The Washington times., 1902-06-19

gram for the Grafton of the evening. but
through a misunderstanding he was COM
PEELED to decline the invitation OF Gen.
eral Harrie..
He made an address Tuesday night to
the graduating class of the Eastern High
School, at the National Theater, and can
celed his engagement to appear last
night when all the schools held their
combined exercises.
Edgar Barnes, president OF the East
ern High School graduating class, is said
to be responsible for Secretary Roots ac-
ton. Young Mr.. Barnes invited Secretary
Root to address his class. and later Gen
eral Harries. representing the school
board. asked Secretary Root TO speak on
the occasion OF the official exercises
General Harres insisted that the Eastern
High School affair was but class cele
bration, and that the Official exercises in
cluded those for all the high schools.
At first Secretary Root was inclined
to cancel his first engagement, but
Barnes, who is very popular with his
class, pleaded that it would place him
il an embarrassing position, as he had
relied upon the promise OF the Secre-
tary OF War to appear. Secretary Root
then decided that he would speak on
both occasions. He kept faith with the
Eastern High School Tuesday night and
addressed them at the National Theater,
although by doing so he was half an
hour late in attending a dinner at the
White House. Yesterday morning he
caused CONSERVATION among the school
board officials by announcing that he
had determined not to attend the ex-
ercises at Convention Hall.
Could Not Change Decision.
General Harries endeavored in vain TO
have the Secretary of War alter his de-
cision.
As a result OF the declination of Sec
retary Root to participate in the exer-
cises General Harries invited Represen-
tatiye Lands OF Indiana to make the
address. Mr.. Lands did not hear Of
the duty that had been imposed upon
him until nearly 4 o'clock yesterday
afternoon, and the remrks ne made were
entirely extemporaneous.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
After the invocation by Rev. DR.. Frank
NJ. Bristol, Commissioner Macfarland,
the presiding officer, delivered brief
Introductory address. He said in part:
This is the crown of the public
school commandments. We who have
been attending them almost continuous
ly since last Monday morning appreciate
as never before what it is that the pub
lie school system OF the District OF Co
lupbia. with its 300 teachers and its
Al. 900 pupils (more than the population
of many a city,, is turning out. Through
these DAYS we have felt an increasing
sympathy with the splendid efforts of
those who are carrying on this great
est of all the works OF the District, and
an Increasing pride in their results.
Nearly one-sixth of the population
of the District of Columbia Is in Its
public schools. And the hearts OF most
of the others are there. too. For, while
the unequaled educational opportunities
OF the National Capital-and 1t Is
liberal education merely to live here
are multiplying the number of private
schools as well as the number of col
Ieges and universities, the vast major
ity of the children of the District re-
ceive their formal education in the Dis
trict schools.
No Interest So Important.
There is, therefore. no other inter
est so important, or so endeared TO the
people OF the District, and none that
has more OF the attention and devotion
OF til. District government. The few
hundreds OF strangers who make a win
ter resort OF Washington, but do not
enter its life. and a few hundred perma-
ncnt residents who are not interested in
our affairs, excepted, IL is safe to say
that everybody In the District is watch
ing the progress OF our schools. and
these commencements, which are the
recorder, o. that progress, with affec-
tionete interest.
Even this great hall cannot contain
1.-THE OF these who are interested In
this occasion. It's significance is seen
by many eyes that do not see the sig
nihcancc OF other events. Many who
could give no philosophical explanation
L a..