Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-29
SCHOOL DEDICATION
MONTGOMERY BUILDING FORM
ALLY SET APART FOR USE.
Addresses by Commissioner Macfar-
land, DR.. j. A. Johnson, Superin-
tendent Stuart and Others.

After several postponements the cere-
monies incident to the dedication OF the
Henry p Montgomery School, on 21th
street northwest, were held this morning
at IL o'clock in that edifice. The building
was named for a deceased superintendent
of the colored public schools. The dediea-
ton was a signal tribute to his memory, as
there are but few schools in the District
which bear the names of teachers. This
fact was impressed upon the assemblage.
The exercises were quite simple. The
feature of the occasion was the manifest
purpose of the speakers to convey to the
youthful minds of the pupils who took an
active part i'm the ceremonies the meaning
of life of usefulness and its reward. A
discussion of the honor that has come TO
the foremost educators, in addition to the
benefits that make for the amelioration OF
an entire people, was had to which the
children listened attentively.
The ceremonies were held in the rotunda
of the first floor of the building, which was
profusely and artistically decorated for the
occasion. The lesson of patriotism was ex-
emplified In the decorations. Huge Ameri-
can flags were tastefully draped from the
ceiling to the pillars in the center of the
rotunda. About the base of the masonry
pillars were placed large palms and potted
plants, while to the left center of the ro-
|
the late Henry P. Montgomery.
Commissioner Henry B. F. mcfarland,
members of the board of education, other
school officials and the invited guests oc-
cuped seats facing the entrance of the
building The board of education was rep
resented by Mrs. H. NJ. West, Mrs. B. G.
Francis and DR.. r. kingsman and Super
intendent A. T. Stuart and Mr. James +.
Bundy, in addition to a number OF the SUI
pervising principals of the various di-
visions. The boys of the school stood on
the left of the rotunda and the girls on
the right. Mr. James F. Bundy presided.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
The dedicatory exercises were opened
with music by the entire school, followed
by invocation by the Rev. F. j. Grimke.
After a recitation, which concluded with
salute to the flag and music by the school,
Commissioner Macfarland was introduced.
He said in part
''Twenty-one public school buildings, in
Guiding the two manual training schools,
the best of their kind. and accommodating
thousands of pupils. have been opened in
the District of Columbia since became one
of the Commissioners. These buildings are
a credit to the national capital There are
costlier buildings elsewhere, but none bet
ter planned or better built. The District is
to be congratulated that the school accom-
modations are increasing rapidly that
soon it will be practicable to enforce a
compulsory education law, and the Com
missioners are preparing to submit to Con-
gress a substitute on the lines laid down
by the board of education for the present
ineffective law.
Most of the twenty-one school buildings
which the Commissioners have secured for
the District in these recent years have been
named, according to custom, for public
men, chiefly those who served the District
of Columbia in executive place. But from
time to time We very properly name
building for some departed man or woman
In ha OF xrvifh 6icfiy ,ofio
teacher. Our public school teachers de-
serve the honor of such recognition. They
deserve all the honor we can give them.
They are serving the District without adj
equate money compensation, honorably and
faithfully, and merit the respect and regard
which they receive from all right-thinking
people. Secure in the confidence of such
people, they can well afford to ignore the
attacks of the captiouS or the malicious
Henry Percivai Montgomery, for whom
this building is to be named, served the
District as teacher, after fine prepara-
tons in Vermont. from 1876 until he died, in
April 1889, supervising principal, inter-
ested and active in every kind of educa-
tional work for his race, and leaving behind
him that good name which is better than
riches. We are glad to honor his memory,
and We are glad to set his example for the
children who will come into this school so
long as its walls shall last.
DR.. Johnson's Eulogy.
The eulogy upon the life and character
of Henry p. Montgomery was delivered by
DR.. j. A. Johnson of Baltimore, Md,
former Washingtonian, who was personal
friend of the deceased. DR.. johnson stated
that he had learned to love Mr.. Montgom-
cry for his work. He was a man of rare
enthusiasm and it was his pleasure to work
in the advancement of education. Speak
ing to the children, the speaker told them
they should aim for high ideals and work
earnestly and devotedly for their attainment.
The life of Montgomery, he continued, is
an admirable example, and the cOlored race,
especially the boys, would do well to strive
to emulate his career. The school building.
he declared, should impress upon the pres
ent and future generations of the colored
race the value of good life. There are
men and women scattered over the United
States whose lives were Influenced by Mont
gomery. The speaker said the deceased
was unique in many respects and was a
friend to the lowly and the poor. In con-
Guiding his remarks DIR. johnson said
do not think that because you are col
ored children there is no place for you in
the world. Make place for yourself.
Do everything you undertake better than
any one else can do 1t.
Superintendent Stuart's Remarks.
In the course of his address Superinten-
dent Stuart called the names of the few
teachers whose memories have been SO
signally honored as to have an institution
of learning bear their names. In this con-
nectfon, he gave brief biographies of school
teachers who have received such recogni-
ton for their serv ces, naming a nong others
Hilton and Mccormick. In closng mis- ad-
dress Mr.. Stuart said In justice to the
memory of this good man, this great teach
en- the influences that go out from the
Henry p. Montgomery school should bear
his stamp-must make for righteousness
and truth and the uplifting of race that
has been honored by his living and that
should never cease to feel the inspiration of
his work.
Following the singing by the school of
America" Assistant Superintendent w. S.
Montgomery, brother of the deceased, in
short address, turned over the keys OF the
building to Miss Fannie Bruce, the princi-
pal The exercises concluded with the sing
ing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Commissioner Macfarand inspected each
room of the school and was introduced to
the teachers.