River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-01-26
Inauguration of Pres. Adams.

X. Adams to the chair of Pre- sident of
the State University, which will be
read with interest by many of our
readers. Pres. Adams is we'll known
in the educational world as man of
sterling character, firm decision and
excellent disciplinary powers, and it
is hoped that under his supervision
the University may establish repu-
tation worthy of the State:
Tuesday was the day appointed for
the Inauguration and a large number
of alumni, friends and the Regents ar.
rived in the city during the twenty
four hours previous. At 2:30 o'clock
Library Hall was crowded to its ut
most. The hall was beautifully dec
Grated. Festoons of evergreens and
wreaths of holly, interspersed with
strings of small, triangular cardinal
flags were seen everywhere. At the
back of the platform a large flag was
gracefully draped. Over the middle
of the platform in front was sus-
pended the figure of an eagle decor
ated with cardinal bunting and be-
meath in evergreens the letters ~.
W." At the right was 1888" and at
the left 1880. Pots of large palms
adorned the stage.
The orchestra played selection
while the State officers, Faculty, Re.
gents and speakers took their places
on the platform.
President Bartlett of the Board of
Regents presided.
The exercises opened by an invoca.
ton by Rev. Fallows of the class of
80. This was followed by music by
the Glee Club and then an address ON
behalf of the Faculty by Prof. Frees
man. This was without doubt the
finest address given. Prof. Freeman s
faculty for saying the right thing in
the right place was never better
shown. After expressing the good
wishes and hearty cooperation of the
Faculty, he paid several tributes to
the learning aud educational work of
DIR. Adams and then spoke of his dis
tinguished predecessors from Pres.
Lathrop, whose Inauguration took
place exactly forty-three years ago
the day before, down to the present
time. He spoke of this as being in
some ways a remarkable event for
there were present 70 witness the GER
emonies members of the first class
ever held in the University, the first
graduate of the University, the first
Regent of the University, the men,
Der of the first Senate of this State
who drew up and introduced the bill
that became the Charter of this Uni
versity. and the two first white inhab-
itants of Madison. He spoke of the
changes that had taken place since
these two men came here in 1887.
He spoke of the different classes of
students and expressed his belief that
if this country ever saw another hour
of great need, foremost among its sup
porters would be those from the Uni
versity of Wisconsin.
A little incident was related in clos.
ing by Prof. Freeman, with such feel
ing as almost to bring tears to the
eyes of the audience. He said that
about twenty-seven years ago an awk-
ward young man presented himself at
the doors of one of our sister Univer-
stiles, seeking admission. During the
years since he had touched his books
the sound of the bugle in the Shenan-
doah had become more familiar to
him than words of wisdom. I'ato and
amo were hopelessly confused and he
could not tell whether the formula
given was for the parabola or para
chute. He listened to the examina-
tions of others until so discouraged he
felt the "higher education" was not
for him. At this turning point in his
life one of the professors stepped out
of his way in order to speak few
words of encouragement to the dis.
heartened young man. Turning to
Pres. Adams, Prof. Freeman said,
''You, DR.. Adams, have probably long
since forgotten this incident, but /
can never forget it. Cast thy bread
upon the wat IS; for thou shalt find
it after many days To-day, as you
look upon this throng of people where
SO many faces are strange to you, it
seems to me eminently fitting in this
crises in your life, that l should bid
you welcome as you once did me-"
Prof. Adams replied to what Prof.
Freeman said, with a few feeling
words.
Next was an exceedingly able ad.
dress by Ii. II. Jacobs of the class of
'93 on behalf of the students. Mr..
Jacobs paid fitting tribute to Prof.
progressive educational views
aud promised him the sympathy and
support of the stud ents.
He was followed on behalf of the
Alumni by James High of Chicago, a
graduate from the class of ga. As a
lawyer, Mr.. High dwelt with the legal
side of the University question. His
address, unlike the previous ones. was
read and failed to produce as favor
able on impression upon the audience.
Pres Angel of the University of
Michigan delivered the address on be.
half of the Sister Universities. He
the University of Wis
consin on its growth and prosperity,
but especially CT its securing as pres
dent such a man as DIR. Adams. He
spoke of the pride Ann Arbor felt in
being Pres. Adams Alma Mater.
Gov. Peck, on behalf of the Com
spoke of the growth pros
perity and output" of the University
and its having to compete with
smaller colleges with large endow-
ments. His speech was supposedly
witty, but most numerous of all was