The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-12
Distinguished Educators Spoke
a.Of Advantages TO be Derived
from Improved Facilities
SAY BIRMINGHAM HAS
SET EXAMPLE TO SOUTH
Two Large Audiences Attend the cere-
monies Which Were Held in the
Auditorum-Dream of
Men Are Realized.

The dedicatory exercises of the new Bir-
mingham High school were held yester-
day There was a good attendance in the
afternoon and at night the ample capaci
ty of the auditorium was taxed to its ut
most.
The exercises were appropriate and
full of interest being commensurate with
the demands of the occasion. Besides
those persons of Birmingham identified
with school work there We're present
number of the foremost educators of the
country and it is difficult to conceive Of
auspices more favorable under which
could have taken place an event so dis
tinctive in the history of Birmingham. A
number of addresses were made. Praise
was accorded alike to the promoters of
the High school and to the liberality of
the citizens in creating an institution sec
ond TO none for its purposes. The after
noon programme after the singing of the
RED Tipped Daisy by the "Euterpean
club" was opened with the dedicatory
prayer by the Rev. DR. L. s. Handley.
w NJ Bremen, president of the Board
of Education, delivered the dedicatory adj
dress In part he said:
I'VE have met here this afternoon to
dedicate this building. On April IL, 1901,
two years ago today, an election was held
to vote for the issuance of bonds for the
erection of three elementary schools and
the Birmingham High school, The cleo
tion was carried overwhelmingly. No in
dividual can claim credit for this achieve
ment. 1t was the fruition of endeavorS
begun ten years ago.
1.-The building stands today credit to
the people of Birmingham. The Board OF
Education and the aldermen and the
citizens feel proud of it,"
The speaker gave due credit TO Mayor
Ward for the part he played in its in
ception.
Mr.. Bremen then introduced Mayor
George b. Ward who spoke in part as
follows:
Mayor Wards Speech.
Mr. President:
an representing your municipal govern
ment on this occasion 1t is with a great
deal of pride and satisfaction the city OF
Birmingham turns this splendid edlhee
over to the Board of Education with the
full KNOWLEDGE llldl iO iiiSA"iNS '4e%'
made, either in the large scale on which
the house has been built or in responding
ia a general demand for free education
along higher and technical lines.
IT happened to be on the Board of Al
dernaen when the movement started and
am almost ashamed to say, took very
little stock in it, like many other citizens
and aldermen, because ! doubted poth
the wisdom of going so heavily in debt
also the ability to
float the large bonds issues at fair prices.
Like the rest however, i was swept
along by the enthusiasm worked up by
the arguments of Dr. Phillips, Mr. Lane,
DIR. JTllman Mr. Smith and others of the
Board of Education, and the nerve, bold
ness and ability of Mayor Drennen, MI.
GRAY. Mr.. Thach and others of the Board
of Aldermen, who pushed the deal through
without regard to threats, objections or
criticisms. And now, fellow citizens, here
we stand today on this interesting occa-
sion dedicating the most beautiful temple
TO free education in the south and prov
ing that they were every one right and
are now entitled to the thanks of the
people,"
DIR. ]. II. Phillips, superintendent of
tba citv schools. was next introduced by
the president. His address follows:
Dr. Phillips Address.
.',rhe formal dedication of the Birming-
ham High school building is an inspiring
event that concerns not alone the officials
of our city, the Board of Education and
the teachers of our schools, but all the
people of Birmingham, who are primarily
responsible for its erection In the truest
and highest sense, this building stands
as an expression of democracy; it Is the
voice of the people crystalized in material
form, expressin the highest and noblest
sentiments of the community. The Board
of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of
Education have served as the means by
which this public sentiment was made