The Baraboo news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1884-1911, 1904-06-15
DIPLoM AS.
Presented to the High School
Graduating Class.
From Thursdays DailyJ

to be present at the graduating ex.
ercises of the Baraboo High school.
The exercises were not so exten-
ded as to make the audience ser
iously tired and all enjoyed the var
ed and excellent program presen-
ted.
The stage was beautifully decor
ated with palms, ferns and flowers
and at the rear of the class hung
the colors of the republic.
The graduates were seated
on steps one above another giving
avery pretty effect.
The address by the president of
the class, Walter Andrews, com
prised a short biography of the
class of 1904, which he closed by
saying that the number graduating
proved the value which Baraboo
placed upon High school diploma.
Then followed a brief sketch of the
educational policy of the United
States and state governments,
and plea for education as essen
tial to the happiness of the indivi-
ual and the welfare of the state.
Miss Mabel Smith spoke upon the
subject "The Freedman in 1904"
substantially as follows: At the
close of the war, congress attempt
ed to settle the Negro question by
means of the fourteenth and fif-
teenth amendments. Yet, today,
it is farther from settlement than
in '65. Meantime prejudice has
yielded to reason and the verdict
of experience and the most intelli-
gent, best informed men, North as
well as south, are admitting that
the experiment of Negro suffrage
has so far proved failure. Meth
er has the freedman advanced
morally and industrially as it was
anticipated he would. Therefore
the statesmen of the present gen
Grafton are seeking some solution of
the problem which, while leaving
the negro every incentive to advan-
cement, will yet not burden him
with the responsibility beyond his
power to bear. The abolitionist of
1863 confdentially beckoned the
freedman from far-away, inacces-
sible height; the reformer of the
present, walking by his side, must
guide him, step by step, where or
how far we may not know"
The valedictory, as usual, was
delivered by that member of the
class having the highest average
standing in the four years work.
Miss Eta Clark, as the winner of
this honor, spoke of the first grad
uating class of the Baraboo High
school, contrasting conditions of
then and now, spointed out the old
building, as the only thing remain
ing unchanged after all these years,
and urged that coming graduating
classes might have building ade-
quate to their needs. She closed
with a farewell addressed to the
citizens, the school board, Mr.. Geh-
rand, the faculty, and the under
classmen.
All of the addresses were decidedly
excellent and showed rare train
| ing in this line. Both the delivery
and thought we're of the brightest
character.
The musical portion of the even
ing's exercises was particularly en-
| ioyable. The high school cbor US in
the opening number and the class
song under the direction of Miss
Petry we're given with a smooth
ness and incision that showed most
careful preparation. No little
credit is due the pupils and their
instructor for the excellence of the
results of the years work in this
department. The vocal solos by
Miss Jessie Slade and Harry Clark
elected enthusiastic applause. The
violin obligato to the latter was
supplied by DR.. Turner. The piano
solo by Miss Lucretia Hunter and
the violin number by Herbert
White we're pleasing in character
and were well received. Miss
Clara Risely and Miss Edith Hackett
assisted as accompanies.
The class was presented by Supt
q. W. Gehrand and in his message
he gave some most excellent advice