The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-12
PROF. GOSS'S ADDRESS
WAS THE FEATURE OF THE COM
MENCEMENT EXERCISES.
a Large Audience at Englisb's Opera
House-The Manual Training
High school Class.

rose last night upon decidedly pic
turesque scene. formed by the January and
June graduating classes of the Manual
Training School. sixty young men and
women, arranged in elevated rows. after
the manner of a minstrel first part" with
beautiful background of natural palms.
The stage attractively set for the oc-
casion. In the foreground, on the right
were seated Prof Emmerich. who presided.
Rev r. ". Hunter. who delivered the in
vocation, and Prof. David X. Goss, the
orator of the evening. The members of the
graduating class wore clothes eminently
adapted to the important event in which
they participated-the young men being
attired in evening dress and the young
women in uniform white of summary tex
ture. Each young woman added largely to
the general effect of the stage picture by
carrying in one hand white fan and in the
other a bunch of long-stemmed American
Beauty roses.
Perhaps the most delightful feature of
the unusually brief programme was the
music rendered by the Manual Training
High School Orchestra. This body of
young musicians is making rapid strides
into public notice and favor. The numbers
played last night were thoroughly enjoyed
and warmly applauded. The large number
of violinists was noticeable and added
greatly to the charming effect produced.
The orchestra was far too large for the
regular space allotted the house orchestra
and almost an entire row of seats was
taken up by the overflow. Two profess
sional musicians. Louis Ruth. first cornet,
and Albert Worth. trombone, assisted the
school orchestra. Mr.. Worths trombone
solo, Wagner's Evening Star" was well
received. The music last night was directed
by Fred Grover. first violinist, who dis
played conspicuous ability.
A LARGE AUDIENCE.
There was a large audience present,
nearly every seat on the three floors being
occupied. The programme was inaugurated
with a selection from 1.-THE FOUNDERS. -
executed in a decidedly unamateurish
manner by the orchestra. After the invoca-
ton by Rev. Mr.. Hunter. Miss Mabel Wal
tiers delivered the salutatory. Miss Wal
tiers presented a pleasing appearance by
her modest self-possession and her address
was couched in elegant diction and de-
livered with commendable clearness. Ray
Arbuckle was the valedictorian and, I'm a
five minutes speech, contrived to bring
back to his classmates a store of reminis-
cences, as well as giving them good meas
ure of valuable advice for the future.
Prof. Emmerich's face showed unmis-
takeable pride as he called the roll of the
two graduating classes preparatory to the
presentation of diplomas by DIR. George w.
Sloan, president of the School Board. One
young man failed TO rise in response to the
calling of his name but Prof. Emmerich
explained that he was unayoidably de-
tanned
Prof Goss's subject "The Land of
Waste gave no hint of the utterances
which were to follow. He said. in part:
THE foreigners who have come among us
say, and our own students among other
people affirm, that ours is a land of great
opportunity, but also a land of prodigal
waste. My own experience and study have
impressed upon me this terrible waste in
public and private affairs In our country
and with some particularly regarding this
/ would speak.
1.-THE State is on its business side not un-
like the great commercial corporations
like the great fire and life insurance COM
panies. the banks and trust companies do
ing business over vast areas of territory
and handling affairs intimately affecting
the welfare of great numbers of people.
The State is like these corporations, but is
vastly more important than these, for all
men are its stockholders. II holds not
only the material welfare of us all in its
hands, but IL protects life and conserves
morals and consciously ministers to the adj
vancement of civilization. 1t builds bridges
and roads and water works, lights the
streets. plays policeman and teaches the
schools and because il does all these we
owe her-the State7the all-mother, not
only the honest treatment in business deal
ing we give the private corporations. but
more-the love We accord our own mother,
the patriotic love that exists between men,
bers of one family.
A JAB AT POLITICS.
Notwithstanding all this. there is not a
IL, he thot L.
its business side regulated with that wise
provision, served with that economy and
loyalty which characterize the government
and service of the great railroads and trust
companies. There is not a business man
in this audience, or man Of any kind with
a fair degree of prudence. but would. If
his interest in Marion county were purely
a matter of joint stock. sell his interest at
80 cents on the dollar and demonstrate
thereby his business acumen.
There is not a stakeholder in a bank
or business house in Ii but would. IL the
people chose directors as they now choose
county commissioners and township trus-
tees. sell out his interest to escape the
humiliating losses and the ensuing folly.
IF these things so (and who will
deny them?) what right have We TO vaunt
ourselves in the faces of those who operate
honest and efficient government? We are
trymen that jobbery, bribery and all man.
ner of political thievery are incident to
a young civilizations; the country grows
older and the settled conditions of Europe
obtain here, all these bad things will dis
appear. Alas for the argument 1t is not
the newest communities of the country
that are the especial subjects of political
loot. Tammany is located, not i'm Colorado.
but in the home of the Knickerbockers |!
Ii Is not Nebraska so much as the State
of William Penn and Benjamin Franklin
that is consciencelessly robbed.
This waste in public affairs Is double
So often those who hold the places from
ignorance and inefficiency or worse cause
money Joss and miscarriage of reasona BILE
policy OF government Those who are
skilled or might become so being shunted
from the service of the State true prog
ress and efficient service are not initiated
or, being begun, fail from lack of contin-
City of purpose. / do not believe that our
sameful failures in political housekeeping
arise from any lack of ability political
mindedness OF Our people. On the con-
trary. that we work with amy success such
difficult and faulty machines as ours attests
our wonderful skill and capacity Our
trouble lies in the false notion or ideal that
one person can do given public service as
we'll another. We distrust the expert
in public service and we will have none of
his skill. III man breaks his watch what
shall he do? Consult his neiChbors or GO
TO n matchmaker? III YOU nave typhoid
fever or sunstrcke. will you call in a coun-
Gil or send for the besE physician you
know? If your material interests are in
jeopardy will YOU decide your course by
casting the dice or will you send for a
lawyer? And. q the trained man is neccs-
sary TO mend watches, write a will and
cure disease. what shall be said of the re-
quiremcnt of him who shall build the roads
and bridges of township or balance the