The Washington times., 1902-06-17
Closing Exercises Of Busi-
ness High School at
National Theater.
ADDRESS OF Mr.. MACFARLi3D
Commissioner Lauds Stu
dents for Devotion
to Duty.
SECRETARY SHAW SPEAKS
SECRETARY SHAW SPEAKS
Cabinet Officer Gives Graduates Words
of Good Advice-Invocation by Dr..
Clark - Commissioner Ross Delivers
the Diplomas to Graduates.

Assembled upon the stage of the New
National Theater last night was the
largest class that has ever received
diplomas from any similar institution in
the Capital of the nation. 1t was the
graduating class of the Washington
Business High School. numbering 156
young men and women.
The occasion was made additionally
memorable by an interesting address by
Hon. Leslie NJ. Shaw, Secretary of the
Treasury
The stage was crowded, the immense
class occupying the center and left,
while the remaining space was given up
10 the members of the Board of Educa-
tion and prominent guests, among whom
were Commissioner Henry b. F. Mac
farland, who presided; Commissioner
John w. Ross, who conferred the diplo-
mas; Mr. Thomas Smith, president of
the Board of Trade; DIR. 4. P. Pardon.
secretary of the Board of Trade; Mr..
Mitchell Dyrenforth, president of the
Business Mems Association: Mr.. Barry
Bulkley, secretary of the Business Mems
OF the school; Rev Lucien Clark. d. ID.
MIR. Whelpley, and Mr.. Bell, ex-presi-
dents of the School Board; DR.. Francis
Il. Lane, director of the Washington
High Schools; General Harries, Mr.. A.
I. Stuart, Superintendent of the Public
schools; General Boynton, Mrs. Henry
Litchfield West, Mrs. Francis. Mr.. Bum
V. II
man, Mrs. Myers. and Mr. Montgomery.
all of the Board of Education.
Theater Packed to Doors.
The theater was packed to the doors.
from the gallery to the orchestra, with
the friends of the graduates. and if en-
thusiasm-high school enthusiasm
hosts OF pretty girls and manly young
men. and almost every other adjunct TO
the success of such an occasion prove
sufhcient.to embark the graduates of the
Business High School upon a successful
or even brilliant career. then certainly
the District of Columbia bids fair TO
stand sponsor to a good many fnanciers
or statesmen. The orchestra and a por-
tion of the orchestra circle had been
reserved for the parents of the gradu-
ates, while the top gallery had been
turned over almost exclusively to the
first year girls of the school. Some of
the officers and prominent members of
the Business High School Alumni Asso-
citation occupied box
The stage and entire theater was Law
ishly and beautifully decorated From
the top of the auditorium hung large
gilt ball. from which radiated a cluster
of orange and blue flags, interspersed
with the Stars and Stripes. Large Amer
lean flags were artisticalIy draped over
the boxes and around the top balcony. |
The dress circle was handsomely draped |
with orange and blue bunting the colors |
OF the school.
Veritable Flower Garden.
The stage itself was a veritable flower |
garden. To one side stood an attract
i've design in which were placed the di-
plomas prior TO their distribution. The |
design consisted of large wooden letters |
"B II. S. surmounted by a graceful /
arch. The letters were painted in the
were innumerable holes, in which were
arranged the diplomas. Across the foot
lights a compact row of low palms had
been placed, and against these beauti-
full bouquets and baskets of flowers were
banked TO height of three or four feet.
At the back of the stage several scores
of huge palms had been massed against
a pretty scene representing the Interior
of a conservatory. Above the center of
the stage was hung large flower pend
ant in the form of shield. The design
was exactly similar TO the class pins Of
the graduates, and combined most ef-
fectiyely the orange and blue of the in
stftution The pendant was set off most
artisticaIly by several hundred minia-
ture electric lights of various colors,
which were distributed about the face
o1 the shield. The whole appearance OF
the stage and auditorium was extreme
Iy beautiful, and formed one of the
prettiest pictures Of its kind ever wit
messed in the Capital.
During the evening a portion of the
United States Marine Band, under the
leadership OF Lieutenant Santelmann.
rendered an excellent musical program.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
After the invocation by Rev. Lucien
Clark. D. D.. Commissioner Mcfarland,
the presiding officer. delivered a brief
address. in which he emphasized the fact
that a new home for the Business School
is now practically in sight. He said IN
part:
The Business High School is to have
a home OF It's oWn-a suitable. con
venicnt. well-equipped building. This is
the leading thought in our minds TO-
night. II is even more important in our
mutual congratulations than the gradua-
ton Of another class, the laI gest in the
history OF the schC ol. For the great
need Of the school has been home. and
even these graduates are as pleased. l