The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
38 GRADUATES IF
 THE HIGH SCHOOL
Diplomas Presented at Jefferson
 Theatre Last Night
EXERCISES INTERESTING
pr. Cunningham Delivers Eloquent Ad- dress In Which He Advocates More Pay for School Teachers.
 Wit Causes Laughter.

VIII OduSCS Lab8itCis
 An audience that packed the Jefferson theatre to the doors assembled last night to witness the graduation exercises of the Birmingham High school It was the twentieth annual commencement and thirty-eight diplomas were awarded Af- ter two vocal selections by the High School Euterpean club and an invocation by the Rev. Sterling J. Foster, President A, O. Lane of the board of education, in- troduced Acting Gov. R. M. Cunningham who delivered the annual address
 Dr. Cunningham took as his subject Public Education by Local Taxation, " and handled the question in a masterly way. He began by stating that the edu- cated man and woman was not merely a good linguist. a good rhetorieian or capable mathematician bat the person who was equipped to nuke living in the world. He dwelt at length on the value of technical training and the slow advancement that has been made In Ala bama, stating that 1t Is impossible to find men capable of teaching scientific agri- culture in the schools of the state.
 Dr. Cunningham also said that Ala bama was behind in all branches of edu- cation, chiefly as result of lack of funds He said that not half of the school children of the state were even enrolled for school duties and the funds at hand for maintaining the public schools of the state amounted to about $1. 40 for each child every year This rid iculous sum can not be augmented by the state, for 1t is a hard struggle now to make both ends meet. Even if the state officials were to give up their salaries there would not be enough money to go around. The constitution drawn up by the last legislature prevents an increase of taxation and that can not be swept away. The only solution of the problem is local taxation If the citizens can be prevailed upon to make the sacrifice Ala bama will make rapid strides forward and will leave behind the stigma of illit- eracy.
 Salaries Too Low.
 The speaker said that school teachers in Alabama are paid miserable salaries and that is another reason why educa- ton is retarded in Alabama. The average white teacher is paid about $So a month, and the average colored teacher about $20 Under these conditions 1t is not sur prising that such a large percentage of the population of Alabama is unable to read and write. At present of each 65 cents taxes paid to the state treasury, 30 cents goes to the school fund 9 cents to running the machinery of government and 10 cents to the old soldiers. The speaker said he was sorry that the state could not give 20 cents to the old soldiers, but 1t was impossible, and the state could give no more to the school fund to improve the condition of the 775,OOO school children in Alabama.
 The speaker dwelt at some length on the splendid educational institutions of the state, which gre flourishing in spite of the meagre funds allowed them for mainten- ance He pointed to the State university, the Alabama Polltechnic institute, the dis trict agricultural colleges, the normal col lege and the excellent public schools in tho larger towns and cities, saying that it should be the ambition of every mem- Der of the graduating class before him to finish his or her studies at some one of these higher institutions.
 Caused Much Laughter.
 Dr. Cunningham was In a jovial humor, and some of his happy remarks were greeted with much laughter, especially when he was contrasting the advantages ~ rod wifi an education merely literary. He made a brilliant plea for the advancement Of education by local taxation, and finished with an eloquent peroration eulogizing the cause of the schools. He was loudly ap- plauded at the conclusion of his remarks which lasted little over half an hour.
 The presentation of diplomas was made hy Lii P Smith. MT. Smith was intro ducod by the Hon. A. O. Lane, and made short talk to the graduating class that was both witty and eloquent. The fol lowing graduates were awarded diplomas The Graduates.
 Pauline Allec, Amelia Derris Sandman Janet DaIe Barrow. Lucy Cabaniss Bick. ley, Ira Eradheld, Mary Carr, Mary Co. rinne Chisholm, Harvey Frederick Clover Thomas Joseph Cunningham, Alan James paly. Lucy Lykes Downey, Lucy Emmei Frazer, Mary Martha Gillespy, Myra Liny '.raham, Geraldine Hall. Donald | Clinton Harrison. Jack Whitehead Heard IIulda Mary Horton, Elizabeth Evelyn James, ,Iinnie Kroman, Flosse Florence Lazarus. Mary Johnston Mapes, Minnie Rose McNeill, Bert Monroe Meadow, Bes-