Arizona weekly citizen., 1895-06-08
At the First Annual Commence ment of the University of
 Arizona.
The Exercises Pass Of Pleasantly In the Presence of Many Friends of the University-A Luncheon
 and a Reception.


 ment of that institution was carried last Wednesday. After four years of active work three alumni, members of the flrst class organized at the opening of the in- stitution are DOW sent forth to do battle with the world.
 Although old Boreas did his best to make things disagreeable throughout the day, nibbing mother earth until the air WAS laden with sand, making it one of the worst days of the season, there was large attendance. There was not a hitch or flaw in the exercises from beginning to end, and not one of those present failed to enjoy the commence ment and each left with feeling Of greater pride and stronger loyalty to Arizona's foremost educational institu- ton than he had at the days dawning.
 Like all public occasions of this class, the exercises were a few minutes late in being opened, but the audience show ed DO sign of impstience, and occupied the time in examining the decorations of the room and discussing the institu- ton and its progress aud prospects. The assembly room, where the exercises were held, was tastifully decorated with ever greens, flowers and the university colors There were festoons of evergreens about the chandeliers and from those to the walls. Over the rostrum were the national colors and the class motto "Ip Struggle, Reward" The reading desk, piano and mantle were draped in tht university colors, eege-green and silver, and upon the mantle there was bank of beautiful sweet peas, while upon and about the platform were many petted plants from the university greenhouses. The regents, members of the faculty. students and many others wore badges of sage-green and silver, and strong university spirit seemed to parade the atmosphere. The guests were conduct ed to seats by Messrs. J. D. Young, P Noble and M. Walker, Jr.. members of the junior class, and when all WAS in readiness Dr. Comstock, president Of the university took his place upon the rostrum. Upon his left were Rev. Howard Bllman. chancellor. Hon. s. NJ. Franklin and Hon. J. G. Hilzinger, members of the board of regents, while upon his right were the three graduates, Charles Oma Rouse, Mercedes Anna ShibeIl and Mary Flint Walker. Mis- Shibell wore 8 very becoming white
 lawn and Miss Walker an equally tastful white Indian silk. In seats reserved fol them on one side were several ex-regents of the university, members of the legisla ture and other distinguished guests, and upon the other side members of tie Treble Cles and others who were to aid 1T the exerclses.
 The programme opened with piano solo, "Polacco Brilliante," by Mir. Hugo Zeckendorf, and was to have been fol lowed by an address by Governor Hughes; but the governor was absent and a letter from him was read in which he expressed regret because of his in ability to be pres sent and extended hi hearty good wishes. The presentation of prIzes followed. These are known st the Hugo Zeckendor' prizes, offered eacl year by Mr. Zsckendorf. The golC medal, offered to the member of th' senior class presenting the best essa. upon the "Duties of Citizenship" wa! competed for by two members of th | class. Mics Shibell and Mir. Rouse, and com mittee from the faculty recommend ed that the medal be awarded to Mis Shlbell, to whom it was presented b. the president. The silver medal was t | be given to the member of the lunio I class presenting the best record for tn | wear. and the committee awarded it t | Mr. J. D. Young.
 The next upon the programme was
 song by the Tucson Treble Clef unde
 the leadership of Mrs. E.. D. Crum, tn | selection being, 'I Would That M | Love-"
 | Rev. Howard Billman, chancellor C the University, was selected to presen
 the address for the board of regents
 and chose for the subject of his discourse
 "A Future of Unselfish Learning"
 was a masterly address and received th closest attention and meritsd applause He said there was in the past an aristS cracy of the nobility, an aristocracy ef tn
 wealthy and an aristocracy of the learn ed. and these formed three selfish clsese which aimed to hedge themselves abou To keep out the vulgar or common peo
 ple. He quoted from a French authc
 who claimed that the education of th
 masses was bringing about an ''era (
 mediocrity" and that there would be D
 great learning. MT. Billman denle
 that such was the case thoug
 there might be few example
 of great erudition sacrificed in order
 beip bring up the masses, there woul
 continue to ba wide and deeper learnin
 as education becomes universal. Ame ics was leading the van in the march (
 universal education and making to greatest strides towards that form
 education which makes of a man tt pest citizen, of greatest worth to tt
 state, the most unselfishly educate He looked to the university, the flow of the educational system of Arizona. aid iu bringing about this "Era of Us . ful Learning"
 After a vocal solo, "Open Thy La tice," by Mrs. B. M. Jacobs. the grad , ates were given a chance. The first w !, Charles Oma Rouse, whose essay treat' of "The Development of Irrigatit
 Law" The matter was of necessl ! largely historical in character, treatll , of irrigation es practiced in Egypt, Cf
 na, Italy and by the ancient America , in this region, the knowledge of whl i | IS derived from the remains Of thelr IT gation systems. He showed how f Rome the necessity for laws concernil
 irrigation arose and how these laws We f transferred to England and thence !, the United States. He showed tn a though the railway bad arisen and la' 1, respecting it became practically nxe , the laws of irrigation still being in f unsettled state. |. Miss Mercedes Anna Shibe!l che n "Jsmes Russell Lowell" for the subl' a of her essay, and presented very ( . tertaining paper upon this distinguish fl statesman and man of letters. It a as literary man that the essay ga i. him much attention. A brief blogrsI
 ical sketch of his literary career
 taken up, dating from the spPearaII f ID Boston paper of the "Biglow
 paro Ha Upa characterized as