The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-18
JEFFERSON DAY
 IN ALABAMA Fir | State to Observe Birthday As Legal Holiday COMMENCEMENT DATES The 19 State Institutes of Learning Set Time for Annual Closing Events. Extra Session May Come
 Late In Year.
COMMENCEMENT DATES

Montgomery March 17.-(speeial.) )-"So far as l can learn Alabama is the first state in the union to set aside the birth day of that great American, Thomas Jer- ferson, as legal holiday" says State Su- perintendent of Education H. C. Gunnells, in preface to Jefferson day programme which he has prepared for use in the schools of the state. At the suggestion of Col. Sam Will John, who I under stand is responsible for this designation" continues MT. Gunnells, ''the department of education is issuing a suggestive pro- gramme for the celebration of that day.
 The bill setting apart this day as one of respect and honor in the state was presented in the house of representatives and passed by Col. Sam Will John, a member from Jefferson county. It Is an- ticipated that it will grow to be one of the most sacred of the secular occasions of the state. Superintendent Gunnells in his address incident to the day. puts the sentiments of the friends of the measure when he says: T can imagine no event Which can be more appropriately cele- brated in the schools of the state than the birthday of Thomas Jefferson
 Then MT. Gunnells goes ahead to say that the work of MT. Jefferson in the cause of education and the uplift of the people, his statesmanship, his patriotism and prophetic vision have made the south
 
 lines. Let us do him honor. Jefferson wrote his own epitaph, and it is inscribed on his tombstone at Monticello. It reads as follows Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of In dependence, of the statutes of Virginia for religious freedom and father of the Uni versity of Virginia
 On the bit of paper upon which Jef- ferson had written the inscription that he desired upon his monument, was added the following sentence, Because by these as testimonials that I have lived, l wish most to be remembered.'
 This great man, former President of the United States, having occupied other official positions of great prominence de- clared that he wanted to live in the mem ory of the people not for these, but on account of what he had done in the name of political and religious freedom and the cause of education
 In the preparation of the address Mir Gunnells acknowledges obligation to Colonel John, the author of the bill; Dr. Thomas M. Owen, director of the depart ment of archives and history, and MT. w. C. Swanson of the educational depart ment.
 Bird Day Set Aside.
 In setting aside May as day for giv- ing special attention to birds in the schools of the state, State Superintendent of Education H. c. Gunnells says: "The interest and enthusiasm created by the celebration of this day in 1898 has per suaded me that there can be no other way to bring close to the children the forests, fields and streams than to have them take a holiday from their usual school day routine and have called to their attention the stories which nature tels''
 MT. Gunnells is sending out a pamphlet containing a programme for the celebra- tion of the day. It Is set aside by legis- lative enactment, the bill having been passed at the suggestion of State Game and Fish Commissioner John H. Wallace, Jr., to whom MT. Gunnells acknowledges indebtedness in the compilation of the matter sent out. After urging that the day be kept in all the schools, MT. Gun nels concludes: Teach the children about the birds, the habits of birds, the necessity of preserving the birds, and you will do the state and the children an in calculable good"
 Commencement Dates.
 Date of commencement exercises of 19 state institutions have been set accord ing to the record of the department of education. The first Is the deaf and blind school at Talladega, May 9, and they run to June B. and even later. The list follows:
 University of Alabama, May 23-26; Ala bama Polytechnic institute, May 30. June 2; Alabama Girls Industrial school June 6-8 Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind, May 9-12; Florence Normal, May 2S-31; Jacksonville Normal, May 30-June 2; Troy Normal, May 16-19; Livingston Normal, May 23-26; Daphne Normal. May 16-19; Moundville Normal, May 2S-30; First Dis trict Agricultural school, May 16-19; Sec ond District Agricultural school. June 2-3: Third District Agricultural school, May 23-26; Fourth District Agricultural school May 16-tS; Fifth District Agricultural school May 23-26 Sixth District Agricul- tural school, May 9-11 Seventh District Agrultural school, May 16-19: Eighth District Agricultural school May 9-11; Ninth District Agricultural school, May 9-12.
 Time of Extra Session.
 If the supreme court does not invalidate the prohibition bill there will likely be no extra session of the legislature until