Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-21
EASTERh'S CLASS DAY
Local High Schools Ante
Graduation Exercises.
BIG CROWD PRESENT
PROMINENT SCHOOL OFFICIALS
MAKE RELIGIOUS ADDRESSES.
Program Evokes Applause-Bare Men
ton of Recent Controversy With
the Principal.


Under the calm which marked the exer-
eises attending class day exercises at the
Eastern High School last night there was
evidently feeling of unrest. The recent
troubles at the school, coupled with the
recommendations of the faculty. have put
the people of East Washington in anything
but a comfortable frame of mind, and
every one thought the student body would
take advantage of the opportunities class
day afforded to pay their respects to those
whom they felt had sought their undoing.
But throughout the exercises. which were
interesting there was but suggestion of
the late unpleasantness When President
Burrttt referred to the absence of Princi-
pal Swartzell and sought to excuse him by
pleading previous engagement the audi
ence Uttered, and when he referred to the
recompense which Prof. Hughes of the
Central High School would surely bring
with his remarks, the audience applauded
vigorously. This showed in some measure
the temper of the student body, which was
later emphasized when the class prophet
In his opening remarks, referred to the
difficulty he had experienced in gradua ting
Beyond these two indirect references to
the recent troubles there nothing to
disturb the serenity of the evening, and the
program was carried out with rare diScre-
ton by the students, who automatically
unpleasant character.
School officials Present.
The presence of three of the foremost ed
ucators of the city contributed much to
this end. Superintendent Stuart was there.
and during his remarks referred in no I'M
certain way to his friendship for the East
erp Hipb School he audience ipterprete6
it to mean that he was standing by the
pupils in their troubles. Then Professor
Hughes also took occasion to plead his
friendship for Eastern. President Gordon
was if anything, more diplomatic. He
said his friendship was not bounded either
by Rock creek or by 1th street and Rhode
Island avenue. He knew no boundaries in
his love and admiration for the public
school pupils of Washington.
BY o'clock every seat in the large hall
was taken. Members of the company which
won the competitive drill acted ushers.
The hall was tastefully decorated with light
blue and white, the class coors, and the
stage and proscenium arch were also COW
cred. On the field of blue and white, which
formed the background of the stage. was
the class motto in Latin-Non verba, sed
facta Some wag facetiously remarked last
night that the motto was well selected. The
class had certainly distinguished itself by
it's deeds; couaon -, .,o ,oou, - -
ton, Superintendent Stuart of the public
schools and Prof. Hughes, director OF high
schools, all occupied seats upon the plat
form, with many of the students who were
on the program as participants
There was a section of the Marine Band
there, too, and the musical part of the pro-
gram was greatly enjoyed.
Shortly after the hour set for beginning
the exercises, the prospective graduates
entered the hall. to the strains of the old
familiar High School March, which helped
make Sousa famous. The young ladies
came cam nIsa' folio followed by the young gentle
Immediately in front of the stage
The Addresses.
President C. C. Burritt of the class of
1905 welcomed the audience in few we'll
chosen words and introduced Superinten-
dent A. T. Stuart. He rejoice that those
who framed the program had put him down
for remarks" only. and illustrated his po-
sition by relating a funny story in which
an old colored man, when asked why he
did not become preacher, replied: Honey,
when you is preacher, youse got to hab
a text and stick to it. Now, Use what
you call an exhorter. 1 kin branch OUT
remarks" He need not stick to any text
but could branch out.
There was feeling akin to coming back
nome MI: Stuart said, to be with the stu
dents. His home had been in East Wash
inSton, and his heart was with the old
Eastern High School, He said he was in
a better position to be the class prophet
than any one selected by the class He
might tell what the twenty-seyen Young
ladies had accomplished in their examina-
tons for teachers positions. But he would
reserve that for tomorrow night. He re-
counted what Eastern High School puniIs
had accomplished intellectually in the pa ST
and pointed out the brilliant future which
awaited all her graduates
After Miss Mary Edith Pickering had rem
no cn1n In,
manner, President Burrtt referred to the
next number on the program-faculty adj
dress by Mr.. NJ. F. Swartzell, PRINCIPAL
OF the Eastern High School. President
Burrltt explained that the program had
been made up without consulting Mr.
Swartzell, 1t being taken for granted that
he would address the students. When APP
preached upon the subject after the pro-
gram had been printed Mr.. SwartZell ex
planned that he had an important engage
ment which he could not break and he
trusted his excuses would be made to the
class for condition which made it i'm
possible for him to speak.
During Mr.. Burritt's explanation the
audience broke into laughter When he
announced the presence Of Prof. Hughes
slight recompense for the disappointment,
the audience vociferousiy applauded.
Prof. Hughes Talks to Graduates.
Prof Hughes stated that he was not l
consulted when the program had been made
u.
Had he been. there was every reason to
believe that he too would have pleaded a
previous engagement. He made his re-
marks directly to the graduating class, and
told of the necessity of having in life two
things to guide them, a purpose and a
plan. He conjured them to be faithful to
that purpose and to work out the plan
which was to accomplish the purpose. Let
that purpose be strong and true, some
thing that shall bring out high ideals Of
manhood and womanhood. no matter how
great the obstacles. Bring into your plan,
he said, every factor that the world af-
fords. and when success had been achieved,
be proud of the fact that you have repre-
scented in a faithful way your alma mater
He closed his remarks with selection
from Tennyson.
Glass Exercises.
Mr. C. C. Huntington told In an inter-
esting way of the history of the class Of
1905, and wove into his fabric of facts many
quips and sallies at the expense of his
classmates His history was voted to be
satisfactory by prolonged applause. Miss
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