The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-22

pie are inclined to criticise not only
public schools, but other educational
institutions because they seldom sue
coed in having their pupils enuncIate
with such dlstlnctness as to command
perfect attention. The fault does not
often lie in preparation; It must be re-
membered that these speakers are
young, their voices comparatively weak
and the audience room very large.
Added to this is the presence q many
people who have not the least interest
in hearing what is said; all they come
for IS to see a little, hear a little, and
then amuse themselves at the expense
of the speakers and their neighbors
who may wish to hear little more.
At ali events, he went 10 work with
the intention Of conquering these diff
flcuIties, and there was much practice
on the Evils Of Immigration" until
probably our youthful Demosthenes
concluded that the evils he recounted
in his Grafton were nothing as conn,
pared with those he was forced to un,
dergo. Nevertheless he made progress
and 1t became the final verdict Of those
most interested that he could almost
throw his voice through stone wall.
The evening OF commencement came,
warm and oppressive as such evenings
are apt to be. and of course the Opera
House was crowded to overlooking.
When his name was called he advanced
with firm step to the front and began
his attack on the aforementioned
Evils" His voice seemed fairly
strong and penetrating, and he exhlb-
tied no marked signs of stage fright,
The 1ntelllgencer, in Its account OF the
exercises the following morning, spoke
thus OF Johns effort:
''AIr. John s. Doddridge choSe for the
subject OF his Grafton the timely and
fruitful topic, The Evils OF Immigre-
which showed he had, reasoned out his
own conclusions. His delivery was
good except for q little WEAKNESS OF
voice. The line Of thought and style OF
composition would have been no dis
credit to an older head"
After the exercises were over ne
walked home with his cousin. and on
the way he was moved to ask, We'll.
how did you like my oratIon?"
Really" was the candid reply Of
the young lady who had been unfortu-
nate enough to be assigned to rear
seat, 81 have no doubt that you did all
right; your lips seemed to be moving,
and you made n number of gestures.
but never heard word,
It may be added that It is very sell
dom that any speaker can be heard In
the extreme rear of the Opera House,
especially when It is filled with an aud
lence that is not so attentive as might
be desired. His cousin probably made
this explanation as a salve to his
wounded feelings.
Appointed Navad Cadet.
Previous to this Important event,
which occurred on the 2Sth of June,
was one of stIll greater Importance,
since 1t had the effect Of determining
his career in life. refer to his APP
polntment as cadet. From the Intel
lIgenccr of June 81, 1889, clip the fol-
lowing itemi
"Drs. Charles Frlssell q. /. Carl.
son and A. +. Stifei superintendent OF
Schools Anderson and +. L. Hoge, the
board Of examiners appointed by John
O. Pendlelon to conduct the eXamina-
tlon. for appointment as cadet a. the
limited States Naval Academy
last evening finished their examination
OF the papers, and made a report
awarding the cadetship TO John .
Doddrldge. Of this city. Young poaa-
ridge will be seventeen ln August y
son OF ]. N. Doddrldge, Fec, Gna .