Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-06-17

The annual commencement at St
Johns College, that Tevered and time
honored institution of learning that has
graduated the leading statesmen and me n
OF letters in Maryland, was held this
morning in Nc Dowell Hall, which was
filed with large audience composed OF
ladies and gentlemen of intelligence and
culture from all parts OF the State.
The exercises ended the series OF those
of commencement week, which began
nearly week ago with the junior orato-
rical contest. Leaden skies and threat.
ening weather. damp ground and an
atmosphere almost at the point of satura.
ton, did not dampen the ardor or lessen
the enthusiasm OF the fair ones and large
crowds were in atter dance, Nc DowellHa all
being crowded both in main hail and
gallery, many having come from a dis
tance to witness the graduation OF sons,
brothers, nephews and sweethearts.
There were also present goodly
number of alumni, all of whom felt a
certain sense OF pride in their Alma Mater.
The graduating class numbered sixteen,
two less than last year, and are as fine
looking body OF young men as St.
Johns ever sent forth bearing the stamp
OF her training in knowledge and the
imprint of her culture. The class of 1909
cannot fail to carry away from the walls
OF old historic ST. Johns the influence OF
that exemplary Christian gentleman, DIR,
Fell, the president OF the college, under
whose careful training they have been
for the past four years.
Al 80 o'clock the exercises began.
To the music of portion of the Naval
Academy orchestra, the procession of
candidates for degrees, alumni, Ex Gov
ernor w. P. Whyte, the Superintendent
of the Naval Academy and the Board Of
Governors, presidents of colleges and
other disting guished visitors, the faculty
and president of the college, marched
into Mcdowell Hall and were seated
upon the rostrum. The program of ex-
rcises began with scrip,ural reading and
prayer by the Rev. H. II. Clark, ID. D.,
chaplain of the Naval Academy.
After music by the orchestra, Mr..
Charles A. Cummins, of Baltimore, the
second honor man of the class, delivered
the salutatory address. Mr.. Amos w,
Woodcock, OF Salisbury, delivered the
prize oration-"The Love of The Beau.
tiful." 1t was mastery effort and de-
livered in praiseworthy manner. Mr..
Woodcock. who is also honorman of the
class, won this prize in a competition
with four seniors the early part of the
week. Judges do not always decide ac-
cording to popular favor, but their de-
cision this year in the senior contest
met with universal approval. Mr.. Wood.
cocks oration, like bis subject, was
thing of beauty in dramatic ability,
subject matter and oratory.
DR.. FELL's REMARKS.
Before conferring the degrees, DR.. Fell
said it was the usual custom for the
president of the college to make brief
address on these occasions, but at this
time he did not deem this necessary.
He said at the college there were signs
of progress on every hand; that there
had been good work on the part of the
students throughout the college, and rood
work by the graduates; that new build
endowment fund had been increased and
that St. Johns outlook was veiy hopeful.
In presenting Mr.. Woodcock the prize
and his first honor certificate, and Mr..
Cummins. the second honors, DR.. Fell
said the honors had been well won.
Mr.. James M. Munroe delivered the
prize offered by the Baltimore Branch OF
the Alumni Association 10 Mr.. Drew II
Beatty. of North East, Md, for being
the best all-round man al the college.
MIR. Munroe made neat speech t. the
uas . eHGr~
which be summed up in trinity of vir-
tues a heart for love. the flag for patriot