Throughout the first decade of the 20th century, St. Aloysius College (also referred to as "St. Aloysius Academy" and "St. Aloysius Commercial Institute") continued to be mentioned in the Times-Picayune and Item for the start of school, important visitors, and graduation exercises.
Brother Osmond, S.C., third provincial of the U.S. Province
Brother Isidore, S.C., fourth U.S. Provincial
|
Graduates from 1900-1909 totaled 64, with a high of ten in 1908 and a low of four in 1903 and 1904.
- The commencement exercises were held in the Tulane Theater and involved the entire high school student body.
- The evening invariably included one or more plays performed by the members of the senior class with some underclassmen.
- Awards were presented in all the subject areas but primarily in the "commercial" courses, shorthand, and penmanship along with French.
- The graduate with the most illustrious future proved to be future U.S. Senator Allen J. Ellender ('09).
- The seven-member class of 1909 also included Anthony Fatjo, who became an O.M.I. brother.
Two important visitors merited newspaper articles during the decade.
- February, 1902, saw the visit of the Superior General of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Brother Paulus. He was accompanied by Brother Osmond, Provincial of the United States Province.
- Unfortunately, "hostile legislation against the religious orders in France demanding his presence in Paris" cut short the Reverend Brother's visit.
- Walter O'Connor ('03) welcomed the distinguished visitor with a brief address in which "he briefly referred to the religious war now raging in France."
- In his remarks, Brother Paulus praised the United States for its tradition of religious liberty and took note of the fact that St. Aloysius College enjoyed the largest attendance in its history.
- The "hostile legislation" in France suppressed religious communities in that nation and allowed the government to confiscate their property. Numerous French brothers would migrate and become members of the U.S. Province. Brother Paulus would not be in that number and, in fact, left the community.
- A March 11, 1908, article noted the visit of Brother Isidore, Brother Osmond's successor as Provincial. He inspected the different classes, "spreading sunshine and cheerfulness throughout the institution, which he found in splendid running order." He congratulated the students on their spirit and work ethic and "ended by giving what the boys most anxiously awaited - a holiday or, rather, 'half a day,' the chief reasons for which being the record-breaking attendance at the College, the 300 mark reached, passed and still marching rapidly onward."
|
The Picayune published this note in its September 9, 1905, edition.
St. Aloysius College, Esplanade and Rampart Avenues, began yesterday its fortieth annual session. While the opening attendance showed a marked decrease over that of last year, yet as many as 137 pupils answered the roll call. Considering the health condition of the city, together with the absence of so many families, the Brothers in charge of the College look upon the opening as very brilliant, and are sure that the session of 1905- 06 will be a record-breaking one. During the previous session 243 boys were enrolled.
The "health condition" referred to was the final yellow fever epidemic in the U.S. that broke out in the summer of 1905.
- Though the danger of mosquitoes transmitting the disease had been established in 1900, the city was still unprepared five years later.
- With the assistance of the surgeon general of the U.S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service dispatched to the Crescent City by President Theodore Roosevelt, a vigorous campaign of fumigation kept the number of victims to several hundred as opposed to the thousands who had died during an outbreak 30 years earlier.
- The city returned to normal by October. However, enrollment at St. Aloysius peaked at only 99 according to Brother Macarius in his A Century of Service for the Sacred Heart in the United States (1946).
- Part of the problem was the poor health of Brother Cyprian during his three years as president. His replacement, Brother Alphonse, took over at the end of October 1905 and restored the school to prosperity.
The St. Aloysius Alumni Association began with an organizational meeting in August, 1906 in the "Assembly Hall" of the College.
- Gus Llambais ('97), "the well known young attorney," was elected president.
- The other officers were Dr. Anthony Montz ('97), Vice President, George Daste ('97) secretary, and Paul Duvic ('00) treasurer.
- Brother Alphonse, President of the College, was named Honorary President.
Top of Page
|
