The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-10-20

Public Schools" The paper in full
follows
A great artist and a pessimist were
sitting at a window overlooking a
beautiful landscape.
This said the artist Is the most
beautiful sight | have ever witnessed.
See that stream. as it winds down
through the valley. That beautiful
grove On the right. The hills just be-
You'd. TIE cattle grazing in yonder
pasture. Only the God Of Nature can
make such picture as that.
Yes. said the pessimist, what You
say is perhaps true. but have you
noticed the specks on the window
glass?
Now we are all supposed to be ar
lists here this evening, certainly
none are pessimists, so hope that
the few specks of unfinished details
in this building that have caused the
board worry by day and loss of sleep
by night, will not interfere with your
pleasure and enjoyment on this occa
sion.
Extends q Welcome.
On behalf Of the Richmond School
Board, l welcome you. THIS truly, is
a great occasion. 1t is the first occa
sion of It's kind ever witnessed in the
United States. 1t Is the wedding OF
the Art interests of this city to the
highest educational institution the
city affords.
The benefits and blessings that
will come in future years as a result
of this union are greater and more
far reaching than any of us can now
imagine or contemplate.
This courtship began about IA years
ago. The board took keen parental
interest In the daughters love affairs
from the very beginning.
They attended to much small de
tails as furnishing the parlor lights
when the gallant young lover called
They saw to it that the house was in
order before his coming and after his
departure.
During all these years they watch
ed his conduct with keen interest and
like Jacob OF old. he has proven him
self worthy Of her heart and hand
and the board. like the ancient par
ents have consented. in fact have en-
couraged this marriage, have provided
a home as a wedding gift and welcome
you here this evening to see this hap
py pair. the Richmond Public Schools
and the Richmond Art Association
make their start in life together and
join with the board in wishing then
happiness. prosperity and all thu
blessings that wise Providence Cal
bestow.
During the IA years that these ar
exhibitions have been given ther'
have been only two changes in tn
membership of the school board.
This has not only been advantage
GUS to the best interests Of the schools
of the city, but 1t has been of benefi
to the Art association as 1t has givel
the board a good opportunity to SCI
the results of their work as shown
by these exhibitions from year t,
year.
Interest 10 General.
We have noticed from the very be
ginning Of these annual exhibits tn
general, almost universal interes
manifested by our citizens and hav
felt warranted as a result of this In
terest to lend 1t aid and encourage
ment.
| Our city council has taken nue.
the same view of this movement an
has voted 1t financial support in tn
past. This action on the part of on
city government met with the indorse
ment of our citizens and has been r.
ferred to with favorable comment i
Educational publications all over thi
land.
| We make the statement withou
fear of successful contradiction tina
this Art movement has done NOR
than anything else to attract after
ton, far and wide to our city an
give II, I dare say, a national rep,
tation for culture and refinement.
II this has been possible under tn
unfavorable conditions in the pas
what may we not hope for in the +,
ture under these new and adequat
surroundings.
Whatever opinions the individus
members might hold as to this Al
movement. the board, as the autho
ICED school authority of Richmon
can only recognize 1t as an education
al factor in our schools.
The interest manifested by on
citizens in educations as shown b
the phenomenal growth Of our hig
school. the increasing interest thu
Is being displayed both in and OF
OF school in the study of art and mi
Isle. the attendance by actual cour
Iof almost three-fourths of our entir
population at these annual exhibit
was, after fourteen years of observ;
Ition. sufficient proof to the scho<
board that our citizens do not put
commercial value upon the educatio
Of their boys and girls and that the
believe in. and demand that their chi
dren shall have all that is possible I
get in the way of education and Gu
iture.
i Feature Permanent.
Being thoroughly convinced of thi
fact. the board long since decide
that the art interests should and mu.
stay with the schools il the public l
general shall derive the benefit ths
should come from the carrying on {
such n movement.