The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1906-06-14
GOOD CLOSING
MR.. PoLK.s SPLENDID ADDRESS
Pleasing Exercises at the Close OF the
Graded School.

SChOOl occurred Iuulsuay o'onlus,
June 7th.
On the rostrum were trustees OF the
school, the graduating class, Rev. J..
E. Holden, Rev. G. 7. Lumpkin, Mr..
A. P. Kitchin, and the speaker for the
occasion, Hon. Tasker Polk, Of War
renton.
The exercises we're opened with
prayer by Rev. ]. E. Holden, OF the
Methodist church. There was a ch )rus
by members OF the Eighth and Ninth
grades.
MIA. P. Kitchin in a few we'll
chosen sentences presented the speaker
referring to the fact that he has re-
Gently been chosen to represent War
rem and Vance counties in the Senate
branch of the next General Assem- bly,.
Paying a high compliment to his
splendid ability Mr.. Kitchin intro
duced Hon. Tasker Polk, and congratu-
lated the audience upon the opportu-
nifty to hear him.
MR.. PoLK's ADDRESS.
Standing before his audience with
ease and composure, the speaker looked
the student that be is and had not
his appearance, intelligent counte-
nance and piercing eye, told that he is
student, his audience soon would
have been convinced OF it from the
style, diction and phraseology OF hi.
masterful address. 1t was a poetic
gem in prose and showed the student
and philosopher in every sentence.
Mr.. Polk first spoke to the students
in style somewhat didactic, giving
| suggestions about life's great field Of
opportunity, and what may be gained
in 1t by good manners, courtesy. and
proper consideration for others. He
then discussed the five important yo
| ,ations-Chrlstian min lstry, the pro-
'ession OF teaching, the law, medicine
md agriculture.
The speaker, though himself law
| yer, showed marked familiarity with
The interests and success OF the other
professions, and the representatives OIL
the professions discussed we're
highly entertained and proftably in
structed by the address. The address
was made emphatic and torcetul
throughout by apt and pleasing illus
tratlons; and agriculture being the
last subject discussed, it was made sc
interesting and beautiful by the
speakers wealth of word painting that
all felt that home on the farm is the
happiest place Of all.
Want of space forblds any attempt
at analysis OF the address or anything
like full report. A gentleman Of
culture remarked at It's close that II
was the most charming address he had
ever heard except one, and that was
by Hon. John Temple Graves, of At
lanta. This was indeed high praise
placing Mr.. Polk alongside one of the
platform kings OF the South, but il
was we'll deserved.
Mr. Folks address was followed by 6
vocal quartette. Rev. G. T. Lumpkin
Of the Baptist church, presented tc
Miss Robe Shields, member of the
graduating class, two prizes, one for the
best essay on English Composition and
one for the best essay on Improvement
Of School Grounds.
The entire graduating class com
peted for these prizes, and it was quite
4 distinction for the same young lady
to secure both. Mr.. Lumpkin's pre-
sentation speech was quite appropri
ate and we'll received.
Just here occurred most pleasing
episode. Mr.. Ashby Dunn, one of tn.
first students to leave this school and
who has been a student at Wake Fores
College for two years, stepped to the
front, and in behalf of the Eigth and
Ninth grades, presented Superintendent
G. w. Wilson with a handsome gift
a set of beautiful gold studs, as token
OF their love and esteem. Mr.. Dunn,
brief presentation speech was timely
and appropriate. Superintendent Will
son was visibly affected by the Incl
dent, and was taken altogether by sur.
prise. He thanked the pupils TO,
their token of love and esteem and az
ured them that it was all reciprocated.
THE GRADUATING CLASS.
There was piano trio, and E. E
Hllliard, chairman of the board OF
trustees, presented the diplomas to the
graduating class, which consisted O.
the following young ladies' Mise.
Rebe Shields, Pauline Tillery, Carrie
Lawrence, Carew Jilcot, Mary Lewis
Media Taylor and Reba Clark.
Alter a piano trio, Superintendent
g. w. Wilson made the announce
ment that Elizabeth College has feret