El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-22
THE FIRST
GRADUATES
Of the Douglass School Re-
ceive Their Diplomas
THE CLOSING EXERCISES
At Chopin Hall Last Night We're Very
Largely Attended By Both White
And Colored-The Graduates Es-
SAWS.

And COlored-The Graduates Is
says.
The thirteenth annual commence
ment of the DJuglass school was held
last night at Chopin hall. 1t was a
the occasion of sending
forth it's first graduates. The hall
was crowded to the limit of its capa-
city and nearly one haif the audience
were white people.
The program was an excellent one
and the pupils executed their parts in
q very creditable manner that spoke
well for the able training and care
bestowed OF them by Prof. aud Mrs.
Murphy. The only trouble was that
the people were late in arriving and
hence the exercises were started late
The stage and hall we're beautifully
decorated with flowers and the chill
dren looked pretty, the little girls in
their white costumes seated in the
front row, the boys and larger girls in
the rear, and the graduates on the
right OF the audience. Prof. Murphy
and his wife alternated at the organ.
The pieces were we'll spoken and the
singing excellent as the children
have good voices.
Lack OF space forbjds q mention OF
each piece In detail. The services
William Lee Crafts, pastor OF the
ColOred Baptist school.
The primary department was the
first to appear aud the little tots re-
cited their pieces and sang their songs
In m tanner that won applause from
the audience, and aroused much NOR
riment. They showed but little en-
barrassment and went through their
parts perfectly.
The intermediate departments eX-
ercises consisted OF music and recita-
tions of an excellent order. The pieces
spoken alternately brought forth APP
plause and lau2 hter.
Before the completion of the exer-
discs of this department Prof. Murphy
announced that on account of the de-
lay in starting and the fact that some
were getting tired who had expressed
their desire to hear the essay Of one
of the graduates they would depart
from the program and have Miss Bes
sic Clemmon read her essay st once.
Miss Clemmous took as her subject
the question us the Negro Capable OF
Higher Education?'' This she answer
ed in the affirmative and quoted sever
al examples in history even before
emancipation of full biooded negroes
who attain great proficiency in art and
science. The history OF the advances
made by the race in the thirty five
years since emancipation showed what
the negro was capable OF when given |
An oppor tunity and brought into coz
tact with the ApglO-Ss Xon.
Miss Ciemmons' essay showed much |
ability and care in its preparation, and |
good comprehension of the subject, |
which is one of the great problems |
that Is agitating so many. 1t won |
liberal applause and a number of
handsome floral tributes from her
friends.
Miss Mary Grant took as the subject
of her essay the history of the colored |
schools of Ell Paso. Under the title,
IA Bit OF History and a Prophecy"
she traced the school from its founda-
tion to the present day. She told how
when Ell Paso first sprang into exist
ence and schools were opened, the
colored people so far west were few in
but they continued to multi
ply and the people ofthe city gave them
q school. Starting in rented quarters
with few pupils and fewer couveniences
the school after moving several times
at lsst found itself in its present build
ing. In closing Miss Grant gave a
prophecy as to what the future held in
store for the colored people Of I'll Paso.
In presenting the diplomas to the
two graduates, Supt. Putna am paid
high tribute to the work done by the
school. The entertainment just closed
was one that would have been a credit
to any white school. Referring to the
question discussed by Miss Clemmous,
Prof. Putnam maintained that the
negro was unauestionsbly capable of
attaining higher education. He said
his life had been passed in the south
and that being raised among the race
be believed he had had opportunities
Of observing and knowing them. Not
30 very many years ago it WAS unusual
10 find negro who could read and
write while now 1t would soon be the
reverse.
Prof. Putnam paid his tribute to the
work of the graduates. They had
worked faithfully for some ten years I'M
Ill they at last completed the course of
study and were now about to 60 forth
n the great school oflife. They had
great opportunities before
hem, said the superintendent,
Ind they should make the most of them
n advancing and elevating their race.
he also spoke to the parents present
lrRinR that they send their children
% school regularly and keep them
here.
After the exercises were over re-
option with refreshments and dancing
vas rendered to the graduates.