The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-12-24
800 Inspect Ruilding And
Hear Dedication Talks
In Auditorium.
PAY TEACHERS MORE
SAYS FIR. MURTAUGH
State 'Supt. Gas Promises Cape
Will Long For Larger
School Soon.

/ SluutHIS anu pros ptCllNe SluUeHlS anu
their parents-attended the dedicatOry
exercises for the new Central High
School, held last night in the school au-
ditOrium, when Howard A. Gass, state
superintendent of public schools, and
many others spoke.
The program in the auditorium, was
Immediately preceded by tour of in
/ spectiOn over the building by the Wis
itors at the school, The building had
been open for public inspection from l
o'clock yesterday afternoon and many
scores of visitors were escorted
through the place.
The new high school is considered
the last word in point of construction
and efficiency of its equipment. Men
who have had occasion to examine
high schools in other towns in the
state last night declared that the
Cape's educational plant ranks among
the best in the state.
For the investment that has been
made, the building is complete in ev-
cry way 1t is of a durable and eco
nomic type of construction. 1t cost
/ the city virtually 100000 completed
and embodies many of the latest ideas
in school equipment.
The program in the auditorium was
opened by two selections played by
the high school orchestra. "Under
the Double Eage" and Spirit of the
Dance" were the selections that were
played.
Following that, the members of the
Board Of Education, the members of
the citizens campaign committee that
worked for the school bonds election
two years ago, all the speakers and
public officials, were escorted to seats
upon the stage.
Rev J. II. Knchans read the invoca-
ton in both the English and German
languages. J. w. Phillips, president
of the Board of Education, presided
as chairman Of the meeting.
The opening talk was made by Su-
perintendent J. n. Croker, who out
/ lined the history of the high school
and other schools in the Cape. He gave
| figures to show the remarkable in
crease in the enrolment Of the high
school in the last eight years.
| Eight years ago, the Cape had no
| fOur-year course in the high school.
At that time, only ii pupils were en-
rolled in a one-year course in high
school work. Others who wished for a
higher educational training went to
the Normal School.
1t was not until 1911-12 that
class of four students were graduated
from fOur-year course in high school
work. That year the enrolment in
the high school was tifty-three.
The enrolment has seen a steady in
crease, some years the number jump
ing up to almost double its former
figures. The enrolment in the high
school now is ISL and the senior class
has 10 students.
". S. Dearmont, on behalf of the
Normal School, made a short address
on the value of a Strong High
School to Cape Girardeau," in which he
outlined the results of an educators
Investigations at Portchester, New
York
This man observed 500 school boys
for 10 years. His observations show
ed that of the large number that
stopped going to school when they had
completed the grammar school course,
a large number never were able to in
crease the amount of their earnings
and large number made what may be
termed as total failures Of their lives.
Out of the number he selected of
those who attained higher education,
the tables were turned and the vast
majority attained economic independ-
ence whereas a few exceptions failed. |
Dearmont drew this study as an OBJ
ject lesson as to what high school
training means to young people in a
real dollars and cents way.
Rev. Father James Murtaugh, rep
resenting the parocnial schools of the
city, spoke in favor of increasing the |
salaries of the teaching corps in the |
city.
"'The citizens of the Cape are not |
done when they have finished this fine
school building" he said. "They |
ought now to see that the teachers |
get more than does the common day
laborer."
Some of the instructors at the high I
schools receive salaries Of $50