St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-02
ITS LARGEST CLASS.
The University Of Minnesota
Awards Diplomas to 249
Young People.
Several Of the Graduates Make
MepitOrious Platform
Addresses.
James E. Phillips Take a Pass
ing Shot at the Secular
Newspapers.
Those Who Were Fortunate
Enough to Secure the
Prizes.

Yesterday was gala day for the stu
dents OF the University of Minnesota.
1t was day of great moment to the 249
members of the class of '93, and.to the
university in general, for the former
have passed from the acme of prepara-
ton into the activities of real life, and
the latter has graduated the largest
class which has ever called her "alma
mater" Congratulations were the order
of the day upon all sides.
The time for the commencement pro-
gramme to begin was o'clock. Long
before the appointed hour the friends
and relatives Of the seniors, to the num-
Der Of several thousand, came from all
directions to the old coliseum on the
campus and sought the most comforta-
BILE seats available for the long siege OF
oratory which characterizes the eXer-
ciSes of commencement day, and which
might become mOnotonous did it come
more often than once year.
At exactly 9:15 O'Clock, while DanZ's
orchestra played march by Thiele, the
somber line of capped and gowned
graduates came marching into the hall.
led by the president of the class, George
p. Merrill, and Miss Elizabeth Peters,
F. the valedlctorian President Northrop
then came forward and announced the
prayer by Rev. George r. Merrill, pastor
of the First Congregational church. The
orchestra played an overture from
"Zampa." after which the CRATIC salu-
toria was delivered by Albert G. Knud-
son. Mr.. Knudson spoke his oration i'll
Latin. 1t was brief and some what like
the average salutatory, but with several
touches of originality. His voice and
enunciation were good. and though the
audience did not appear to catch his
connection at times, yet the address of
welcome seemed to be quite generally
appreciated.
"The Political Future of the Negro"
was the theme treated by Benjamin Q,
Taylor.
"The experiment of extending the
f franchise to the negro has proved a
failure" he said. "It will not be until
the negro has prepared himself for pub
lie position and then demands the re-
spects due him, that his condition will
be improved in the South. 1t is
through the public schools and the
church that we may hope for better
ment of this condition"
Mabel A. Golfer, the next speaker,
took for her theme "The Love of Power
he Master Passion" Miss Golfer
treated the subject in clear and con-.
else manner. Her line of thoughtswas
largely in reference to nature, and she
found illustrations both in the elements
and in man. "The love OF power is
sometimes so strong that we admire it
even in its perverted form of vice." was
one of her thoughts.
The next speaker, after selection
from "Robin Hood" by the orchestra.
was Andrew NJ. Berseth. His Grafton
was entitled "The Influence of Science
on Religion" He showed clearly the
progress of the effect of science upon
religious thought from the time when
the people believed the "heavens were
an adamantine dome set with gems"
down to the present, when the heav
ems have been resolved into complete
system with the sun as center and the
planets moving around it in harmony
with natural laws that control the uni
verse;"
James E. Phillips oration was entitled
1.-The Mission Of the Newspapers, and
was severe attack on the secular
press. Barring a few on sale to the
highest bidder he thought newspapers
cling blindIy to political parties, regard
less to platform or moral conduct. They
cater to public taste too much, and have
no high ideal. The mission of the press
is to educate, but it often fails.
Mary G. Smith departed from the GUS
tomary subject and spoke on "Almsgiv-
ing VS.. Charity" The old method, she
believed, had passed away, and in its
place. by careful study of sociology
men had come to realize that the way
to help the poor was to enable them to
help themselves.
Harry o. Hanuum spoke on the "Bro-
therhood of Nature" In his introduce
ton he drew some vivid word pictures
of political troubles rising and lncreas-
ing until they eliminate in bloody war.
"Arbitration is the key to settlement"
was his central thought.
A very pleasing speaker was Arthur
w. Seloyer, who was on the commence
ment programme last year, but was un-
able to fill his position on account of an
accident. This years class kindly eX-
tended him an invitation to deliver his
Grafton on this occasion. Mr. Selover
selected for a subject "The Polit-
ical Machine" For an answer
to the question how inefficient
men secured positions of public
trust he would turn to the political ma
chine which is kept oiled by money and
influence. He referred to the gerry
mander system in politics. For rem
edy Mr.. Selover looked to the intelligent
to them not to vote for a man because
to fill the position he sought.
The next speaker was Elizabeth Pc
ters. who delivered the valedictory adj
dress. Miss Peters delivery and enun-
citation were very commendable.
The degrees were then conferred
upon the candidates by President Nor
throp, followed by the announcement
of prizes awarded. The Paige prize of
$50 was awarded to j. G. Sweet, for his
thesis on Railroad CroSsingS.p
The Gillette -Hertz0g prize of $50 and
a gold medal went to Delos G. Wash
burn; second prize of $50 and gold
medal to Frank E. Reidhead.
The Moses Marston memorial schol-
arship in English was received by Clar-
ence Ellithorpe.
The 80 memorial history prize was
awarded TO Hubert G. Carel.
The university fellowship was
awarded to Elizabeth Peters.
There were four degrees conferred for
master of arts, four for master Of sci
ence, one for master Of literature and