The Portland daily press., 1883-07-12
BY TELEGRAPH.
MAINE.
BowDoIN COLLEGE.
Meeting of the Alumni Association.
MAINE.

BRUNSWICK, July 11.-To-day was alumni
day at Bowdoin Many distinguished alumni
were present. The Phi Beta Kappa met at
$50 and elected the following officers
President-Hon. Joseph w. Symonds.
Vice President--Rev. E. @. Cummings.
Secretary and Treasurer-Prof. Il. q. Robin
Library Committee-Prof. III. L. Chapman,
Prof. j. b. Sewall Hon. w. l.. Putnam, Rev.
f. N. Packard, Daniel I. Linsectt.
The following members of the junior class
were elected members:
Henry A. Bascom, Herbert E. Cole, John e.
Dinsmore, Howard l.. Goodwin, Edward II.
Holden, Edward A. Packard, William A. Per-
kins, Noah b. h Pettengil, Charles III.
Steben, George b. Swan and Mr.. George Colby
Purington of the class of 1878.
Last September committee Of the Phi
Beta Kappa society throughout the United
States met at Saratoga for the purpose of
forming now constitution, with the idea Of
advancing the literary character of the society.
Seven chapters at that time adopted the con-
stitution formed, and the Bowdoin chapter to-
day unanimously agreed to adopt it. This
constitution win so into effect as soon as
fourteen chapters adopt it.
Prof. Smiths Phi Beta Kappa Grafton.
Ats ocieek very large audience assembled
in Memorial Hall to listen to the Phi Beta
Kappa grafton delivered by Rev. Newman
Smyth, d. D., class '62. The subject OF the
grafton was "The Art OF Thinking" The fol
ling is an abstract:
The general condition of success in this as in
any art is that the workman should have Joy
in this work This ba fhA pDrflnn a
mere critic. The thinker must have broad and
generous sympathies with men. Selhshness
in culture is the shadow over our modern
literature, in which the singing birds are silent
and glad, noble thought into its last sleep in
passimisn. Unhappy mental moods peryode.
The mental habit of seeing the wrong side of
things 1t should be the aim of good education
to overcome. Joy in knowledge is essential to
the successful teacher
At the close of the exercises the several COM
mittees Of the alumni association met at
Cleveland lecture room for the purpose of dis
cussing the question in regard TO the election
of overseers by the alumni. The committees
we're in general unanimous in the opinion that
some chenge should be made, and committee
consisting of Melville w. Fuller, Esq, of Chi
cago, Daniel G. Linscott, Esq, of Boston
James McKeen, Esq. of New York, DR.
Frederick Henry Gerrish, Of Portland, Sohu
L. Crosby, Esq OF Bangor, and Oliver G. Stew
ems, Esq, OF Boston, was elected 10 present the
matter more fully to the association Of alumni
uring the year and at the next commencement
Resignation OF President Chamberlain.
At joint session of the trustees and over
seers President Chamberlain presented his re-
poit yesterday. In closing he rendered his res
ignatlon of the Office of president of the COL
lege. which he had held for the past twelve
years. General Chamberlain has labored hard
to advance the interests OF Bowdoin, and has
been successful. He gave no reason for his
decision when he rendered his resignation, but
it is understood that he will insist upon its ac-
ceptanse. For the past twenty years be has
been connected with the college as tutor pro-
fessor, trustee and president, and now he
wishes TO lay aside the cares and duties, which
have become somewhat irksome He wishes
iG 10 be understood that the condition of his
health does not influence him in this decision.
The surprise and suddenness attending the act
prevented the board from doing more than
simply referring the resignation to a special
committee which viii probably report to the
board in favor Of accepting. Al the same time
1t is hoped by the board that Gen. Cham
berlsin win retain the professorship of political
economy, and so continue his intimate rela.
tions with the college for several years to
come. 1t is remarkable fact that during
Gen. Chamberlain's service in the army and
while he occuuied the gubernatorial chair he
still kept up his connection with the college.
At every comm encement he would tender his
resignation, but the college authorities an
Dually extended his leave Of absence, and
never allowed the cor nection to be broken in
sickness and in health They have maintain
ed a claim upon him, and they are 10th now to
sever the bonds that have SO long united them
The board OF trustees and overseerp accepted
the resignation Of President Chamberlain this
forenoon, but voted to ask him to remain as
lecturer in political economy.
Hon. Peleg W. Chandler, Rev. John A.
Fiske, D. D., Rev. E. B. Webb, D. H., on the
part of the trustees, and Hon. w. L. Putnam,
Prof. j. B. Small Mr.. Stephen Allen and
Hon. j. w Symonds on the part of the over.
seers was appointed a committee TO nominate
a president.
The boards voted TO accept Fryeburg and
Washin gton academies as fitting schools,
George Thomas Little was elected college
professor in Latin and G. II. Atwood assistant
professor in Modern Languages.
Several classes held reunion at Tontine
Hotel to-night-class OF '73, '5S and '33
Cbandler's Band gave a concert
The college has S3O00o in invested funds.
In the junior prize defamation the first
prize was awarded to J. A. Waterman, Jr., OF
Gorham, and the second TO L. Barton of
Naples.