The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-06-05

that have BEEN derived from this plan
and its effect upon the citizens of the
future. The delivery of Mr.. Parsons
was good and he left clear under
standing of the subject with his hear
ers.
Mr.. Gerald Caldwell spoke on "The
Utilization of Waste" and his paper
was perhaps the most instructive of
the evening. From it the audience got
an idea of how very little is wasted
either in the industrial world or in
municipalities. Mr. Caldwell told of
the use made by other cities of the
waste matter such as ashes and the
like, and pointed out how Mankato
could do likewise.
Two songs by the chorus followed.
One, May song by Smith, the other
Lowell's beautiful verse descriptive of
a day in June set to appropriate music
by Schneider.
Offerings in South America.
Miss Daisy Pew wildly pictured the
opening offered by South America as
the Land of Opportunity" explaining
why the resources were so undeveloped
and indicated the chance for Americans
to step in and make use of them.
Empress Louise of Prussia was the
subject of Miss Marcella Janda's pa
per, can Idweal German Character"
This young lady told how the heroic
and patriotic action of the emperess in
endeavorng to bring about peace with
Napoleon had won her a place in Ger
man history corresponding to Wash
ington's in ours.
A quartet composed of Miss Lora
LuIsdorf, Miss Nellie Ford, Mr.. Frank
Blyler and Mr.. Robb Williams, rem
dered a selection entitled "A Legend
of Varsovie." Miss Lulsdorf- had the
solo part and won the audience with
her clear soprano voice and pleasing
maner.
Mr.. Blyler's. subject, mississippi
Waterways" proved to be one of UNI
usual interest and was ably handled.
On account of the inefficiency of our
railroads, which have usurped the
traffic of the old river freighters, the
only way for the United States to hold
its own as a commercial power is for
congress to appropriate enough to put
our rivers in navigable condition and
this Mr.. Blyler strongly favored.
Talk BY Debater.
The next speaker, Mr.. Walter Keep
pen, possessed the best delivery of
any of those having parts. His ex-
perience as debater had much to do
with this but his treatment of the
subject. "The Future Citizenship"
was such as to command and hold
the strictest attention of all pres
ent. Mr.. Koeppen forcibly portrayed
the absolute necessity of higher citi-
zenship in the United States. He dis |
cussed child labor, showing how this
evil is detrimental to the children
physically, mentally and morally and
brought its disastrous consequences
clearly before the audience by relating
how ninety per cent of the English
workingmen who desired to enlist in
the BOer war were rejected on account
of physical disabilities. The awful in
fluence of the saloon and gambling den
on the children of today was wildly
pictured. Mr.. Koeppen declared that it
is our SACRED duty to create a proper
environment for the rearing of this
and future generations and closed
with an eloquent appeal for better
citizenship. Mr.. Koeppen's delivery
was above criticism and he not only
lived up to his reputation as an ora
tor, but surpassed all his previous eff
forts. When the young gentleman fin
ished he was greeted with hearty APP
plause, showing the large audience APP,
preciated his effort and agreed with his
ideas.
Almost in parallel with this was
the subject of the next speaker. If
Mr.. Koeppen made clear our duty to
the boys to today, Miss Weicking as
ably championed the cause of the girls.
Her essay, "Home Economics" dealt
with the future American woman. The
valedictorian of the graduating class
made nearnest plea for an age of
home makers who will lift us out of
our present state of frivolity and
hotel life into realization of our
true duties to society; for an age of
home makers who will do their share
in keeping the glorious ensign of our
great republic up to the high stand
ard and set by our fore fathers; for an
age of home makers to whom the
youth of tomorrow may turn for adj
vice and counsel in the stress of life.
Miss Wiecking asked that the severy
day duties of housekeeping be taught
in our public schools on an equal
standing with other branches. The
speakers intense earnestness was very
convincing, and her simple and pleas
ing manner won the admiration of the
audience
Miss Kathleen Hart sang two pref
ty solos and was well received.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Superintendent Mcconnell then pre-
scented the graduating class to Presi-
dent Evan Hughes of the board of ed
ucation, who gave a brief address He
pointed out to the students that what
ever they became in life, whatever
honors they attained, must come
through their own efforts. They were
urged to do to the best of their ability
whatever they undertook, as this was
the secret of success.
Mr.. Hughes then presented the di-
plomas to the graduates each coming
forward to receive the coveted prize as
his or her name was called.
The closing number of the chorus,
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" won
the applause usually. given Sousa's
popular and patriotic march. The lex-