The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-13

"Altruism VS.. Egoism;" Leila j. Parker
Educational Reform;" Linn c. Drake,
platform VS.. Press" Nina c. Stark,
"Amaranth;" Joseph L. Challs, the
| valedictorian, spoke on 1.-The End
well-prepared orations and delivered
them in creditable manner Law
rence's orchestra interspersed the ad-
dresses with pleasing musical selec-
tions.
DIPLOMAS PRESENTED.
The presentation of diplomas was
made by Principal Hulley and in doing
so he made brief speech, in which he
emphasized the thought that the world
did not owe them living. but that
they were indebted to the world and
should give the world something. After
the presentation to the class of diplo-
mas, Principal Hulley announced the
prizes awarded during the past year
and gave them to the successful COM
petitors. The Fred NJ. Reynolds prize,
for best defamation, was won by AL
bert G. Suydam. The Daniel Langstaff
gold medal prize, for best recitation
among young lady competitors, was
won by Sarah M. Suydam. The prize
for best oration among young men Of
the middle class was won by John d.
Strain, and the prize for best essay
among the young ladies of the same
class was won by Jennie Watkins
Bessie Smith was awarded the prize in
Latin, gold medal, given by James
Leighton, and prize of SIS, awarded by
Rev. r. F. Y. Pierce, D. D., to the pupil
showing the most improvement in pen
manship, was won by Percy Seamans.
During the year prize was estab-
lished to the amount of $40 for young
men and young women, the competition
being writing academy items, and Linn
c. Drake took first prize and John d,
Strain second. Gold medals presented
by the trustees to young lady gradu-
ates each year We're gracefully placed
about the neck of each one by Princi-
pal Hulley, after which the graduating
exercises of the class of '02 came to
close with benediction by Rev. r. f. Y.
Pierce, d. D., of this city.
ALUMNI DINNER.
At 1880 o'clock the alumni dinner was
held in the dining room of the academy
OF which a large number partook. The
annual address was delivered at 2.3O
O'Clock in the afternoon in the grove by
Rev. Russell H. Conwel, d. D., of
Philadelphia. The popularity of the
speaker drew large number at the
speaking place so that the audience was
largely increased over that of the
morning. Lawrence's orchestra rem
dered selection after which Principal
Hully introduced the speaker.
DR.. Conwell spoke on the "Opportuni-
ties for Young People and Poor Peo-
pie" He said he was greatly exhausted
physically owing to the pressure of
work upon him, but he nevertheless
maintained his usual characteristics as
a speaker He declared commencement
as time when one should begin to use
their hands to work out what capital
they had stored in their brains during
their days of education. He declared
most emphatically his disbelief in the
present day cry of trusts, combines and
corporations that there is no chance for
a poor man or that young man has no
opportunities. He says opportunities
are many fold for poor young men. In
farming there are many thousands of
acres yet TO be taken up and cultivated.
He stated that statistics show how 45O,-
Ooo men last year, poor in finAnces,
started into farming and that today
farmers are making more money than
ever before. The mechanical world af-
fords great opportunities for poor men,
opportunities in teaching, in law, in
medicine and in politics. He declared
that any young man who would take
an interest in just government would
be recognized by men and be promoted
in politics, sighting President Roose-
welt and Gladstone as examples He
also showed how that the balance of
power politically in this state lies in the
hands of the working people and that
they can in consequence have any kind
of legislation they want.
NECESSITY OF AID.
The speaker struck a heavy blow in |
respect to aid given to young men
studying for the ministry. He believed |
such young men should work for an |
as well as others and that |
many unworthy men would he kept |
put If aid was not given so freely. He |
also believed 1t an age of opportunities |
Tor poor women.
At o'clock an open air concert was