The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-06-07
Commencement Exercises Held
Last Night at Theatre.
PROGRAM WELL CARRIED OUT
SixN-Three Young People Presented
With Diplomas; the Pretty
Decorations.
From SATURDAYS Daily,


Surrounded by a profusion of
beautiful flowers, and with handsome
decorations on every hand, the Man
kato high school class of 1912, held
their commencement exercises in the
Mankato Theatre last night. The
playhouse was crowded as the nor
NAL hall was crowded the night
previous when President George E.
Vincent spoke at the normal COM
mencement. The program was in
teresting, educational and the sub
jects discussed exhibited careful
training on the part of those who
read essays. Sixty-three students re.
ceived their diplomas, eleven of
whom were honor students.
The large auditorium of the the
atre was tastefully decorated with
potted plants, large ferns and banks
of snowballs and other flowers. The
stage-settings were in keeping with
the decorations and the seats for
the class were nicely arranged. The
decorations had been made by the
sophomore class as is the custom.
and the members deserve credit for
the tasteful way in which they car
ried out the work
The program was begun with an
overture by Lamm's orchestra, fol-
lowed by invocation by Rev. c. B.
Osgood. "The Lost Chord" is the
title of a beautiful song rendered
by the Girls and Boys Glee clubs.
Problem of Rural Schools.
Miss Agnes Rud was the first OF
the speakers, her topic being "The
Problem of the Rural School," which
she handled in convincing way.
She spoke of the decline of the
rural population and it's causes,
which were simple indeed, as the
farmer has come to the point where
he wants his children to receive as
good educations as the children of
the city, and desires better social
conditions, hence the passing of the
little red school house.
She advocated the establishment
of the consolidated country school,
and told of its advantages. If this
is done, the curriculum should be
made up of social life, such as chill
dren come in contact with in daily
life. The association with a larger
number of people, better equipment,
etc., were only few of the advan-
tages of the consolidated school.
Her grafton was followed by
song by the Girls Glee club emit
tied, (a) Flowers Awake by War
ner, and (b) Dance of the Dragon
Flies, by Reinecke.
1.-THE Laboring Man."
Henry Roust had chosen a topic
that proved of interest to every
class of people, although it concern
ed itself with but one class
namely, 1.-THE Laboring Man" mo
one" he said, wants to become
work, the low wages, and the social
place he is placed in"
He ascribed much of the abom-
Unable condition of a large number
of laboing men, to the greed OF
their employers. The waste of la
Dor and health in many factories,
together with the child labor, are
outrageous, he said. The unsanitary
conditions of the factories is also
caused by greed. This has gone to
such a point that the employers
have even built houses and COMPEL
ed their employees to rent them.
These houses are usually unsani-
tary, small and overcrowded.
The fact that he labors for his
daily bread is no reason why he
should not be elevated to a higher
social plane. This is a fault of
not only the laborer but all classes
of people, and all classes should
join to help him arise to higher
plane Stringent labor laws are
now being enacted and enforced, to
employers to use sanitary
factories, homes, etc, for their
workmen.
Discussed the Opera.
Miss Stella Olson, one of the hon.
Or students, had chosen topic
with which she was familiar, Lob
Greatest of Wagner's
operas. She gave a brief history
Of the great musician, and the con-
iitions he worked under, and how
he came to compose this great
piece of music, that is known far
and wide. The various changes, as
This piece progressed, was describ-
ed with vivid correctness, the changs
from the harmony, to the work Of
he mythical heroes of the banks
Of the Rhine, were spoken of in
such way that the audience was
carried through all the various
phases of this composition.
The quartet from "Rigoletto," by
he Girls and Boys Glee clubs,
proved treat, and gave evidence
If wonderful training by Miss Fan
lie Pitcher, of the musical depart
nent, who directed the musical num-
,ers at the exercises last night.
Miss Emma Wiecking had chosen
or her grafton, subject that is
It present occupying the attention
If nearly all the large cities, not
,nly in this country, but in Europe,
md that is the center of discussion
If the civic leagues and newspa-
,ers. Gardens" in all their phases.
vegetable and flower, for remunera-
ion and for pleasure. were discuss
ID by Miss Wiecking.
Making of Gardens.
The making of gardens belongs
o all times, dating back into his
Continued on Page Six.