
They have fairly won all of the honor we
can show to them tonight. May health and
prosperity attend them always"