Evening star., 1901-04-01
Exercises in Dedication Of Reform
Schools Assembly Hall.
PRESIDENT CECIL CLAY'S WELCOME
Addresses by President of the In
stitution and Others.
DELIVERY OF THE KEYS

Inc pubic opening OF the new dSStHibiS
hall at the reform school of the District
of Columbia took place yesterday after
noon. The keys of the hall were delivered
to Mr. George \. Shallenberger, superin-
tendent of the school by AIR. James E.
Fitch. chairman of the special committee
of the board Of trustees having charge of
the construction of the building. There
was a greeting by Col. Cecil Clay, pres-
dent of the board of trustees, and
addresses were delivered by Mr.. Henry
3, F. Macfarland. president of the
board OF Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia and eX-officio a trustee
OF the reform school. and by Mr. Merrill
E. Gates. a member of the United States
board of Indian commissioners Prayers
We're offered by Rev. DIR. John G. Butler,
Rev. DR.. Richard p Williams and Rev.
DR.. Byron Sunderland, resectively.
The service was attended by the officials
of the school. the board OF trustees and
their families and friends, and by about
one hundred other persons not connected
with the institution, but who are interest
ed in its work The 2I1 boys. at the school
occupied the central part of the hall. The
decorations consisted Of two American en-
signs crossed in a panel of the wall at the
right of the platform. cluster of roses on
piano beneath the flags and bunch of
various kinds Of flowers on a table in front
and at the foot of the platform.
Enter as "Fa,ni!ies."
The boys formed in columns of two at
their quarters and marched to the hail,
entering at the west doors. the small boys
taking seats in front ard the larger ones
in the rear. Their uniforms. patterned on
those worn by enlisted men in the United
States army were new, and the boys
marched precisely. They entered the hall
in "familiea.' as the groups of scholars
are designated. Family A, guided by
Teacher William f. McIlwee and Second
Officer Samuel Cass. entered first. and was
followed in the order indicated by Families
h. Teacher George o. AIherton and Second
Officer James W. Burke; c, Teacher Frank
Z. Rapp aud Second officer E. ]. Hickey
and D. Tea acher Frederick f. Mcneil and
Second Officer Horace Browning. The
members of each family stood at attention
before their seats until the order to be
seated was given.
The trustees and other guests who had
been gathering in the Office of the superin-
tendent entered through the east door and
took seats on the platform. Among them
were Col. Cecil Clay, president of the board
of trustees; James e. Fitch, vice president
S. W. Curriden. secretary and treasurer;
William S. Thompson, William Nj. Shuster
Judge Ivory c.. kimball Superintendent
George a. Shallenberger and Assistant Su-
perintendent Isaac d. Porter. After the
arrival of the guests, and while other spec
tators We're yet coming in, Donald B. Nc
the school, played the Pilgrims Chorus
from TannheuSer' as prelude.
President CIay's Remarks
Col Clay then extended a greeting to all
those present, addressing the assemblage
as My dear friends" He said that the
instruction given the boys at the school is
intended to replace the parental instruc-
tion which they had failed, for variety of
reasons. to get at their homes. They are
schooled, he said, In the foundation studies
such as they would have been called upon
to learn in the public schools. In addition
to this. Col Clay said, the boys are given
physical and moral training. 1t to
advance the moral and physical being Of
the boys that the hall had been built. He
congratulated the building committee on
the completion of it's work.
In conclusion he said:
Now, boys, on behalf of the board of
trustees, l say welcome to this hall-your
hail.
Rev. DR.. Butler, in the openening prayer,
asked divine blessing on the school and
scholars. He prayed that good might con-
tinue to manifest itself with increasing
before him might grow to be Christian
men. He thanked God for the extension
of the gospel into our new possessions
Delivery of the Keys.
Mr.. Fitch then delivered the keys to Mr..
Shallenberger, saying: 1T Is my pleasant
duty to deliver to you as superintendent of
this Institution, the keys to this assembly
hall The trustees. as you we'll know, have
long felt the want of such a building and
when the liberality of Congress at length
rendered its erection possible, steps We're
Immediately taken resulting in this beauti-
fUl and commOdiOus structure. In it's COM
pleteness it reflects credit upon it's archi-
tects and builders. It's beauty and attrac-
tiveness cannot fail to prove an inspiration
"a incentive a higher liy-in ba
boys under your charge, and be an aid to
you in your efforts for their reformation
Il recall the many years of faithful SER
vice which you and Mrs. Shallenberger
have rendered to the school and how YOU
have assisted the trustees in their endeav-
ors to make this a model reform school
for boys And | know that voice the feel
ings of every member of the board when l
express the hope that You win long be able
to continue your good work, and to enjoy
the help and comfort which this assembly
hall Will give you in your laborS.'
Superintendent's Acceptance
Superintendent Shallenberger- in accept
ing the keys, said: Mr.. Chairman I accept
the keys at your hands from the board of
trustees, and with them all the varied obli-
cations their and safe keeping i'm
impose. 1 accept them, further, as a special
tree and thank you sincerely for this lat
est evidence of your confidence.
Looking out from my present standing
upon this spacious hall, with all its beauti-
full appointments, and knowing full well
the many years of effort expended to Sc
cure 1T, / congratulate you upon it's sue
cessful completion.
And now, my dear boys, a closing word
to you. In this l have to regret that my
voice is not strong enough and loud enough
to be heard by the multiplied hundreds of
your honor boys, who, together with your
selves must be accepted as the inspiring
element and the real center and circumfer-
ence of all that is passing here today
Speaking for myself, and as I believe
for those whom have the honor to serve
can safely assure YOU
% Our hearts, our hopes, are all with you
Our hearts. our hopes, our prayers, our tears
Our faith triumphant DER fears
Are all with you, are all with you. "
When the ceremony of the delivery of
the keys had been concluded a hymn was
sung and the scriptural lesson for the day
was read responsively and then was sung
the hymn beginning How firm a founda-
ton, ye saints of the Lord
Commissioner Macfarland's Address.
Commissioner Macfarland was introduced
and after expressing thanks to those who
had aided in securing for the reform school
the long-needed assembly hall. and, ad-
dressing the officers and teachers, said. in
mart