Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-06-06

Viroqra citizens are always proud of
their schools and the educational facili-
ties afforde7 n this city. and they We're
never moro anxious for them to have
| good rev. ton than at the present
| time. No community votes large sU'ns
of money for this purpose less grudgiug-
! ly thar does our population Coin-
mencement period is always anxiously
| LOOKED forward to- and this year was no
exception. The exercises last Friday
night were largely attended, the great
| taharnacle being filed to its seating
capacity. and that, as everybody knows,
means a crowd. The EXERCISES, while
! perhaps not ON so pretentious scale as
in some former years, We're character
ized BIZ good taste and excellence of
action throughout
AT the appointed minute the class con-
sistine; of ten-Stella e, Nrzum. Kate
Wise. Chas. J. Michelet. Mabel Switzer,
May Woods, Hugh Iovce, Nora White,
Name Miller. Stella Nuzum William
G.. Web'o--lead by Prof Pearson, filed
into the tabernacle and took places on
the platform, and the exercises immedi
atelv opened with a fervent invocation
by Rev Stemen, then the presentation
of essays ana orations interspersed by
vocal solos b. Floss Stricken. Mollie
Brown. girls chorus of the high school,
| cornet solo by Otto Brown, and closed
with prayer by Rev. Tresidder. Miss
Lucy Dawson, district treasurer, pre-
sented diplomas to the class. Her re-
marks were pertinent and should leave
an impress on the memories of the fav
ored young people that will be of service
in the new life of responsibility they
| assume.
Stella Nuzum was first of the class TO
| present her essay, "A Modern Philan
| thropy." She described the university
settlement movement, giving a brief
| history of its growth and present trend.
Although the work is in its infancy, she
marshalled enough tacte TO convince her
| hearers that the Saif between the brown
stone front and the reeking tenement is
| growing narrower.
"a Woman's Need of Science" by
| Kate Wise, was handled in a str aight
| forward manner. She made a strong
case for the teaching of domestic
science in the common schools. She
showed how the lives of most women
were spent, necessarily, in Wort where
these sciences play a most important
| part
The opening discussion of the Boer
war was given by Charles J. Michelet
| from the Boer view point. He made a
| strong plea for these liberty loving
Dutch, citing from time to time histOvi-
| cal data to emphasize his point HIS
| argument was clear cut and convincing.
| Mabel Switzer had for her subject
| lone Means of a Higher Civilization.
| An historic outline of music was given
| before describing the power of this art
for education and for ethical develop
ment Miss Switzer spoke as an enthu
siastard voiced the sentiment of many
of her hearers when she stated that music
| was one of the most potent influences for
/ good or evil in the world.
Nav Woods in her essay on Good
and Evil of War, confined herself quite
closely to the wars of this country and
in describing them, traced the good and
evil results of military engagements as
| viewed from the standard of today.
Some of the usual questions as to the
| possible justification of war under GER
tain circumstance, were touched upon.
The second part of the discussion of
| the African war was presented by Hugh
Joyce in logical, concise and telling
manner He made strong plea for the
English speaking people and named some
of their dominant characteristics which
have made them what they are, and
their influence upon the world at large
| what it is
The much vexed ques .on of domestic
service was clearly presented by Nora
White in manner that pleased all She
advocated closer sympathy between
mistress and maid. She deplored the
fact that the girl in the kitchen should
consider herself looked down upon be-
cause her work in life was not the same
as that of her mistress. She believes
this problem will solve itself when each
party to the contract will show more
unselfsh consideration for the other.
John Ruskin, in the form of
eulogy, was taken up by Name Miller
IN her presentation she spoke of him as
writer, artist and philanthropist. In
pleasing manner she paid him high
tribute.
Manual training" as part of liberal
education was described by Stella E.
Nuzuln. She suggested that much of
the muscular effort now expended in
sports might be directed toward the
requirement of the useful arts. For
boys and girls also she demonstrated the
desirability of having eye and hand
trained as well as the mind.
THE Nicaragua Canal, the history of
the project the obstacles to its compile
tion and the results of its accomplish
ment were rehearsed by William Webb.
He gave clear description of Lne en-
gineering work to be done and pictured
the canal to rs after it shall be a reali-
cation. Mr. Webb's production showed
q painstaking mastery of details and a
, tIreless amount of work.
Throughout the program and exer-
cises went like clock work. The several
orations and essays were delivered in an
excellent manner and were on subjects
that could be appreciated. The stage
decorations were modest and tasty. The
class motto was suggestive Peg Away.
There appears to have been unity OF
i purpose and action on the part of the
? board of education and instructional
J force to make the strongest pull possible
for our educational interests, and we be
heve this purpose is thoroughly recog
niZed by parents and patrons of the
r schools from outside. With no dis
/ paragement for others of the force, il
is simple justice TO say that in the first
~ years work Of Prof Pearson and nj
first assistant, Miss Andrews, are showI
. strong characters, exceptional execu
: tive ability and general fitness for theil
: work. The school today has, by eight
/, the largest number of foreign pupils il
the higher department of any school il
. the state. Tuition money amounted t
4 something above 81 100 the past year.
DR.. Gaines was over from LaFarge
Tuesday