Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-26
Howard College, Formally Opened
 Yesterday
WITH AN ASSURED SUCCESS
One Hundred and Eight Matric- ulates-TWo Women Among
 Them and More Coming.

Time never was when doWaTu coiAoso, the pride of Birmingham and Alabama had more brilliant opening than yester- day morning. Since the foundation or this college at Marion it has grown, being twice reduced to ashes, until now IL mas advantages equal to any southern lnstltu- tion. It's faculty is composed Of cultured, refned and experienced instructors, ana the curriculum cannot be surpassed by any southern college.
 During the past year everything possible has been done for the comfort of students The beautiful campus has been worked on and gravel walks made. The dormltorles have all been renovated and the mess hall now is thing to be admired. It mas been remodeed and repainted, both inside and out. In fact the appearance of the oulid- ines and grounds is better than year ago. Not only has work along this line been going on, but the entire summer has faculty in working up students: The state bas been thoroughly canvassed, ana This the faculty had labored for, and their labors were rewarded by larger at tendance than ever before in the history of the college. The students began to arrive as early as Friday, and they are not naiI here by any means. Some came ln last night and others this morning on the early Yesterday dawned fair and bright, and more delightful day for the opening exer- cises could not have been chosen had the weather bureau been consulted.
 Long before the hour for the exercises to begin visitors began to fill the spacious chapel, and when Dr. McGaha ordered the exercises to proceed it was packed with students Ia remarkably large percentage of whom were new ones) fair women, anA- ious fathers and well -WishefS.
 Dr. P. T. Hale, Dr. D. B. Gray, pr. W, B. Crumpton, Capt. Johu M. Martin, Hon. Joseph H. Montgomery, the iacul.y and quite large number of others occu- pied the rostrum.
 At 10 o'clock the exercises, which were presided over by President A. w. McGaha, began by singing gospel hymn No. l0l.
 Dr. w. B. Crumpton read a part o1 the fifteenth chapter of John, taking "l am the vine' as the base of fervent prayer which he offered in behalf of the college, the students and all. His prayer was earnest and to the point.
 Dr. McGaha then announced that tne ln- formal exercises had opened and that It WAS an inspiration to see so many or the Irlenos of the college and to see such au increased attendance over former openings. He was stimulated to see such fattering prospects and was glad to see that the people nad taken such an interest in Howard. He closed his few remarks by stating mat ne would allow some of the gentlemen ou the
  ors could entertain them later. Dr. Gray was called for and began by ln- dulging in few humorous remarks, but soon changed it to heavier vein. lie thought football, boat racing and other sports were we'll enough, but thought that they could go too far. He thought that mental culture should take the place, of portion of college sports. He urged the bows not to become too concelted, and sald that conceited boy could only be toler- ated according to his promises. He urged them to form a character while in college. His speech was continued for a few m1n- utes in the same strain, when ne resigned the floor.
 Capt. John M. Martin was called for, and opened his speech by stating that while he was young man he had heard or HOW ard as long as any of the present profess ors. He spoke of how he cherished the institution; and that he did not see why Howard should not become to Birming- ham what Yale is to New Haven. He thought that the graduates and friends should work with the institution at heart.
 He did not see why people should care if Howard was run by religious denoml- nation. It mattered not whether It was Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodlsts or what not. The thing the boys were aiter was an education, and 1t mattered nt- tie by whom they were taught. He could not see why young meD would leave Bir- mingham to go off to other colleges when Howard offered opportunities equal to any Il sought to furnish to Howard college each year 800 students. They are here aud there is no reason why the people should not send them."
 He wanted to see the Commercial club and the people take hold of this subject and work it to a profitable end. In closing he said: ssIf I had a boy to educate no earthly iuducement could make me send him anywhere but to Howard college.'
 Captain Martn's speech had the right ring and it was received With hearty applause. Drs. Hale and Crumpton nade speeches along the same line.
 WEST POINT UNIFoRM
 Dr. McGaha announced that the faculty had decided to allow only West Point regulation uniforms to be worn this year. The West Point is much prettier uniform than the one heretofore used, and will be something of a departure,
 ADMISSION OF WOMEN.
 Dr. McGaha announced also that any young lady who wanted to enter Howard could do SO. This was announced also in the catalogues, as 1t was decided upon by the board of trustees.
 Miss Eugenia Weatherly, bright and handsome young woman. applied for ad- mission ,an6 also young lady from Rome, Ga. There are several others yet to come.
 INTERPOLATION.
 Immediately after the closing of the ex- ercises matricuation began, and up to 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon 108 mad ma circulated. There were perhaps dozen or more old scholars on the grounds who had not matriculated. This is the largest num-