The sun., 1900-06-28
HOWARD SCHOOL COMMENCE
MENT,

The commencement exercises of the
Howard School, public school No. 16, at
the Opera House last night, fully sus-
tanned the reputation of that school for
giving delightful school entertainments.
The attendance was notable one. With
the Chief Justice Of the State on the
stage, there was in front of him re-
markable audience-as many white peo-
pie in as there were colored people. The
remarkable part of it is that very
many of the white people present
are not patrons of the public schools, nor
are they frequenters of public school as
semblies. Society was we'll represented.
1t is fact, for these occasions at least,
that the color line barrier to social inter-
course has been broken down.
The interesting, or perhaps it is better
to say, the characteristic feature of this
occasion was the presence and speech of
Mr.. Booker Washington, the founder
and principal of the famous Tuska-
gee Institute, at Tuskagee, Ala.
Miss kruse prepared treat of this kind
for her guests at every recent commence
ment exercise of the Howard School.
This one, perhaps, exceeding all the
others. Mr.. Washington's speech fully
sustains his reputation. 1t was an earn
est, practical exposition OF an educated
colored mans ideas of the needs OF the
colored race and the processes by which
he thinks the race problem now confront
ing the American people can be
solved. The solving OF the problem
he thinks depends upon such an
education OF the colored people
as shall ultimately make them financial
ly and socially independent OF the white
race, To assure rapid progress toward
this elimination he urges industrial ed
ucation, and aims to make colored men
and women the best informed and most
highly skilled mechanics and artisans
IN the lines which they may adopt. To
supplement- skill he urges frugality and
money getting. In this be does
not forget to urge ethical cul-
ture. In his address to the gradu-
ates he appealed to them to put the
knowledge they had attained into i'm
mediate practical use in their homes,
however humble they may be. He begged
them not to despise the homely en-
ployments of their parents, but by
superior knowledge and skill, to at once
begin right there doing better work, and
also relieving their parents of the bur
dens imposed upon them in securing
educational advantagess for their chill
dren. In this the address was eloquent
in its statement OF homely facts in
way that made his voice quaver and his
eye swim in unshed tears, as if in men,
ory of his own experiences.
All the essays and speeches were good.
IN that they were full of common sense.
The music was delightful, the last num-
Der OF the program, a lengthy one,
was brilliant achievement. Miss
Fletcher, the superintendent of the
musical department of the public
schools, is to be complimented aud high
ly commended for her success in teach.
ing, and conducting her pupils in public
exercises. The children deserve praise
Tor their brilliant success even under
such an efficient teacher.
The social part of the entertainment at
the home of Miss kruse on this occa.
sion was peculiarly delightful. It
is possible that Miss Kruse is
doing as important work in this
line OF education as in that
OF the ordinary school routine. She is
proving that race and color are not pre-
ventive barriers of delightful social in
tercourse between educated men and
women OF the white and colored races.