The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-05-05
CON MENCEMENT AT PARK
TON.

Excellent and Entertaining Ex-
ercises at Close of Parkton
Graded School-Some Nota-
bic Speakers and Speeches.
Reported for The Robesonian
In attempting to give an ac-
count of the most excellent and |
entertaining exercises had on
this occasion, we feel a deep
sense of our inability to do the
occasion anything like justice.
Owing to the sickness of the
principal, Prof. J. H. Forbis, no
printed programme was gotten
out, to we have to depend large
ly upon a treacherous memory
and few imperfect dots taken
on the grounds. We did not ar
rive on the grounds until 12
O'Clock, M, Tuesday, but the ex-
ercises of the primary depart
ment were held Monday night,
and from the account of those
present, were of very high and
interesting order. After music
by the Parkton concert band, lit
tie MissHenrietta Mcmillan made
a decided hit by singing Gin
derella in Flower Land". We
speak of this only because we
heard it so much spoken of and
highly commended. Many other
songs, recitations and music de-
serve special mention, but as our
memory is in fault we fear to
attempt such distinction.
Tuesday morning the exercises
were confined to debate between
six young men, the question for
discussion being, Resolved, That
the Philippine Islands should be
Retained by the United States.
The speakers for the affirmative
were B. A. Mcdonald, H. B.Cul-
berth and G. P. Stanly;negative,
O. L. Johnson, Jr., J. F. Will
hanson and J. P. Watts. Accord
ing to DR.. Stephens and Presi-
dent Cobb of the Farmers Un-
ion, this discussion was of more
than ordinary interest; in fact
they pronounced it the very best
they had ever heard. The dis
cussion was so very close it was
hard to decide who the winners
were, but, after some dilibera-
ton, was decided in favor of the
negative. After the discussion
recess for dinner was announced,
and here was where your cores
pondent came in in full force. Din
ner IN the homes, dinner on the
ground, in fact dinner all over
town. We were entertained at the
hospitable home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Collier Cobb, and if all present
were as handsomely taken care Of
as this scribe there will be a big
crowd at the next commencement
at Parkton.
The evening exercises were
again opened by the concer'
band, after which w. S. Cobb
president of the Farmers Uniol
for Robson county, introduced
DR.. Stephens, of the A. & M
College, OF Raleigh. The doctc
took for his subject ''Scientifi
Education" We took some note
as he waded into this deep an
all-important subject that is to
day being so extensively talke
about, and is being to some eY
tent practiced by our farmers
but our notes are SO imperfec
we feel we would be doing Dl
Stephens an injustice to attemp
to give anything like a synopsis
but we want to say that we haV
never heard a more succlnc
clear, clean, learned address @
the subject, or any other subJec
The doctor mas a clear, smootht
pleasant face, and speaks wit
great ease and effect; and "
were thinking as the address w;
beingdelivered how much OF
people were indebted to Pres
dent Cobb for securing such ab
and well-quaiifed me1 to discu
this subject of so much lmpo
tance to the far m ars of the coul
ty, and this continuous present
ton at all our important scho
commandments must bring fer
ractical fruit in days to come.
~. B. f. Dixon, Our able, we
known and eloquent State Aut
tor, was the next speaker.
took for the basis of his adore
Blood, Environment and Educ
tion." H paid glowing trlou