to depend upon the
efforts of one man to raise money, could not be perfect, and many things
were not as well as they should be. Dr. Washington could sympathize with
us because he knew what it was. He had borne the burden in the heat of
the day. But I find that persons who have done nothing themselves, but
have lived as parasites most of their days, are much more critical than
Dr. Washington ever could be. Sometimes I am asked to what I attribute
Dr. Washington's success in life. My answer to this question has always
been the same: to his spirit and simplicity. He possessed in a very
large degree, the spirit and simplicity of the Master. He never struck
back. He always sought to do good to those who would do evil to him. He
was meek and lowly of heart, and I know that he has found rest for his
soul.

There are other trustees who have played a prominent part in the
development of the work here, among whom may be mentioned Mr. James H.
Post, Rev. Henry Wilder Foote, Prof. William Howell Reed and Mr. William
H. Baldwin, 3rd. The trustees are now taking a more active part in the
work than ever before. This is their bounden duty, because the school is
theirs, not mine.

Next to the Trustees, the officers and teachers have played a prominent
part in the work here. My classmate, Henry A. Barnes, has been treasurer
of the school for twenty-three years, which period of service is, in
itself, a tribute to his faithfulness. Mr. Barnes not only does the work
of treasurer, but is also Acting Principal during my absence from the
school, and under him the work of the school continues with little or no
interruption while I am away. What Mr. Barnes has been to the Financial
Department, Mr. R. A. Daly has been to our Industries. I consider Mr.
Daly the best Industrial man that we can have.

The Academic Department has been developed under the management of
Messrs. Whitehead and Handy, and it stands well in comparison with that
of other similar schools in the State.

I cannot overestimate the value of the conscientious work done by my
secretaries during all these years. Miss Rebecca Savage (now Mrs. R. V.
Cooke) served in this capacity for fourteen years and Miss O. H.
Williamson has served one way or another for five years. Much of the
office work and responsibility fall upon the secretaries and this
responsibility they have borne without complaint. Sometimes we have been
compelled to work night and day, but they have always been wil