The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-15

9E AGE-HERALD, THUR
perintendent of education. It was most
eloquent plea for a better system of conn
mon schools in Alabama, the crying need.
he said of the state. Mr.. Abercrombls
was introduced by President Roof.
ut has grown to be custom on occasions
of this kind" said Mr.. Abercrombie, TO
discuss public questions which are soon TO
confront the members III the graduating
class. 1 want to talk to you on that great
question which confronts this state--the
education of its citizc1s.
"They who willingly permit the mind to
remain unedueated, are undermining the
principles of our government. According
to our Ideas, the people themselves are the
sovereigns of the land Shall We let men
who cannot read make our laws and men
who cannot write, execute them
Education, he argued, was the qualiaca-
ton for good citizenship. and the greatest
need of the state is for common eduea ion.
Higher education, UNCONVENTIONAL cduca-
ton, public education, and universal edu-
cation.
problems which vex the state can be solved.
It is cure for the ignorant and degraded
ballot, for crime and .awlessness and all
other such questions
He argued that the whole state suffered
because of the neglect of one mans educa-
ton. Why should not the state act as a
preventive of crime, well as pun
isker" The state builds its jaiis and
Prisons. but many want it TO leave the
education Of its citizens to charity ard in
d:vidual effort.
Maintain Common Schools
at is to our highest interest as a people
and state to maintain common schools
within the reach of all. Not only for poor.
but for rich, too; for there are those who
will not educate their children as we'll as
those who cannot.
Education should be common as light, air
and water are. We have done much in this
line, but who can say that we have done all
we could. The fact that Alabama stands
as one of the most illiterate of her sister
states should bring a blush of shame to
every citizen who loves Alabama
I'm the mad rush for wealth or what not
we have neglected to provide for the COM
mon schools and as a result we have a tre-
nendous iliterate vote, which is the bane
of our state government"
Mr.. Abercrombe concluded his address by
applying his previous remarks to the grad
uating class, and pointing out to them
their duty in their future lives as regarding
education
Presenting Diplomas
President Roof. before presenting the
graduating class with their diplomas, gave
them some splendid practical advice, includ-
ing the following excellent motto, which he
begged them to live up &c: "Lifes duties
consist not in seeming, but in beng; not in
saying, but IN doing"
The following is the roll of the gradual
ing class, with the degrees they received
and their places of residences
James Allied Bagley, A. B., Brooksida.
Charles Renfoo Bell, B. s., Annl6!on.
Henry Wyiey Fancher, "A. B., Monte
vallo.
George Washington uopson, Jr., A. B.,
Woodlaw
Wms MacCain, b. s., Admission.
Almus Judson Macpanal, B. s., Irondale
Marcus Taylor MacG ,Iff, =. S., C1lUm-
bia.
Thaddeus Lee Nichols, y s., Thomaspile
Edmund Winchester Rucker Jr, Il S.
Birmingham.
Charles Henry Smith. b. t., Hulls.
DIN Theodore Smith, A. b., I.ineyille.
Eldred McWhorter Stewart, A. B.,
Greeneville.
Marvin MacCoy Eppes, who was gradu-
ated with A. B. last year, yesterday re-
ceived his master of arts degree. He earn
ed it, and it was not an honorary degree
Those who were graduated with distinc-
ton We're Bagley, Hopson, Nichols, o. r.
Smith, Fancher, MacDanal, Rucker and
Stewart.
Report of Trustees
President Gray, of the board of trustees,
next made the annual report of the ac-
lions of the board. Amid great applause
he announced that the entire faculty had
been reelected, as follows:
President-F. NJ. Roof, professor of
moral and mental science.
Secretary-Samuel S. Ansley, professor
of Greek.
Thomas ]. Dill. professor of Latin.
e. H. Foster, professor of English.
Amos b. Goodhue, professor of elocution
and French.
Edward Brand, professor of applied
mathematics and German.
Robert ]. Waldrop, professor of pure
mathematics.
Edgar Poe Hogan, professor of natural
science.
Rev. w. A. Hobson, professor of Biblical
literature.
DR.. C. C. JONES' surgeon.
No assistants.
He announced that the board had con-
ferred the following honorary degrees on
alumni of the colleges:
Rev. Calvin S. Blackwell, of North Caro-
lima, doctor of divinity.
Rev. ]. L. Thompson, of Lafayette, doc
tor of divinity.
Prof. Ed. P. Hogan, of Howard college,
master of arts.
Prof. Leonard Vann, of Tennessee, mas