The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-19
CLOSING EXERCISES
AT RANDOLPH CTR.
Vermont State School of Agriculture
Graduated a Class of 20 Men Last
Week-Some Inspiring Ad-
dresses Given.

The fifth annual graduating exercises
OF the Vermont State School of Agricul.
ture were held in the Congregational
church at Randolph Center ON Thursday
evening, June H. The white church on
the hill had lost its Usual austerity un-
der the deft hands of the junior class
trimming committee, who had very pref
tily decorated with the school and class
colors together with red, white and blue
bunting and flags.
William Jackson Of the junior class
marshaled the faculty and ladies and
the senior class to their seats. The
whole audience then joined in singing
America" led by CarrolPs orchestra of
Barre, which furnished delightful music
throughout the program.
Principal G. l., Green then announced
that he had been requested by the local
Liberty loan bond committee to raise ii
possible 81 900, in order that the town
OF Randolph might make its subscrip-
tions an even 100000. The amount
asked for was quickly raised amid much
enthusiasm
Following the invocation by Rev.
George +. Goodliffe. Ruel T. Abbott,
president of the class of 1917, in apt
and well chosen words gave the address
of welcome.
A telegram was read from Governor
Horace +. Graham expressing regret
that he could not be present. Principal
Green called upon Rev Fraser Metzger,
who in his usual happy vein gave a few
inspiring words. He stated that he be-
lieved the changes which the recent leg
stature had made were for the best in
terests OF the agricultural schools and
that he foresaw a larger and greater de-
velopment under the board OF education
and the present commissioner of educa
tion, DIR. Milo B. Hillegas. Mr.. Metzger
admonished the graduating class that
they must make their lives count for
the school and this grand old common
wealth, for il is the boys that have more
to do than any other factor in making
the school
An excellent paper on Good Roads,
was presented by Luman c. Holcombe. |
The speaker said in part: "The greatest
asset any town or state can have is good
roads. The Romans noted how
easily in times of war men and supplies |
were taken from place to place over |
good roads. In 800 B. c. they planned |
the Appian way, which was over 300 |
miles long and when Rome was at the |
height OF her power she had 80 roads |
leading from the city. Some of these
old Roman roads have borne the traffic |
1000 years without material injury. In
time of war railroads may be destroyed |
much more easily than highways. In the /
a. 4
ali the world the vital Importance OF de-
pendabe highways which make possible |
the rapid movement OF troops and sup
plies. The confidence the French had in
their heritage OF good roads is best ex
snplifed by the fact that they built no
strategic railways in the Nerdun region
but depended entirely upon existing and
newly built roads, even though the labor
involved by the latter was accomplished
lnder a curtain OF fire. Good
'oads are blessing to everybody. To
he farmer they mean saving in time
md money, easy access by his children
% the country or village school and
essening of the isolation of the farm
hat blight of country life which IL big
actor in driving the boy or girl TO the
titles. Either for war or peace
We need good roads. They bind the ma
ion together. they tighten the burden
If transportation, reduce the cost of liv-
n.y. raise the value of farm lands, build
Up the church and school, Danish the
ISOLATION OF rural life and spread pros
'erity. intelligence and social advan-
ages throughout the length and breadth
# the land"
DR. HilIepaS