New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
"TECH" MEN AT DINNER.
AN ENJOYABLE EVENING AT THE
ARENA.

+, PRESIDENT FRANCIS A. WALKER THE CHIEF
SPEAKER.
The first annual dinner Of the Nev-York Alumni
| OF the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology was
given last evening al the Arena. No. Il West Thirty
| frstst. About seventy-fve Of the alumni turned
| out TO the dinner. which in every respect
success. Between tho there college
songs. and the old familiar cry OF M. l. r.. Rah
| Rah Rah"' was often heard. The Executive Com
| mttee of the association are George L. Hens Ed
ward ID. Brown, Harvey s. Chase. Frank A. Picker
| nell and Alexander Rice McK!m.
Among those present at the dinner Bryant
Mllard. William b. Douse. Loring r. Millen, George
| L. Helms. Harvey S. Chase Horace b. Gale. II.
Ward Leonard. Percy Griffin. Charles ". Eaton.
Alexander Rice McK!m. Edgar II. Mumford, Frank
A. Pickernell Charles r. Richards. Edward L. H:g-
gins. John Gaen Howard Henry y. Merriam, Ralph
Z. Curtis and David A Center.
When the diners had satisfied their appettes Hor-
ace b. Gale introduced the first speaker OF the
ing. General Francis a. Walker. president OF the
institute. General Walker SAID IN part: The
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has changed
far less since the graduation Of the Oldest a!umnus
present than have, in the same period. most Of the
classical colleges. We have gone them; they
have come These institutions all through the
last fifteen years have been throwing overheard
studies and exercises which they declared be
absolutely essential to sound learning and taking
on studies and exercises which they denounced
as mean and mercenary and unfit TO form a part
Of any scheme Of liberal education but which they
are now, in great haste. copying from the scientific
and chronological schools. The Massachusetts In
st!tute OF Technology has. meanwhile. developed al
most entirely the lines wisely laid down its
inception. Even Tech man who at school in
the very first days, days Of obscurty and extreme
poverty, when the few small classes met in a small
upper chamber, might feel himself absolutely at
homo to-day in the insttute-so perfectly has the
spirit of that olden time been preserved 30 fully
were the best scientific methods Of this latest time
anticipated by the ;ustrious founder OF the inst-
tute.
THE Massachusetts Institute OF Technology as
you know. gentlemen, founded upon several
fundamental and far-reachng beliefs.
First belief In the essential manness OF young
men; belief that. If they properly appealed TO-
II they have presented to them subjects deserving
of their attention and best efforts they will respond
in tho spirit of trying to find how ll;tle they
do and how poorly they will be allowed to do IT,
but how much they do and how well they can
do 1t.
Secondly. a belief that the study Of scientific
principles. directed stragh; upon practice Of a
worthy profession, constituted the best kind Of edu
cation, that education which leads the most
of mind and manhood. altogether In addition to its
merits as preparation for professional success.
Thirdly belief mat o sr de princpies ac
constantly applied in held and laboratory work 1t
foundation of the laboratory Of general chemistry
and the laboratory OF general physics, OF applied
mechanics, of metallurgy, OF steam, and of hy
draulic and mill engineering.
"Fourhly, q belief that, in addition 10 scientific
and technical studies and exercises which tend TO
make men resolute exact and strong. there should
be given In every such school, at least moderate
amount OF those philosophical and culture studies
and exercises which tend to make men also broad
and liberal.
AT present the only thing in which prospect Is
not ideal IS finance But am proud to say-twice
proud once for the school and not less for my
native State-that our appeal to the Legislature
met with a response whose promptness and cordi-
and Science has sunk into the affections of the peo
pie OF Massachusetts. With absolute unanimity
the Legislature gave more than We asked for
so that for six years TO come least secure
OF what we have done.
The other speakers were ex-Mayor Abram s Hew-
tit Colonel George e. Waring. jr. Harvey s Chase
Frank A. Pickernell and Hollon c. SpaudIng