New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-15

Among the prominent persons present AZ tho Com-
meucement exercises were the Hon. Joseph d. Bedle,
Governor Of NewJersey, President Henry Norton Pro-
fssors Wall, Thurston. Van der weyde, and others
Gov. Bcdle presided. Music was furnished BY tho
Seventh Regiment Band The proceedings OF the even
ing were begun with prayer by the Rev. 8. b. bod
President Henry Morton then deliver red his Introductory
sddress
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT NORTON
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN We assembled this even
ing TO celebrate for the first time TIE entrance into
fcssonal life from this institution OF class OF youns
men trained in the full curriculum therein provided
Ia necessary say that the education which this era
In the worlds history prominently demands Is train
ing in natural science and in those arts which con-
tribute vastly to the comfort and support Of human
life, and thus TO the progress and development OF the
race, physically. mentally, morally Undoubtedly educs-
ton in the nineteenth century should be an education
in science and the arts Ttis .nl,.ct ho%sNer' nougn
aud 50 varied, that its cultivation mis w divided DC
tween many %ossr ana n, %nS w of the ec"ns
Education must In consequence suffer IKE DIVISION anu
great department In view OF inis ai Oh many o,her con
alterations which our limits ~ time prohi me even 70
this institution decided upon to limit 1t Ia single
branch, and in view Of the vast Importance OF the sun
ect the united facilities already existing for rs educa
Iiona cultivation. and the lively ncms, IN this direc-
ton manifested by our founder to make TINS schooi one
OF mechanical engineering.
1t Is the mechanical engineer. the man who designs
and builds the locomotive or stationary engine, me
printing press, the loom the mill, the steamship
and me nonsa nd n,schnes by witch countless
other things are fabricated whose preparation for his
c-work u is here designed 10 assist. At this point,
however. it will perhaps be said by some one, But you
must be learned by practice SHOP" In reply to
this by no means unrcasohaho sng.e,u"", mo
that there is Q vast amount OF kn9%h
edge necessary to tho expefisnccd mechanical a
practice OF his profession teach him. 40 Is II with
The ysican and the lawyer Bar while this Is nndouo
ELY true, IL equally certain that there Is Vast
amount OF knowledge quite ~ necessary to the expert
snrd engineer E' @ nci' s" % ea ,s ows
sources he gradually, and with difficulty acquire, from
pcricnce others and wnicn might be tausht h with
vast advantage in school eSircialy where ~ Ia ne
hy much actual practice in the workshop n hs Tune
will admit To say that mechanical engineer can oniy
learn experience IT, moreover. III the present afrInSo
h a. a" that he snail nor IT, Urn II nj AL so little
opportunity Tor varied and extended expnrnnc Is
therc furnished to any one employed IN snch est'Dsi-
me great body Of classified knowledge and general
lied experience which CONSTITUTES the scieRcc or ncnnni-
cal Engineering without d"unt he tamgnt with great
advantage in wcilorgan,zcd schoo wniir il is oniy BY
enormous effort that even sina Itf az such knowledge
shop; aud besides, the student Away find lis way
into shop, and II he has been an honest student aud
has therefore trained his power oi obrory anon ana e
ccton he will acquire with readiness the indispcnsa-
be kno"ie'ge oIy 20 y" ayoi Min every care Inc
fatal undercstnag or neglrcrnE 'he practical
part Of engineers training Iha il an absolute es-
sential COURSE and must never be ln't sght or -,
What in our chosen Held OF education WIN
be- time only can prove. The future reputation OF tDls
institution indeed rests very largely Ou the Efforts 81 thls
,a-s :" ines, wo. into t stormy tmo.p6ere Of
the world and am happy Ia say that We VINO nave SO
great interest In their slcces' nave s.o most vey
Confidence in the same and ieri that well leave TO
them practical ynication OF tine derision by which
Institute of Technology has been established
as "A School OF Mechanical Engineering
Adoph Serge read au abstract OF thesis written ~
him. entitled On design for 30 ton floating DERRICK"
in which showed what II requisite for the construction
OF derrick Of sufficient power to lift and place IN posi-
thu Al hnil al. Ms
lanes T.. Denton read abstract Of thesis gu the
theory Of the traction OF locomotive engines and J
Hector Fezande followed wit0 IN abstract on the heat
ing AID ventilation Of the PostOce building in this
city, The PostOhce building contains 6,OO"OOO cubic
feet Of space and in order that the air shall be entirely
renewed once in hour IA necessary IN its ventia
ton TO have the means at hand Tor supplying 100000
cubic feet Of air per minute.
Prof Richard H. ThurstOn then delivered the address
TO the graduating class, giving them much useful part
ing advice ~ to their conduct in and out Of their pro-
fessOn.
ADDRESS OF PROF. 1HURsTON.
MEMBERS or THE GRADUATING CLASS; Make the most
your The greatest skill is exhibited by the
engineer frequently doing inexpensive work In some
cases the production Of elaborate designs and graceful
FORMS the the best Of materials. and tho employ
nent Of fine workmanship and beautiful finish are not
only allowable but incumbent upon yOu and such con
strlcton Is a, once economical and credtable.
In other instances the highest art ia shown In accom-
pli-hing object at the least expense compatible
Win se Even md rnir anco OF Ornament and Of
finish evidences at tim"s OF the ability of the
engineer accommodate hmsclt 10 circumstances and
to accomplish large results with small means Tho
character Of your Eu in this respect will he determined
by the nature OF the problem itclf, the means 1T hand
and the value Of capital. Where capital IS plentiful
aud cheap, and where good material Is pientG, ana
ia important work. anything but the best design That YOU
able to produce. using the best material and demand
ing the best workmanship Where capital II difficult to
Obtain. labor expensive and the work temporary tue
rea good enginscr VII psiHe G"1 rd n onposts
in Great Britain, where capital Is worth four
or five Shilling per day as we build them Western
and southern states, Where money brings !" per cent ana
unwse But II It. s,ipIlai II that all new railroads
tned states should bc given easy grades curves
iron bridges ana cut Sion" rs'"niy, ana iurnis'n W,,
permanent structures q ,one ana prr , ana sith an
should have few road. aud our country would long
machine designed for temporary use only should be
made at the least possible cost ri which II VIII serve It's
purpose. machine which ia expected to work well I'M
iii worn ont and then to be replaced by another should
be- made Of the hest materials amt IN the best possible
manner. Where II Is anticipated thu the machine viii
hc superseded by improved apparatus, however beioret
can BE- expected 20 become ue : by wear II Is waste
rardlcss of expense IL is for this reason tha TIE light,
cheap, hut equally efficient machinery bait by our
mechanics for some branch OF textile manufactures Is
better than the heavier and more expensive m'.ehiery
supplied from abroad Impr.yements folio" each
necessary sometimes to thro%, ont tho %ellbul,
machinery before II Is NAH worn ON, anu
this difference Of first cost Is thus simply
so much capital thrown away. irre ~ In many other
cases. % good Judgment, strong practical common
sense guided by experience, ana enlightened by ao-
quirod knowledge Is your only reliance Let me here
remind you had policy ot the wrong Of which you
would DO guilty, were you IN any case to permit
the interests or the wishes OF client to
induce YOU Ia adopt q plan which your judgment. your
knowledge, and your experience corucinn-. On the
other hand, permit your own interests 10 dictate
coure obviously opposed the best Interests OF your
client, Of winch you know Tho results viii fall to meet
his expectations every Particular.
n fayy He said