Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-04
ANNUAL EXERCISES
SPENCERIAN BUSINESS COLLEGE
CoNFERs DIPLOMAS.
Address to Graduates by Gen. John NJ.
Wilson-Teachers, Guests
and Students.

an immense gathering last evening on the
occasion of the thirty-seventh annual COM
mencement exercises Of the Spencerian
Business College. when forty young men
and ladies received diplomas from the in
stitution at the hands Of Gen. John M. Will
son. U. s. A, retired, who also made the
address to the graduates. The exercises
were presided over by Mrs. Sara A. Spen-
Ger. principal Of the school.
The stage was set with a wood scene, and
extending and across the entire front of
the platform was bank Of daisies, with
palms and tropical plants clustered on
either side of the stage. The teachers,
guests and students occupied seats on the
stage and the scene was made bright by
the Grecian costumes of the young lady
graduates. The various numbers on the
extensive program were interspersed with
musical selections by Orchards orchestra.
Following musical prelude, Rev. DIR. a.
w. Pitzer offered the invocation, after
which the graduates marched upon the
stage. The gentlemen.s salutatory was
given by Frank Marks McChesney of New
York, and Miss Margaret Winnifred Boud-
rem of the District of Columbia welcomed
the gathering on behalf of the young ladies
of the class. Frederick Michael Crollard of
Kansas gave the gentlemans Valed1ctory
and Miss Maysie Reed Kunsman of Mime
sofa delivered the veledictory for the ladies.
Each speaker was greeted with enthusiastic
applause by the audience.
Dearth of Stenograhers.
Mr.. Leonard G. Spencer read a paper on
THE Dearth of Stenographers in the
United States" in which he cited statistics
tending to show the need of stenographers
and typewriters in the business world. after
which Mrs. Spencer gave an address.
Mrs. Spencer discussed the four questions
which are to be considered by the leading
educators of the country at the coming
meeting of the National Educational Asso-
citation to be held in Boston this summer
She deplored the apparent Indifference of
young men In the matter of acquiring an
education. and declared that the young wo-
men of the country are now outstripping
the Sterner sex in striving for Intellectual
attachments. The young men, she said are
unwilling to apply themselves to learning.
The tendency of the young men of the age
is toward irreverence; they do as they
please and parental authority has been
delegated to the next generation.
During the course of her remarks Mrs
Spencer took occasion to refer to an incl
dent coming within her own personal
knowledge connected with the examination
for position under the civil service rules
She denounced the coaches for the exami-
nations, and declared that their doors
ought to be closed by law. AT the conclu-
sion of her address Mrs. Spencer presented
the class of 1903.
Gen. Wilson's Address.
General Wilson was introduced by the
principal of the school as "a Washington
boy who has achieved greatness" General
Wilson urged upon the members of the
graduating class to remember that they
have but begun their education; that the
graduating exercises were indeed the COM
mencement of life for them The knowl-
bnc far ia but no
ton upon which to build for the future.
He urged the young men to sieZe the bot
tom round of the ladder, and keep climbing
steadily upward to the top. No matter
what discouragements may come they
should stick to their task and show the
true metal and energy of Americans. The
speaker admonished the young men to not
attempt by Sinking to oidshardships that
fell to their lot, but that they should per
form all the duties of their position in the
best possible manner. In their business
relations he urged them to look faithfully
after their employers interests, to do ev-
erything we'll; be punctual, trustworthy
and to hold condolences as sacred. The
youths the business yorld wants today
continued the speaker, ARE those who can
handle money without any of 1t sticking to
their fingers; who do not work with one
eye on the clock; who are careful, cour-
teous and reliable. Do not make promises
carelessly, young men, and be faithful in
keeping those you do make. Above all
things, do not AFFECT the fop. Be a man,
every inch of you, and adhere to strong,
wholesome convictions
In speaking to the young ladies, General
Wilson said the opportunities for the ad-
vancement of women are continually In
creasng. He read statistics showing the
different occupations and professions which
have been entered by the women of the
United States. According to the statistics
quoted there are women locomotive engi-
neers wood choppers, undertakerS, con-
ductors baggage handlers, bartenders, car
penterS, brick and stone maSOnS, boot
blacks pilots, electricians, civil engineers,
and in many other trades In the United
States. He paid a glowing tribute to the
army nurses and to woman in general The
speaker said he did not approve of the mas
culne female character. The kind of wo-
man all men respect is the gentle, refined,
Intelligent woman.
In conclusion General Wilson extended
congratulations to the class and then pre-
scented to them their diplomas.
The closing number on the program was
a study in expression. entitled THE Revolt
of Mother" which was given by the Del
sarte culture class.
List of Graduates.
The list of graduates who received diplo-
mas last evening was as follows:
Day class-Ethel Hoover Bartlett, District
of Columbia; Regina Touson Bartlett, Dis
trict of Columbia: Frances Forbes Cross
man. District of Columbia: Edna Murle
Greenlaw, Virginia: Dorothea May Hall,
New York: Flossie Aleina Hall, New York;
Signe >Gudrun Holther. District of Column
bia; Breta Sara Ingersoll. Maryland; May
sic Reed Kunsman. Minnesota: Susan Viola
McChesney Maryland: Grace Adele Yost,
District of Columbia: Oliver Blaine Clevin-
ger North Carolina: Frederick Michael
Crollard, Kansas: William Lloyd Davis,
West Virginia: Earl Hancock Kelley, Mis-
Uva1l 7 nv nr,6 Nf1fri q
of Columbia: Griffith Larcombe. District of
Columbia Ellsworth Lee Simpson. District
of Columbia; George Frederick Wingate,
New Jersey.
Night class-Katharine E. Cumberland,
District of Columbia: Martha Mendelssohn
Hellinger. District of Columbia; Rigel Os-
born Belt, Maryland; James p. Greeley.
Minnesota: ]. Harold Mcdowell, District of
Columbia: Fernand Richard Petit France;
Linwood Warren Roy, Ohio; John Leo Sui
Ivan. Delaware: John Henry Yeabower,
District of Columbia.
Shorthand and typewriting-Day class:
Mar1arat Wipifred ROrlran DiStr of 20