The Hazlehurst signal., 1885-11-05
op.nlur Of the state Female College.
COLUMBUS DrspArom:l

bracinp and Columbus from centre to
circumference was up betimcs and ON
| tho qni vivc, for the opening OF the
State Female College was one Of the
grandest events TINT ever occurred In
the history OF tho town. Every train
during the previous part'Of the week
had brought not only scholars who
proposed attending this institution
but under the influence OF tho half
rates generously made by oil the rail-
roads, q great many parents aud rela-
tivcs as well. As early rs last Tues
day was found necessary to begin
quartering the young ladies In the
spacious Dormitory Of the College
although no arrangements had been
made for their accommodation there
before yesterday. However the girls
very willingly put up with what slight
Inconvenience were Incidental to
their early arrival and their bright
smiles aud happy faces added new
attraction to the already beautiful
building and made President Jones
and his hsrdworkcd assistants feel
that life wasn't wholly devoid Of all
pleasures.
Large numbers Of ourcitizcns to say
nothing OF visitors, have been
"doing" tho College this week and
early and late the buildings have pre-
sented scene OF life and activity, but
this was not u circumstance to the
aspect OF affairs down there yesterday.
Girls OF all qualities, sizes and styles
had poured In and the spacious halls
and corridors OF the Dormitory re-
sounded with happy laughter and
echoed and re. echoed the tones Of their
winsomc, joyous voices. They frol-
licked all over the DOrinitOry from the
clock in the tower down to the engine
inl the basement and gave the old
building general shaking up. Their
pleasure and expressions OF delight
were amply seconded by the number
OF relatives who accompanied them
here and who were astOnishcd most
agrceably at the magnitude Of the Col
legc and the perfection to which every
thing had been brought. II will OF
course, take several weeks to get
things into smooth working order but
the faculty arc equal to the task and
will proceed with the work OF Organi-
cation without any loss Of time.
THE EXERCISES.
| Long before II o'clock Yesterday
the appointed hour-a vast crowd had
assembled ut the College grounds and
already filled the Chapel building to
overlooking. Every seat in the house
was occupied by ladies and girls and
numbers were forced to stand. The
arrival of Gov. Lowry under the escort
Of the Columbus Riflemcn and Light
Artillery Companies was the signal for
the exercises to begin.
After splendid ovcrturcby the Mo.
Fart band and nm opening prayer by
DR.. Dobbs, Senator 4. l.. Sykes, who
had been chosen to deliver the address
of welcome, was introduced by DR..
Jones. Capt. Sykes spoke OF the
marked interest every citizen of Col.
umbus felt in the welfare Of the Col
lcgc and its prosperity; paid n splcn-
did tribute to the noble women who
first originated tire idea and who wcr,
present To see the institution so sue
ccssfully inaugurated and extended
) cordial welcome to the high dignita-
ries of the State, TO the Board of Trll--
tees and to all other visitors who were
present, on behalf Of the citizens OF
Columbus. lie spoke fcclingly of wo-
mans mission and impressed upon his
hearers the necessity for her more lib.
cral education and wider field In
, which to display her talents. lie pre-
sentcd some very interesting statistics
showing the high position Mississippi
held in the rnattcrOf public education
as compared with other States and IN
closing paid II glowing tribute to the
Board of Trustees and the President
of the College for the faithful and cffi-
cicnt manner in which they had dis
charged their duties. After the cho-
rus sob, be Joyful" rendered in d
splendid manner by the choir, Scna-
, ton j. Nc c. Martin, Of Claiborne
county, was introduced and delivered
an interesting address of about &c
minutes duration. He reviewed at
some length, the history Of Public
Education from the earliest days Of
this country up to the present time,
|, and the relations Of the government
thereto; predicted that following tilt
precedent already established iii re.
, gard to other institutions Of learning
thGt the National government would
in the future, make donation for the
assistance Of the Mississippi Industrial
Institute and College. He dwelt up.
OH the vast benefits to be derived by
the girls Of the State from the College
and presented some interesting statis-
tics showing the number Of educatable
children In Mississippi and to wha,
extent illitcracy prevailed. He spoke
Of the almost insurmountablc difficult
| tta, tl,,A xl,o <,;,,Jo ~ tl,n (tnlIo,ro laI