Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

Page 11 text:

THE GOLDEN-ROD. flayor Hodges, In response and transfer to School Committee, said : Mr. Commissioner—In closing my association with you, so far as this building is concerned, I desire to thank you for the uniform courtesy extended to me during its construction. I also wish to thank you on behalf of the taxpayers and all the citizens for the care, energy and patience displayed in seeing that their interests were well guarded. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the School Board—It is now my duty to transmit to you, who are its proper custodians, this building erected for educational purposes. To some of us who are familiar with the schoolhouses as they appeared scat- tered throughout New England fifty years ago, this elegantly equipped and well finished building may seem some- what extravagant. But if the results derived from it by our children and all others who are benefitted by it are as large in proportion as the cost, I think none of us will be dissatisfied, and from the well-known reputation of the Quincy school system, which extends beyond the limits of our city and is known and talked about outside the boundaries of New England, I feel as- sured that our highest hopes and ex- pectations will be realized. I now have the honor of presenting you the keys. we have been constantly in doubt. First when the location was in dispute, as to where it was to be, then when the plans were being debated, as to what it was to be, and during last summer when the date of completion seemed somewhat vague as to when it was to be. Happily now all our doubts are over. The building is finished and ready for occupancy and the Board for two or three years, at least, can cease from troubling about the High school. It only remains for us to make the best possible use of it and return to the taxpayers interest on the money in- emery l. crane, Chairman of School Committee. Chairman Crane of School Board, In acceptance of the building, spoke as follows: Mr. Mayor: The School Board glad- ly takes charge of this building which you have just turned over to them for the use of the schools. The erection of a building such as this has been de- sired by them for a long time, for as you well know the problem of provid- ing accommodations for the pupils of the High school during the last few years has been a most perplexing one. Siuce this building was first talked of vested, not of course in dollars and cents, but in the increased intelligence and the broad unsectarian patriotism of their children which should be the guiding spirit of all good citizens. Mr. Mayor, in behalf of the Board I wish to thank you for your courtesy to them in all matters connected with the erec- tion of this building. Mr. Tuoper: In placing you in charge of this building as Headmaster of the High school, the Board has the utmost confidence in your ability to make use of it in the best way. When we recall the results obtained by your

Page 10 text:

THE GOLDEN-ROD. that neither the long devotion of Mr. Keith, nor the restless energy and well directed activity of Mr. Lull, nor the originality of Mr. Horne, nor the en- thusiasm and high culture of our pres- ent incumbent, Mr. Tupper, could make up for the lack of those material accessories, without which every en- deavor may be rendered in a measure sterile. Words are utterly inadequate to ex- press the satisfaction which we feel in the contemplation of this vast, com- modious and beautiful edifice; forming so striking a contrast to the ill-arranged quarters heretofore occupied by our JOSEPH M. SHEAIIAN, M. D., Sub-committee of High School. pupils, and I hope that the old building will be retained to serve for all times as a monument, both of the patience of the teachers, and the perseverance of the scholars. We dedicate this building today to the cause of education, and to the still higher principle of equal rights of man- kind. We know that all are not cre- ated alike, but we contend that every one is entitled before the law to the full development of his mental re- sources, and to the full fruition of any intellectual culture which he may have given himself. In the words of the great Napoleon, “ Every career should be open to talents,” or as Abraham Lincoln expressed it later in more homely phrase, “ Every man has the right to be the equal of another, if he can.” Here no race, no creed, no color shall form a discrimination, but united in a sacred brotherhood all our children shall learn to respect and esteem each other as citizens of this great Com- monwealth and of this glorious repub- lic. And we dedicate this structure to the common Father of us all, believing as we do, that in no other wav can a more worthy appreciation of His love and providence be acquired then through the study of His works. “ For we doubt not, through the ages, one increasing purpose runs, And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.” And it is in that reverent spirit that we shall begin the exercises with a choral by the children, after which I will ask our kind friend, Rev. Daniel Munro Wilson, to invoke the divine blessing. flusic and Prayer. The school had but one brief rehear- sal in the morning, but such is the musical proficiency of High school pupils that the chorus was well ren- dered. Rev. D. M. Wilson’s prayer was ap- propriate to the occasion. Contractor Mellen was not present to announce the completion of the building. Commissioner Eaton, In delivering the building spoke as follows : Mayor Hodges, at the beginning of the year I was appointed Commissioner of Public Works by you, and with other duties, came the erection of this building. I have attended to my duty and the building is finished, and as commissioner; it is my duty to present you with the keys of the building.

Page 12 text:

THE GOLDEN-ROD. assistants and yourself last year, handi- capped as you were b}' ill health and totally unsuitable surroundings, we con- fidently expect that this year, with an increased corps of teachers and the modern appliances of this magnificent building, the results will far surpass those of last year. The Board con- gratulates both teachers and pupils on their agreeable change of quarters and bids them go forward, working together for the good of all, and place the Quincy High school where it rightly belongs in the front ranks of the High schools of Massachusetts- Principal Tupper, Upon receipt of the keys, said : Mr. Chairman,—It is with feelings of gratitude, admiration and responsi- bility that I receive these keys. Grati- tude for the liberal and sympathetic manner in which the Mayor, the Coun- cil, the School Committee, and the Superintendent, recognized and met the very evident needs of our High school ; admiration for the singularly able and public spirited fidelity of the School Committee and the Superinten- dent ; responsibility, in view of the large and ever increasing number of pupils entrusted to our care. Superintendent Lull Was introduced in a flattering manner, and endeavored to outline in five min- utes the intellectual side of the new' education. He referred to the modern treatment of the three It’s by the com- petent teacher. The three It’s must still be foundation studies, but a foun- dation on which at once, even in the primary schools, a broader structuie must be raised. He sp ke of the change in the teaching of geography and history by which a host of dry de- tails, unrelated facts, dates and bat- tles had been swept away and in their place man and his environment, his failures and his successes, and the les- sons to be learned were accented. Mr. Lull claimed that the common branches were now treated by their capable teacher in a more rational and practical way,that the pupil’s attention was received because he was interested, that he memorized less and thought more, and, finally, that time was saved for enrichment. This enrichment in- cluded a greater development of Eng- lish, music, drawing, nature work and manual training. The speaker referred to these very briefly and closed by reminding his audience that his remarks were hardly more than topics that merely hinted at the unusual interest now being shown in the broad domain of education. FREDEPTC ALLISON TUPPEP. Principal High School. However far we may fall short of our ideal the citizens of Quincy may rest assured that it will ever be our aim to make the High school the key-stone of Quincy’s educational arch ; sup- ported, yet supporting, adorned, yet adorning, united, yet uniting, binding, unifying, harmonizing, and complet- ing the entire system of Quincy’s pub- lic schools.