People's voice., 1900-06-07
HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES.
Third Annual Commencement-Ten Grad
yates Deliver 0rations.

exercises Of the Sumner County High
school were held al the auditorium
Wednesday. The auditorium, as
upon ali >cnool occasions 10 yelling.
ton, was crowded to its fullest capac-
ity. This is in itself testimonial 70
the worth Of the schools and shows
the interest felt 10 the young people
oy the people Of Wellington aud
vicinity.
The exercises at eight commenced
at $50 O'clock and were over at 1890.
The OrationS were short, 10 the point
and reflected credit upon the gradu-
ateS. The arrangement Of the pro-
gram was admirable in every respect.
The auditorium stage was decorated
with the Class cOlors, green aud white.
Two large white 0O's, representing
the abbreviated year 1900, rested on
background OF green against the east
! wal. Of the stage, Draperies OF white
and green hung over the archway,
and white roses and green palms lent
added beauty and significance to the
stage decorations.
Clyde Piles Grafton was on the SUBJ
jecJ, Tue Russian NlhiIist." II was
an admirable portrayal OF the origin,
history aud influence Of the nihiliSts
upon Russian government affairs, and
their efforts TO reduce and eQualize
taxation, secure better schoOls and
benefit the condition Of the poorer
classes.
Eva Hibberd took for her subject
Popular Fallacies." She dealt
mercilessly with many Of the popular
notions the day. She exploded toe
early bird" fallacy, the "silenJ
tongue" maxim, the Ignorance is
bliss" prOverO, aud tore to shredS the
idea that "mah is a gody thing" and
upset number OF other absurditias
10 a way which won the favor of her
audience.
EfTia ShOfner spoke Of "John Rus
kin" his life, his works 10 art and
literature, and told the pathetic story
OF his love affairs. Hers was one Of
the most interesting 0ratiOns. 1t was
delivered in voice that was low but
distinct, and her manner was self pos
seSsed
The subject Of Ada Hilton's address
was "Untitled Nobility" being a
story OF American courage and yalOr
based on the heroic features OF the
late war, and eXtolling the heroes
whose bravery has placed America in
An enviahle position among the ma
tions Of the earth.
Louis Milne reclted the class chron-
cles, the same being narrative of
funny things ION" The ten gradu-
ates and a recital in Bible style of
pranks played by the naughty
naughts" 10 their closing school days.
Bertis Forbes spoke of the necessity
Of manual training in the public
schools. Too much of the school life
Is spent bending over books working
YeXing problems ard too little atten-
tiOn is paid to the training of pupils
for meeting the practical problems IN
life. He clearly pointed out the
necessity OF knowing how to work,
and warned the graduates that they
would be disappointed if they expected
TO bring success in life simply by
waving their diplomas.
Ella Patten recited a story, "In
1880" and pictured Wellington as the
metropolis Of Kansas, and Geuda
Springs As a famous resort in the
suburbs of Wellington, and the Sumnee
County High school the best in tht
state. Tue buildings will all be bull
Of glass; there will be no police; no
saloons. Wireless telegraphy and auto
mstiC clerks were few of the things
which she predicted FOR 1850. Visi-
tors from the planet Mars will be no
uncommon sight IN the streets
Cora Lambe gave an excellent ora
tiOn entitled "LOngfellow's Village
Maidens." 1t was well delivered, and
she bore herself in a becoming man.
ner.
| Zaldie Zinn gave recitation en-
tilted THE Ten 0O's on the House
Boat" 1t was story of 1915, when
the spirits of the ten graduates are
supposed 10 be roaming in the un.
known hence. Miss Zinn has a most
pleasing personality, and is an elOCu-
zionist of some merit. She captivated
and delighted her hearers with her
most excellently told tale. o.
Russell BeaSty solved the suffrage
question in the south by Offering some
well considered remarks upon the
vexlng NEGRO Problem" He thought
the negro problem in South Carolina
and other SOuthern states paramount
to the questions which are commonly
racklng the minds OF social and poll
tical economists, and felt that the
question should receive more atten.
tion from the nations statesmen.
The ORATORS were pleasantly inter-
spersed with instrumental and vocal
selections. The school orchestra
opened the program with selection.
The High school chorus rendered two
songs. The invocation was made by
Rev. Thos. Penick. The ladies' quar-
tette, composed Of Mrs. W. T. Nc
Bride, Mrs. VIM. Gelino, Mrs. F. T
lOwens and Miss Calista Martin, de.
lighted the audience with several
selections. Mrs. Owens gave a vocal
solo. The mandolin club also rendered
several selections. The presentation
OF diplomas was made by County
Superintendent Massey, and the
6euediction was pronounced by Rev.
E, E. Stauffer.