Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-06-07
WINTHROP CLOSING.

IHe clOSlnB eNeTclSeS dt WlHlnTOp
college took place this week, and as
usual the occasion has been one Of
great interest to the people Of Rock
Hill, and thousands Of folks through
out the state.
Diplomas were delivered to 11S men,
bers of the graduating class last Tues
day night by Governor Blease. who by
virtue Of his office Is chairman Of the
board of trustees. In connection with
the delivery of the diplomas the gov
ernor made a short but appropriate ad-
dress. He took occasion to assert that
he had all along been q friend and sup
porter Of Winthrop college, and was
very proud indeed of the institution.
which he thinks Is one Of the states
greatest possessions. He called atten-
tion to the fact that he had not used
his veto against any Of the appropria-
tions for Winthrop and he undertook
to make very clear the impression that
he stands for the most liberal support
Of Winthrop.
The circumstance of the governors
delivery of the diplomas was Of special
interest because Of an unpleasant in
cident that occurred last year. Since
the establishment Of Winthrop as a
state institution the governor has been
officiating in this matter, regarding 1t
as a high privilege. For some reason
Governor Blease did not attend the
commencement last year and dispatches
were sent to northern papers explain
ing the matter with the declaration
that members of the graduating class
had declared that they would not have
a diploma II 1t had to come from such
a hyena." The story was afterward
denounced by President Johnson as
R,-at 80 Iou
there was a good deal Of feeling in con-
nection with the matter.
The Enquirer did not have a repre-
sentative present last Tuesday night;
but has been advised by people who
were there that they could see nothing
out Of the ordinary in the presentation
of diplomas. They say that the gov
ernor acted very much as any other
governor would and that the attitude
of the young ladies was about the same
as on former occasions. This from the
Rock Hill correspondence Of the Char
lotte Chronicle, however, seems to in
dicate that all people do not see the
same things exactly alike:
1.-The presence Of Gov. Cole L. Blease
at the graduating exercises Of the class
of 1912 Of Winthrop college and espe-
cially the fact that he took upon him
self the task of delivering the diplo-
mas and certificates to the young Ia
dies took away the glory Of the occa-
sion for many members Of the senior
class according to some Of the grad
uates This fact was evident to the
hundreds who were present, for hard
ly half a dozen Of the nearly ly 150
young women deigned to even bow to
his excellency as he handed over the
coveted scroll, while the large major
ity walked stolidly by without deign-
ing to glance even in his direction or
murmur sweetly a "thank-you." The
governor came up especially for the
occasion, not remaining over for the
meeting Of the trustees the next day.
The action Of the young ladies was
generally commented upon and many
declared that they did not blame the
graduates for their attitude, some go
ing so far as to say that they would
have refused to accept the scroll from
the hands Of the governor"
This summary Of the award of di-
plomas and certificates to York county
graduates Is from the Rock Hill Her
aid:
There were 113 graduates with the
degree of A. B.; three with the degree
Of B. S.; three with the degree Of L. l..
and one with the degree Of M. A. or
these eleven were Rock Hill girls.
Three received music certificates; six
received certificates in stenography
and typewriting; four certificates In
dressmaking and eighteen certificates
in millinery.
The Rock Hill graduates were Gen
evieve Beckham, Nor. Mus; Annie
Brown. Nor. Lit; Evelyn Frew, Nor.
Mus. Bessie Garrison. Nor. Sci;
Jessie NJ Marshall. Nor. Lit; Julia
Plexico. Nor. Lat: Essie May Poag,
Nor. Kgtn.; Florence M. Reid. Nor.
Lit: Fannie Lee Setter, Nor. Kgtn.;
Sadelle Stewart, Nor. Mus; Leona
Thomasson, No. Lat. Other York
graduates were Mary Cartwright, Nor.
Mus: Yorkville; Bessie L. Pegram,
Nor. Lat. Yorkville; Cammie Il. Rod
dey. Nor. Mus, Roddey's; Carrie c.
Roddey. Nor. Mus, Roddey's. ROCK
Hill young ladies receiving certificates
for special work were Margaret Frew,
music and millinery; Nancy Heath,
stenography and typewriting; May ID.
Simril. stenography and typewriting;
Leona Thomasson. millinery.