The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-01-25
FIRST SEMl-ANNUAl 20 M
MENCEMENT EXERCISES
HELD IN AUDITORIUM
LAST EVENING.
Pupils Orchestra Furnished Musical
Program for One' Of Most Sue
cessful Similar Affairs
in Years.


their studies at Wheeling high
school were given their diplomas last
night at the first senli-annual com
mencement exercises held IN the
high school auditorium. The com.
mencement was the twenty-flrst 10 be
held at the school. The commence
ment exercises were previously held
only once a year, in June.
The principal address was deliv'
cred by DR.. Aston Ellis, president Of
Ohio university, oae Of the ablest and
foremost educators of the country
DR.. Ellis used for his subject "Eiaca-
ton and Its Value" and dwelt upon
its value and necessity especially at
this momentous hour He told or the
meaning OF edeucation and its rela-
tive value to the youth Of the coun'
try who are to enter the worlds try
ing ordeals.
Dr.. Ellis spoke of the educational
system Of the United States. compar-
Ing it In the war of carefully prepared
statistics as it is IN other countries.
He dwelt at length upon topics that
Grafton, and 1t was proved beyond a
doubt as to the unlimited value Of
education to our people as means
Of betterment in life. Among other
points Of interest he mentioned that
We Americans should not feel as
though We are ready to meet LIES
worst experiences, bust must be pre-
AAt
present AS compared with Ger
many he said that one out of every
thirteen persons in the United
States was illiterate and Germany
had one out OF Ave hundred.
In his address to the graduates
class he congratulated them on the
success they have attained and be-
slowed upon them many wishes, most
OF all to enter college and receive a
higher training.
He said: "Youngmen and women,
I have but three wishes to bestow
upon you. They are, first, that all
might become wealthy; second, that
each one may enjoy perfect health.
and last, but not least, that all Of you
may be prepared to meet LIES trials
and troubles. I do not mean wealth
by Inheritance. but earnestly hope
that all will be able 10 work to Sc
cure this happiness. The three char
acteristlcs OF work, my dear friends,
are honesty. usefulness and happl-
ness, and with these safely under
control your success Is inevitable"
DR.. Ellis eloquent discourse was re-
ceiyed in a most Unusual manner, as
twas upon a theme Of real statistics
and facts which showed they were
carefully prepared even though he
spoke eXtemporaneously. He kept
the audiences attention during his
lengthy address and which was ire.
Quently intermingled with witty e1.
pressions, and he quoted brief ex.
tracts from Americas greatest au.
thors. The audience was highly en-
tertained during his entire address
and was delighted in the able manner
in which it was delivered.
President Rogers Of the board Of
education previous to the presenta-
ton Of the diplomas thanked the grad
yates on behalf Of the board Of which
he was a representative for the honor
they acquired in receiving the nigh
est reward they had to offer.
The high school orchestra, under
the direction Of Miss Lucy Robinson,
delivered the musical numbers Of the
program. Rev. C. E. Severinghaus
pastor Of the First German Nj. Fl.
church, offered the invocation and
pronounced the benediction. DR.. Ellis
was introduced by Dr.. C. E. Citizens,
superintendent OF schools.
Miss Bsrte's Grafton.
Miss Rhea Louis JaEe Rnrte. class or
ator for the girls. took for her subject
Education IN Relation to War"
She spoke as follows:
From time immemero!al national
IDEAS and purposes found expression In
education. My these IL not what cducx-
ton can do for war. but what war will
do for education. Tho prohleIns which
will face US In the future arc SO great
and important that the greatest need
of the nation at this time Is education.
We can not ptfcrd to let the school do
less in war tiine than previously. 10" t
must give use the trained minds and
skilled workers watch will DC needed to
cope with tho probl EMS Of rcconstruc-
ton and insure the nutloa against dc
cline in the critical period after tho
war. Our teaching Of natio!ism in the
past has not been definite. but must DO
20 in tho future President Wilson has
asked the United Sta;ea Commission OF
Education 10 preparu lessons TINT can
be used In the schoo's thrau gnuut the
country. 10 help the boys and girls to
understand the problems and questions
that must be solved au,l answered. So
that our country may he made better
democracy and be able 10 help the cit
liens Of the other countries. Consequent
~. the school Is the great ius'i;l. lion
that must solve the problems Of nation
ism.
II Is true that the temporary disturb
ances due to tho war nave interrupted
educational work everywhere. but in
England this interruption has brought
education almost to state Of ruin In
the past three years. Tn order that we
may profit by the mistakes OF England,
let us summarize who has been done
there that we may avoid repillon Of
these faults and thus come to. tho sane
end.
Men teachers arc n tho trenches or
IN. governmental offices. Rooms in
schools aro overcrowdcd and IL" male
teachers are men beyond he a%n ~
high efficiency. Even the great schools
Of Elton. Rugby and Harrow have felt
mo touch Of war. Oxford and Cambridge
havn about nne-tcnth nf The students
they Ind when the war be Srn. n"nncra-
is In government. England s not demo-
cratic in her education. In spite Of all
the vision OF her scrrs. she mas ncvrr
realized for the average man tao same
physical pad rlnntnl training tha: cur
country has. In her schools she has had
no compulsory laws for support rr a.
tendance. In some Instances she a,er
closed schools and turned them into hos
pitfalls. In order To cnunleract th" results
OF these disastrous mistakes, England