The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-22
MAYOR SPEAKS
TO YOUNG MEN
Successful Year at Mechanics In
stitutc Comes to Close With
Interesting Exercises.
NEW CITY FLAG UNFURLED
NEW CITY FLAG uNFuRLED
John 2. Lee, it,, Wins Two Gold
Mcdals-List OF Hon

The closing exercises of the Virginia
Mechanics Institute We're held last
night. the occasion proving one of the
most notable in the history OF the In
presided with grace and dignity, and
introduced as tho first speaker Super
intendcnt Frank w. Duke, who has
been associated with the institute dur
a brief historical sketch OF the work
of the night school Of technology, and
spoke forcibly OF tho place this school
holds In the hearts of the people of
Richmond, He called attention to tho
fact that this institute is one of the
mechanics institutes in the country,
and dates its origin from 1854.
From 1851 to 1854, the school was
unable to open, first on account of tho
war, and later, on account OF the de-
pletcd resources of this community
following the war. The superintendent
showed how the work has grown from
ia students in 1884 to 900 students in
1900. and 552 during the past session.
It's record of attendance Is. second to
no institution of Its kind whose records
have been seen. The percentage OF At
tendance during the past session was
81 per cent, as compared with general
of the day public schools
of Sc per cent. Other sight schools
vary in attendance from do to 40 per
cent.
=
Mayor Carlton Mccarthy was grace
fullyFpresented to the audience by Vice
President Mann S. Quarles, whose posi-
ton as chairman Of the committee on
schools, Is most oncrous one. HOW
well he has acquitted himself OF this
task was shown by tie many evidences
OF successful work done by the stu
dents during the past session.
The address of Mayor Mccarthy fol-
lowed. and was replete with the char
acteristic utterhnces OF R1chmond's
Chief Executive. The Mayor took for
his theme, preparation and Oppor-
tunity."
opportunity. Preparations Is essential in
every walk Of life. 1t must be behind
every piece Of work creditably done.
Young men should also possess patience
Patience is found in every great man;
in fact. it is one Of the marks OF
true greatness. Avoid impatience; 1t
is at best but a waste of time.
Mayor Mccarthy warned young men
against the evil of allowing knowl-
edge to get ahead of moral strength
end power. Schools are not established
to teach q man how to earn his living
but to mold his character and to pre-.
pare that man for sacrificing his al
for some great purpose.
"Education," the Mayor continued
SHOULD not interfere with character
Man la the prime essential. Appliee
sciences are all very we'll, but in order
to get the best from them, YOU have
got to have applied man.
The Mayor spoke regarding the
monetary conditions In this country
Money Is not omnipotent, he said
Money is the servant of a great sou
and the master Of a small one.
Flag Unfurlcd.
In conclusion, the speaker said tina
the young men on leaving school ant
starting life would find he was not sucf
great power as he thought. He vii
receive rebuffs. but must not be dis.
courag ed. There are plenty more things
yet TO be done. This country Is In Its
infancy and the world is young, ant
there will always be an opportunity
for a man, man who knows and Is
prepared to accomplish something.
The Mayors speech was very humor:
GUS and abounded in epigrams ant
forceful quotation. He held his au.
dience from the start, and the applause
which followed was prolonged.
The Lou Morr" gold medal. the gift
Of Mr.. Henry S. Hutzler for the best
work in the first year class in cleo
trcity, was delivered to John p Lee
Jr.a by DR.. II. c. Woodward. The
Chewing medal, the gift OF A. ]