University High School - Bisbila Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Class of UH2 (ilummrutrnu'ut txrrcisrs June 1st, the year 1912. marked the initiation of something new and novel in the way of commencement exercises. This new system, doing away with the deadly routine of essay after essay, was inaugurated at the University High School graduating exercises, held at the University Chapel. It seems that the tire, the out-of-the-ord inary ness, that characterized these exercises spread over the whole state of Minnesota, yes, and even hevond the boundaries; for from a high school principal in Ohio came a letter saying he had heard of our program, and asking for the use of the manuscript, as he would like to give something on the same order. The Program. Music—Selection for the piano - -- -- -- - Harold Tower Prayer.........................................President Emeritus Cyrus Korthrup Music—Songs - -- -- -- -- -- Edmund Knudson Girl's Chorus—“Rosebuds”................................- Girls Chorus Essay—“Crete, the Center of Prehistoric Agean Civilization” - Francis Cobh Music—Songs - -- -- -- -- - Edmund M. Knudson Class Conversation—“The Burdens of Citizenship” Boys’ Chorus—“Love’s Old Sweet Song” “Men of Harlech” Emerald and Gold (Class Song) Piesentation of Diplomas.......................................Dean George I7. James School Chorus 'Fhe class conversation, “The Burdens of Citizenship. was the nucleus of the program. Many were the hairs that turned gray when Watson didn’t make his appearance until the program was half over. The whys and wherefores of his tardy entrance have never been learned. The class conversation represented the various members of the class, sitting in an informal group and discussing various and weighty problems of the day. Everything and everybody seemed perfectly at case, in contrast with the stiffness and strained feeling usually present on such occasions. Probably an extract from the conversation would not he amiss. Mr. Bren: What was the subject of your graduating essay, Mr. Leighton? Mr. Leighton: “International Peace.” Bren: What were your points? Leighton: I considered it first from a literary standpoint; second, from an educational, and third from an historical standpoint. Bren : Do you have it in your pocket ? Leighton: Yes, always. Bren: Read a few passages from it. Mr. Proctor: But why? Why should you ask this of Mr. Leighton more than of the rest ? Bren: Because Mr. Leighton is too modest to speak unless invited. I believe your essay was never finished, was it. Mr. Proctor? Proctor: Not quite. The class encourages Leighton to read essay. Leighton reads extract from his essay, International Peace. Bren: 1 see Mr. Clancy disagrees. Clancy: Oh, I agree all right, but I do not think international peace can possibly come about until its way has been paved by another world-wide reform. Bren : What is that ? Clancy: Pure food. As long as nations are underfed or fed on adulterated products they will fight. Hungry people arc always quarrelsome. Dyspeptics are always ill-tempered.

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It $ % % J « V w A ▼ f j Horry Watson Leighton Ellertson Gobi) Proctor C’onhaim Sill (iuttry P»ren Clancy (Class of 1912 Myron Conhaim. who galloped to the front ranks of Latin scholarship on a “pony”; Harold Sill, champion runner of the state of Minnesota; Ernest Watson, surnamed “Hoc.” some humorist; the scientific Carl Ellertson; the philosophic Arthur Horry, half Hamlet, half jester; the dignified Francis Cobb, our class president; Mike (iuttry, an emotional debater; P.ozetech l»ren, who put Hopkins on the map; Emmett Leighton, a whimsical humorist; John Clancy and John Proctor, both Mark Twain?. Taken as a whole, it was some class, and never earth shall see such another. In scholarship this brave phalanx carried everything before it. but it could with ease ascend to the level of ordinary mortals, and even went so far as to make raids on the egg supply of the neighboring grocer. One word more: 1 might add for tiic benefit of future classes that we owe our abnormal mental development to the enormous supply of “bismarks” which we consumed in the recesses of our last year. Think of a class without a single “sweet girl graduate.” N et that class was the famous class of 12. the first to be graduated from, the t’niversity High School. W e had a member for every year in our class number, but not one girl. There can be but one I limalava. and there can be but one class of 12. Here is a list of the mighty members: Du Dint l cmrmlirr 1Hlicit P»ren didn’t say “The book sa-ys—”? Clancy wasn’t “fussing” Hamilton? Conhaim was slim ? Cobb turned Prof? Horry didn’t quote Aristotle? Ellertson met Dedolph? (iuttry took a bath ? l.eifThton knew the meaning of Osmosis? Proctor was agreeable? Sill wasn’t engaged ? Watson studied the “Normans”?

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A general movement throughout Christendom for a purified diet would bring about the millenium. Leighton: But Wiley tried and failed. Clancy: Wiley did not fail and if he did, he must try again arid again and never mind failure, if he is doing his duty. Mr. Cobb: They will arrive. W hat time, what road they know not. But some time, in God's good time they shall arrive. In Mis good time. Dorrv: Gentlemen, you are too conservative. The only solution for this problem is socialism. Mr. Proctor: What is socialism? Dorrv: Gentlemen, socialism is a political doctrine, taking for its axiom the assertion that the people should own and control the great utilities. We think nothing of attending a public school or sending a letter by the government postal service. Then why should we scoff at the idea of the people owning the mud puddle the child slips in on his way to school or the railroad by which our mail is carried? Civilization is continually being retarded by the captains of industry who have obtained possession of the public tools of utility, production and communication. Darwin says, “Man is a tool-using animal: take away the tools on which he is dependent for his existence and he is powerless.” Socialism revolves as on a pivot about the idea of public ownership. Socialists differ among themselves on all other subjects, but if you believe in this one thing you are a socialist. In regard to the machinery of government: I believe in the initiative and referendum, in the recall of public officials, in the abolition of the American house of lords—that senate that is continually standing in the way of public progress, and I believe—well. I believe in every other radical thing that has ever been proposed for the promotion of democracy and the amelioration of the lot of the common people. Leighton: At present we can only vote for parties, but it is principles we care for. sincerely hope shall have an opportunity to cast my vote for international peace before I die. Guttrv: Longer game season. .s Conhaim: Shorter game season. KUertson : Direct presidential election. Watson : Wiping out tuberculosis. Sill: Prohibition. Bren: Tariff revision downward. Dorrv: Tariff revision upward. Cobb: Vocational education. Mr. Guttrv talked hard and fast on the subject of “Forestry.” Mr. Dorrv expounded on “Socialism, and although he was somewhat radical, one could not help but admire his sincerity, his forcefulness and his juggling of the English language. Mr. Conhaim shared the goal of an invention with Senator Cummings of Iowa. Mr. Sill pointed out the effects (good and bad) of King Alcohol. Mr. Cobb was lost in prehistoric ruins. Mr. Clancy argued for pure food laws. He was probably suffering from indigestion. Mr. Proctor elucidated on the Mormon church, whether “pro” or “con” no one could tell. Mr. Leighton was imbued with the idea of international peace—probably because his mother “didn't raise her hoy to be a soldier.” Mr. Bren spoke on the immigration laws, thinking all the time how lucky he was to have gotten in. Mr. F.llertson insinuated that lie was in favor of prohibition. (His parents were in the audience.) Mr. Watson spoke of the high cost of twing. or was it loving? Probably that had something to do with his late arrival.