St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-06-10
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is filled with ether. and through this
electric sparks radiate in all direc-
tions very much like water ripples in
all directions when a pebble is drop
ped into it. The messages are sent
by means of a transformer. These
waves thus sent out were formerly
collected by coherers and the mes
sage finally made audible by receiv-
ing transmitters. Now in place of
the coherers, detecters are used. The
advantage of these is that they are
valvular in action and allow only di-
rect currents to pass. A message
was sent from the church to another
station across the street and the ans
wer was sent back, the little clicks
sounding very much like a telegraph.
The wireless telephone is coming. 1t
will be only a decade or so before
the wireless instruments will be as
indispensable to us as the electric
lights and telephones are today.
Melody in d by Faure was then
given by the st. Johnsbury Trio.
Samuel Ray Puffer, who has lived
several years in Mexico spoke on "A
Deposed Ruler The ruler refer
red to was President Felix Diaz of
Mexico. The first part of this paper
was a brief but comprehensive his
tory of Mexico. He stated that dur
ing the 10th century that country
was in the hands of Spanish gold
seekers and the rulers were very
cruel and unreasonable. In 1910 in
dependence was declared but after
1921 it was the person in command
of the largest army that was ruler.
These rulers had various titles, kings
emperors, presidents. Their rules
were short lived and the country
scene of great devastation and
slaughter. In 1876 Diaz was made
president and was faced with a ire
mendous task. The majority of the
people were poor and ignorant, ban
dts and outlaws oyerran the country
and everything was in turmoil and |
confusion. His first step was to re-
organize the army. With the rural |
guard as a nucleus within five years
he had a loyal band of $4,000 well |
drilled soldiers. Then came the de-
veloping of the country's resources.
Here foreign capital was brought in,
railroads, roads, telephones, and
plants followed. EV-
erything was put on a new financial
basis and revenues and taxes were
Nor were the schools for
given to the country and education
was made compulsory. The church
had been all powerful in Mexico, and
had levied very heavy taxes and
drained the country. This power
was broken. 1t was not long before
Mexico was recognized as a nation,
were sent there, and
commerce revived. Mexico sent out
silver, gold, oil, sugar and tobacco for
the manufactured products from the
other countries. DiaZ has been cri-
ticized but he accomplished peace
and made Mexico a recognized nation.
He is likened to some of our great
vet his task was even
greater for he brought peace out OF
chaos and governed a people that
did not want to be governed. He
failed because he was an idealist,
but Mexico will never be the same
again until there is another Diaz.
Pres. Thomas Address.
The principal of the school, Mar
Tin G. Benedict. then introduced
Pres. John M. Thomas of Middlebury
College. Mr.. Thomas is a favorite
with st. Johnsbury people and he
was welcomed enthusiastically. Mr..
Thomas began his address on "Suf-
lclent Ideals by cOngratulatlng the
members of the class of 1914 first
Tor graduating in Vermont and also
,or graduating from st. Johnsbury
Academy. 1t is a responsibility to
De from Vermont, because Vermont
s a state of great and influential
men. In the book who's Who In
out of the 1880 names
II per cent are from New England.
For every 100000 names Rhode Is
and has 80 and that is equalled by
Ohio alone in the states outside of
New England. Connecticut has 48,
Massachusetts, So, New Hampshire IS
Maine 72, and Vermont the largest
lumber of all, 101. But added to
he embarrassment of being a Yer
nonter of whom much is expected,
Tou who graduate from st. Johns
Jury Academy have a reputation of
many distinguished and influential
Alumni to live up to. Ideals, high
deals are necessary for this. One
annot live and do useful work with
ut ideals. To carry out these ideals
he first thing to do is to take care of
ourself physically. We are here
or hard work, and with the added
train of our busy present day world,
We need reserve force, force that will
tand the strain of hours, days and
ven months and years of constant
urrying. Our body should be our
Wiling and competent servant. |