The times., 1899-06-08
GRADUATES LISTEN
TO SOUND ADVICE
Fourteenth Commencement of
Woods Commercial College.
Orange and Purple Banners Wave
at the National Theatre.
Diplomas Given TO n Large Class of
Students-MednIsA Awarded for
Excellence in studies.

The fourteenth annual commencement of
Woods Commercial College was held last
night at the National Theatre. 1t was one
OF the most successful affairs of the kind
in the history of the institution. The hot
weather did not prevent the friends of
the school and students from attending
in force. After selections by the orches-
ira, the graduates, sixty-three in num-
Der, came upon the stage the ladies from
the left and the men from the right. There
were already seated Prof. Court F. Wood,
principal of the school; the Rev. William
Devries. rector of ST. Marks Pro-Cathe-
dral Church, and Capt. Henry A. Castle,
Auditor of the Postoffice Department. The
rear of the stage was banked with palms,
while along the footlights were roses,
palms, and daisies. The flowers which
were to be presented to the graduates after
the exercises were placed around the
speakers table in the centre of the stage.
At each end were purple and orange BAN
ners, the school colors. while above all
were the American colors, and floral de-
sign presented by the graduates. The in
vocation and prayer were made by the Rev.
William L. Devries, followed by selection
by the Marine Band Orchestra, led by
troduced the speaker of the evening. Capt.
Henry A. Castle. In developing his sub
ject, Captain Castle said in part: He
who stands in the vestibule of life, de-
termining his guiding principles, needs in
spiration rather than precept. The phil
osophy which teaches by example is likely
TO be more useful and abiding. a charac-
ter conforms to the influences OF inspiring
ideals and the lessons of great career
a sf..
The speaker thought that Benjamin
Franklin was the most versatile man in
history. He was the first distinctive Amer
ican, a typical Yankee, and a man who
was a commanding figure in the Revolu-
tionary War This man he considered TO
be an instructive example to the students
who would receive their diplomas and take
their start in life. Franklin was practi-
cal, energetic, and diligent in business,
and those starting in business in this era
would do well TO follow the line he mark
ed out. Captain Castle spoke of Abraham
Lincoln as a typical American TO be emu
lated by the generation of today. At the
close of Captain Castles address a cornet
solo by o. E. Eberhardt was given. This
was followed by the presentation of diplo-
mas by Prof Foster Wood Prof Wood
said, in presenting the diplomas: Having
successfully completed the course in the
business college after a creditable exami-
nation, these diplomas are a declaration
TO the public of your proficiency and COM
potency as accountants"
After the presentation of diplomas an
address was made by the Rev. William l..
Devries. He presented gold medals to
students for the excellence of the essays
submitted in competition The following
prizes were awarded to the writers of the
best compositions: Elizabeth Clancy,
District of Columbia, prize medal pre-
| sented by Thomas W. Smith; Ethel M.
Phillips, Louisiana, medal presented by
]. D. Croissant; Sidney Craig, New Hamp
shire, gold medal. In the competition for
medals presented by the school the fol-
| lowing prizes were awarded:
shorthand-For greatest improvement and adapt
ability Walter Addison English OF the District o
Columbia.
Typewriting-For greatest improvement, adapt
ability, and greatest amount of work, Hattie
Strong Stow. OF the District Of Columbia.
General scholarship shorthand, and typcwrit
| ing-For greatest improvement in both shorthand
and typewriting, Jessie Rosela Edelen, of Mary
land.
ability, neatness, and penmanshp, Elizabeth c
Nichols, of Pennsylvania.
Arithmetic-For greatest improvement, Berthi
Taylor, Of the District OF Columbia.
| Penmanship-For greatest improvement, Free
/
Spclling-For greatest Improvement, william
| Joseph Schneider, of the District of Columbia.
Letter writing-For best set of letters and essay
/ for the year, J. Howard wilkins, Of the Distric
| OF Columbia.
| General scholarship. business dspartmcnt-Fo
| greatest improvement shown in the month";
! examinations, Charles Marsland Carter, of tn
| District Of Columbia.
General scholarship. combined course-For great
| est improvement in all branches in the combine
course. Julia Elizabeth Lambert, Of Maryland.
After music by the orchestra the bene
diction was pronounced.
The graduating class was as follows.
John r. Atkinson. James S Barber. E. c. Brian
| Miss Julia c. Brittingham, Miss +. NJ. Burns
/ Charles NJ. Carter Miss May A. Casiday, Leo
Cohen, Miss Margaret Columbus, Miss PeaI
Sidney Craig Walter f. Dittmeyer Miss Sally
| Picking Miss Katharine A. Clancy, Miss Eliza
beth Clancy, Miss Mary l.. Goldsmith, Robert c
lngersoll, Miss Julia E. Lambert, Thomas ". Lar
caster Robert r. Miskimon, John W. Mitchell
Watson W. Newton, Miss Elizabeth c. Nichoi
Miss Augusta A. Noebe, William j. Schretllel
William Schultz, Miss Bertha Taylor, Miss Banch
Theaker, Miss Elizabeth Tippett, Fred L. Waite
Fred Nelson webber, Joseph A. West, J. Howar
wilkins O. f. Boyer, Miss Alice f. Cooley, Mi
p. s Craig, Miss Janet Crump, Miss Jessie
Edelen. Walter A. English, Miss Eva FauleoIe
John w Fenton Miss Ida C. Ford, MissaCatl
crime A. Clancy, Miss Mary L. Goldsmith. II,
Iialam, William II. Harrison, Miss Minnie
Ifaukness. Richard NJ. Hicks. Miss Cora Holm
berger, Miss Eddice Perkins, Miss Ethel Mir
Phillips, Thomas n. Pirtle. Miss Eva b. Pitche
Miss Minnie Repetti George c. Slinn, Erne
Smith, Miss Hattie S. Stow, Hampton swan, Mi
Annie NJ. Tyler, Guy p Warren, Joseph A. Wes