Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-19
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Jacob A. Riis of New York Addressed
 Graduates and Friends.


 As the curtain at Poli's theater was slowly raised last night and the seven ty-six young ladies and young men who are members of the class of 1903, Ae the Waterbury High school were aeen marching onto the stage, keeping time with the inspiring strains of a march by the American band orches- tra, thrill of pleasure swept through the entire audience, which filled every seat in the house and nearly all the standing room. It was a pretty sight. The young ladies were attired in beau tiful white dresses, fairy creations of the dressmakers' art, while the young men, though they had not so many frills and trimmings, looked just as happy as their fair companions.
 No commencement exercises have at- sracted such large gathering of people to Poli's theater. Every seat was oc- cupied and about 100 persons had to stand.
 After the class had been seated the speaker of the evening, Jacob A. Ri1s of New York, was introduced by pr E. w. Goodenough, who referred to the excellent work accomplished by the noted philosopher and said that large measure of MT Riis's success was due to his putting into practice the advice and principles embodied in his own writings. MT Riis was we'll received.
 The noted New Yorker and friend of President Roosevelt is an interesting speaker, but he is not eloquent or fiery. He impresses his audience with the sincerity of his remarks, the 1n- tensity of feeling. the honesty and rug gedness of his character, but he never faecinates them with charms of elo- Quence. They never become enrap- tured with him. But he is man whose remarks are abounding with good sound advice, with words of wis dom which would be we'll if his hear CTS would always remember. He IS interesting, whether he is giving some good advice or is telling some witty story to illustrate one of his points. Mir Riis's remarks last night were not greeted with the enthusiasm which they deserved. The audience was cold and stiff They gave little applause to the speakers remarks.
 The subject of MT Riis's remarks was tTrue Americans" President Roosevelt was frequently referred to
 
 type of American manhood which all should try to initiate. Many times during the speakers remarks the pres tdent of the United States was pictured as an ideal man, faithful and true, who stood as a shining example to every man in the country.
 The speaker commenced his address by, telling of Patrick Mullen, an honest Irish blacksmith. Patrick made guns and made them well for he followed the biblical saying: whatsoever thy hands find to do. do it with all thy might" The price of his guns rapidly advanced from $50 to $500. Then a man came to him and offered him $50 for every gun upon which he would al- low him to stamp the name Patrick Mullen. "What did Patrick do2 He took the man by the scruff of the neck and the slack of the brooches and pitch ed him to the middle of the street." the speaker continued. .'That man was a true American, even if he was born in Ireland, and recommend this example to you" He also referred to 1Fighting Mary" little girl of New York, who saved her first mince pie for her mother and also to a Jewish boy who refused to become rabbi because he was not good enough. Both were pictured as types of true Americans.
 The speaker referred in glowing terms to grandeur and loftiness of the character of Colonel George B. Waring who cleaned New York's streets for the first time and also rid Havana of the plague of yellow fever, but at the cost of his life. for he fell victim to the plague. A monument will be erected to him some day and the in scription will be "He was faithful"
 Tn the opinion of the speaker the world has no use for the lazy man or the indifferent man. He cited some life rules Of the president as follows: Don't waste time in growling," ]" ''Have all the fun you honestly and de- gently can,' Persist" and Its better to be faithful than famous"
 After the speaker had finished his remarks Mayor B. G. Kilduff was in troduced. He spoke briefly wishing the graduates happy and prosperous career. He then presented them with their diplomas
 4 pleasing feature of the exercises was the singing by a quartet, consist ing of Alex Brandvein. George R.. Lewis, H. Clarence Gardner and G. Merwin Chapman. It was splendid. pleasing selections were also rendered by a double quartet consisting of the above young men and William J. Lar kin, IT, Harry Heaton, Emerson Tomp- kins and F. Hiram .Mattoon. Much praise for the excellent music is due to Miss Gloster.
 The following was the program of the exercises:
 Overture, Bronze Horse'' (Auber), orchestra; march, Waterbury Ameri- can" (Fulton), orchestra; address. ''True Americans" Jacob A. Riis; chorus. "Blow, Soft Winds' (V1ncent), intermission; popular selection (Von Tilzer1. orchestra; march, ''The Presl- dents" (Herber), orchestra; presenta- &ion of diplomas, by his honor. Edward O. Kilduff; double quartet, Loves Old Sweet Song" 0Iolloy); finale, "U. s. Volunteers" (Adler). orchestra.
 The members of the class snypntV-