The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-10

Perfect DecOrum at the Open
ing of the School.
SPEECH BY REGENT CONOvER.
He Condemns the Rowdy Attack on Re-
gent smith. and Deplores Harsh
Criticism Of the Institution.

tendance. President Conover was here and
made the following address:
L: 10 a pleasure to me 10 be present upon this
occasion and to have the opportunity to con-
graduate you and the people of washington
upon the opening OF another term OF tne agsl-
cultural college. / seriously doubt Whesher Inc
citizens and the tax payers of this state. unless
it De those who reside in this immediate vicin-
ity, have an adequate conception OF what tn.s
institution mas already aecomRl,shed ana I hsan
done is partially apparent Al we look about Us,
but what may be done through generous legis.
lative action and careful and conservative yet
progressive management, is q matter OF pleasant
speculation with the regents, the menoers OF
the faculty and with you who have sought ana
expect tn realize the benefits of this school fu-
ture success will sdepend largely upon your
Sc yes. We are only upon the threshold OF our
career as q college. and the people :,
ripening OF the first fruits. If it shall be shown
that the courses of instruction provided in the
curriculum accomplish in a reasonable meas.
ure the aims OF the founders OF this college: If
the frs. students who permanently leave THESE
halls prove themselves better fitted because
ing avocations. if the young men and women,
many of you highly capable. viii exert them
selves IN the Development OF your pest iacu,.ies
and with u determination to bring into healthy
growth your moral and Intellectual force. ana
the young men who undertake to till the SOIL
can make two blades of grass grow where but
one grew before, then will the Washington
state Agricultural college be pronounced a sue
cess. and succeeding legislatures will be willing
such an extent that here may be built
one OF the greatest seats OF practical
learning in the country. 1t becomes you,
therefore. Young ladies and Gentlemen: II 10
your grave and solemn duty, to cooperate with
the regents and the faculty in this great WORK,
and you can best fulfil the obligations ana re-
sponsibiiisles resting upon you by seeking to
avail yourselves to the utmost of the provisions
made for physical and mental culture. by nom
able OF taking high positions as citizens
OF the commonwealth. and reflect credit upon
your alma mater. You are not alone IN your
responsibilities The regents, the faculty
and the students should all work together III
harmony and with confidence ia each other.
By law the regents are made the governing
body OF the institution, and so long as they act
within the scope of their authority their Will
must be complied with 10th by teachers ana
those taught.
l cannot foresee what action may be taken by
the representatives of the people who meet to-
day in Olympia in reference to the affairs and
the management of this institution. 1t may be
that the method of government will be entirely
remo,ieled, or the present law may be al
lowed to stand. Ii the prevailing system
regents will change from time to time, and
when differences as to what may be best for the
welfare OF the institution may arise among the
individuals it is safe to predict that the major
iy will be In the right, and whatever shall De
done by the board as a whole will be in your in
teress and in the interest Of the people OF the
state.
In speaking OF the relationship existing be-
tween the regents and the college / have in
lhiuu the uNkeueEOuS CritlCisUlb maIo uuIiuS
the last few months by the public press in refer
ence to the conduct of this institution. While
|, as an official occupying a position OF public
trust. expect honest criticism for my
public acts of omission or commits
sion, I cannot help but regard much
that has been promulgated th.CHshout
any fair discussion of the actions OF the board,
but the entire board should not be made to bear
acts of the individual members We. IS men,
are no. infallible. Individual regents will be
apt to make some mistakes of Judgment
as long ~ this institution shall stand.
For my owD mistakes of Judgment sr for
my own misconduct l am ready to stand
res ponsible, but the entire board should not be
attacked or the good name OF this school be
sTnirched for my shortcomings. If during the
year gone by any one of the regents has so borne
upon this college. let the public csnsors refrain
from covert innuendo. but fearlessly and in tho
course Of right place the responsini.lsy where
this school may be cleansed aud purified and
the school Itself be raised to a higher standard.
1t il but natural that during the last year the
board of regents should Ia We attracted the at.
tention OF the people of the state.
We have had arduous labors to perform,
have been wonderful had we progressed so far
without a single misstep. We have had not
only to govern a college, but build one. We
have had to begin from the beginning, and we
have but now at the opening of this
term arrived at a point where We Can
the work outlined for It. 1, may be that the
present regents will step aside and leave others
TO carry on the institution they have estab-
rneled by such hostile criticism. They will find
the paths easier and they may act in all conf
dence that this institution Is mistaken in its
permanency and that whatever they may
do will be done for a college that
will be a source OF pride to the
state for generations to come. When we CON
template the future of this college we can real
Ice the responsibilities of the regents. They are
building no. alone for the present, they are
.uaEEtDnv shue fhn ffa rs ShA I r,-Ls 49,,
and even with the life of the state. Every re-
gent has realized. and will, | believe. appreciate
what 10 incum bent upon him because OF this.
and the members OF the governing body are en-
titled to your consideration and respect and
sym pa:hy and cooperation.
1t Is ~ painful matter for me to recall the
events that characterized the close of the last
term. events that did much to in jure the insti-
tuition in the eyes OF the public. some of you
oi you were. | choose to put the most Charitable
view possible upon your actions, aud
20 say that you forgot the respect due to enc OF
the member of the body entrusted with your
government. You forgot that you were students
OF an institution supported b. the state and in
duty hou0d to commit no act Of dis-
obedience or INSTRUMENTATION. You dealt a blow
to the fair fssle ofthe ~eallese; You weakened the
re@eats, the faculty. yourselves and this whole
institution with the legislature from which you
nave 50 MNcA inasA ~ order that the great work
may lie carried on. Your outbreak agHiust good
order and discipline was all insult to the state.
anI X viii re II long time before the state can
forget the treason OF your conduct You are
but tae wards of the people. and Won are ex-
pcCtei To obsarve every rule OF discipline that
may be enacted either by the faculty or the re-
gents THIS obedience 10 your superiors mast
be cheerful and spontaneous. and II you cannot
faculty must demand that you seek
your education elsewhere. Ii tho affairs of
ai.Cord ana lack o. harmony among those CON
nectei with L the people of the state will de-
maud That the college re closed aud the Iesisla-
ture will give heed 10 the wishes OF the com
kktAtfS. TX MAS nv IEFHvrHt mr. yiteca
10 differ from some 81 The Other re-.
gents n the matter which led up 20
president OF t"fs college. But it Is not your
province 70 inquire whether any action Of the
BOARD ct regents has osea concuTTe! IN by
all q is members. Il Is suffeient for
Eon 20 know THAI "a majority OF the
aoaTd governs and you must ohsy the
VIZ. Of the majority. II yoG have grievances.
i you are Dissatisfied with ANY action o. the
h"aT1, il i your privilege IL present your claims
~ a proper manner. The right o. petition is
~c74fic1~" aud condemn you have not. The
siate ofe~- yoa he benefits of d broad aad ID
e-Hs education, and these benefits you may
tta}H, >It sou cannot secure them hy any pro
cess u! mob law. Comp siuIs TO the public
pTcSs furnish you no relief. IT you are not
accorded the Treatment Won believe Won are
eutt.ei 10 aud IL your petitions TO the regents
tor the Et-ht1ng IT supposed az real wrongs aro
EJt received with favor. you nave still tue gov
al E@4 nag d sssuFed Jnat no board,
however constituted. viii ever he able 10 govern
E"1 Il aar4nse oasb3e rules. Your last t.rm,
E%AiY successful naal tie close. ended IN dis
gTa"e io0 are now putting the col eye 70
ae" tf.at II 9 large degree, and tbs members of
tae l4@@lty VII bc held responsible for tbs sue
eess 81 t1e Institution for the coming ceru.
II tGe Yea! gone by yol formed warm attach
h4e4ts fF those who led your Instruction..
Nv E"3 are 70 - associated with some who
nave >%r4 strangers - you Greet your new
EI--sdtat a.d those who are ~ AID ann IN asp!rit
a. eE-s4lt. He.p them % accomplish what Is
expected e. them. Realize that tnsy are here
- FouE &ooi. lie taeir friends aud taev viii
&c Eoa.s. A.e I've Ynn extaAreaa fnr rn,r