New-York tribune., 1879-06-02
COOPER UNION C0MNhNeEMENE
.NIVERSARY-

EXERCISES AT THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY
CONDITION AND WORK or THE INSTITUTION.
The twentieth anniversary commencement 0l
the Cooper Institute held Saturday evening IN th'
large hall of the Union, which was well hed win
friends of the graduates and Of the institution. On the
platform were the venerable founder, whose entrance
was greeted with applause, Abram 5. Hewitt. eN
Mayor Tremain, Wilson G. Hunt, Chancellor Benedict
the Rev Dr. Peters, Professors stone, Zachas. Morals
and Tsda and many and guests After prayer
by the ey Dr. Peters music by orchestra updeT
the direction OF T. l. Eben John staudt delivered an ora
tion " Political Apathy" He WAS followed, with
music intervening between the speeches. by Ernest D.
Kaltenback on Decoration Day." John Connolly on
" Practical Emancpators." Abraham Levy on " NUM-
cipal Government" and Otto Kempner Let us have
Peace" The Hon. Abram s. Hewitt then made an ad-
dress, based chiefly upon the trustees report. from
which he read few passages among them the follow
ing:
Cooper In 1857 at the cost OF S63O226, the trustees
have expended S7}3 900 In giving free instruction
to the public Tne past years expenses havs prem "a
building, and from the income OF special endowment
OF Sl50000 made by Mr. Cooper for The support aud in-
OF the free reading room and library Wth this
expenditure the trustees have maintained during eight
months OF the year. system OF day ana evening schools
in which 355 pupils have been taught the lhnents Oh
science and art The free reading room has been Kept
open every day from n m untl 10 p & No. win daily
Besides this. free lectures have been given IN natur
elocutOn by the respective professors OF these subjects;
each professor lecuriug two three times week. In
the smaller lecture OF the Institution In the large
ball OF the Cooper Unon every Saturday evening our
ing the entire Winter great audiences have been drawn
popular lectures scentlfic subjects All this
has been given without the least charge TO those who
parake of the instruction, or any or the priv
eges of the institution. IL is questionable whether
equal OF money could have been eX-
pended economically or usefuly IN the interests
Of education and the diffusion Of general knowledge Mr.
Hewitt spoke of the prosperous condition OF the Schools
The receipts last amounted 10 S1l 62s and the eX-
pendtures to i4 $685. the first time in the his Ory OF the
institution that had not been sefsusranng He said
that except for lack OF the entire building would
be devoted TO education, and expressed the hope that
the would be able to carry out their pan
The curatOrs report shows that the amount earned
by the pupils In the different departments OF tne NO-
mans Art School SO 800. The School OF Tclegraphy
admitted fhrty-fye pupils. Eighteen pupils re-
ceived certificates proficiency from the examiners
appointed by the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Last Winter the Accommodations OF the Tree reading
room were taxed 70 their utmost, the daily attendance
averaging 900 persons During the entire year, GA,
49l persons visited the reading room OF whom lOlO3
were women. The average attendance OF the cugraY-
ing class for twenty-five and the earnlu gs
the class amounted to 81 S2059 Admission 10 the
Free Night School of Science numbered l3ol OF these
ga remained until tine close OF the term and 336 were
awarded certificates TO the Free School or Art 1439
were admitted 1872 remained TO the close OF the year,
and 27s received certificates. Peter Cooper presented
the Cooper medal and diploma 10 John G. Elohmeyor,
Charles T. BOleSchka ana William Henry G. Isham, who
have completed the five years lie mad intended
Union bat winch had never been made public. lie was
wearicd however, TO do Professor Iisdal then
presented prizes for excellence IN the different depart
mcuts TO a number OF young men and women.