The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-02
NEGRO SCHOOL CLOSES
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT
 STATE NORMAL.
Thirteen Students Read Essays and Re ceived Their Diplomas-President
 and Faculty Congratulated On the Work.


 Enthusiasm and cheering reports oi | progress attended the annual com mencement exercises of the State Nor nal School for negroes yesterday morn- ing. The scholastic year just closed was the most prosperous, the most bene- 1 ficial in the thirty years of existence Iof the institution, and President W. B. Paterson and his efficient faculty were warmly praised by visitors and speak CTS for their earnest work. under direc- ton of the State government, for the boys and girls of the negro race. During the year, 1.015 students were enrolled at the school and President Paterson announced that the roll would probably be larger the next year. Thir- teen students, six young men and seven young women, were in the graduating class of yesterday. The graduating class of 1905 will have thirty members.
 The commencement exercises proper took place beginning at 10 o'clock yes- terday morning. The exercises of tho literary societies were held last night and the school will be closed today af- ter the pupils have secured all of their books and turned their backs on study for their period of summer vacation.
 At 5 o'clock this afternoon the Board of Trustees of the institution, compris- ing some of the leading men of the State, will meet to receive reports of the years work and to plan for the next scholastic year. President Pater- son said yesterday that he would rec ommend to the Board that an addi- tional normal grade be established with eight teachers owing to the exten- sion of the Montgomery public school system. This. he said, would enable the school to take pupils who had pass ed through the city schools and pre- pare them to be teachers.
 The large auditorium in the main school building was filled beyond it's capacity when the commencement ex- ercises began at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. It was an audience of ne- groes. but 1t was nevertheless a fine, ell-behaved and interested audience, an audience that was respectful to the white persons who sat on the stage and an audience that aplauded every noble sentiment uttered by students or fa- cu1ty. The negroes in that audience were well-dressed and prosperous-look- ing. They appeared to understand and appreciate to the fullest extent the sig nificance of the occasion. They were especially vociferous in their applause when one of the speakers, Father Dor sey. a negro priest of St. Joseph's School, on the Mount Meigs read, de- clared that the right-minded negro did not seek, could not expect, social equality with the white race.
 The motto of the graduating class, Your Best is Only Good Enough" had a conspicuous place on the walls of tho auditorium and the class colors, gold and white. were used in the scheme of decoration.
 The members of the class were: An nie Leon Brown, J. Add Beverly, Mag gle B. Morgan, Leo J. Blount, Countess M. Harris. Robert Dandridge, Inez Odessa Moore. Lowell Beverly, Georgia Coleman, William F. Madison Anna F. Chant, Thomas J. Mayberry and Burkie Mae Miller.
 When the members of the class en- tered tho hall, they were greeted by President Paterson. members of the Board of Trustees and other white per sons, and all of the negro ministers of Montgomery who had seats on the stage.
 The exercises began with an eloquent invocation by Rev. E. P. Mayo, pastor execution of the following prepared program:
 Piano Solo, La Hongroise (Lacorue)- -Burkie Mae Miller.
 Salutatory and Essay. Today-Count- ess Harris.
 Essay, The Need for Reform Schools Annie L. Brown.
 Essay, The Object of Education-Leo J. Blount."
 Vocal Quartette. Kentucky Babe-Ed- gar Harris, Robert Dandrldge, Alfred Capleton, Patrick Taylor.
 Essay, The Oak-Georgia Coleman.
 nP TTu self. Add. Beverly.
 Essay. Children's Reading-Burkie Mae Miller.'
 Instrumental Due, Simple Aveu (Thome)-First piano, Rosa Nixon; second plano. Helen Jones; first violin, Miss DeJarnette; second violin, Miss Mccall.
 Essay. Lessons from History-Anna M. Ghantt.
 Essay. The Dignity of Labor-wil- liam F. Madison.
 Essay, Manual Training-Thomas
 Vocal Solo, He Was Prince-Anna l. Brown.
 Essay, The Kindergarten in Amer ica-Maggie B. Morgan.
 Essay, Purpose and Will the Chief Elements of Success-Lovell Beverly"
 Essay. Your Talent Is Your Call Inez O. Moore.~
 Grafton and Valedictory-Robert Dandridge.
 Piano Solo, La Chase Infernale Op. 23 (Kolling)-Maggie May Simpson.
 Sojourner Truth Club Essay (Tous- saint LOuverture)-Jame Rapier All exander.
 Delivery of Diplomas.
 Instrumental Quartette Gle Tourbil- Ion-Mottes)-Firs piano, Geofgia Cooleman, Inez Moore; second piano,