Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-23

| institution may well feel proud Of 1t
+, is included in the walls of the institute
building. and in every way most con-
venient for the pupils. A hall that was
very much needed, the old one having
been unsuitable for. the various exer-
cises which form so large part Of the
school life. The hall is most tastefully
decorated, and is positively dainty.
with its high ceiling, i'm panels of steel,
and balconies with cypress trimmings
and figured rail. The walls are of q
| light blue tint. with cream colorea
| trimmings which harmonize'l perfectly,
and, with a large stage of modern ar
| rangement and decorations. completes
an ideal hall. The hall is about 6s feet
long with seating capacity OF about
| 1000.
| Its history of its building is brief
one. Last June, number of Pitts
fields most influential citizens met in
the office of Ex-senator Frank W.
Hovey. interested in the institutes
welfare. they saw that the hall then
used was unfit for the purpose for
which it was required. 1t was Govern
| or Powers who at once offered S3000
toward the $4,000 necessary, provided
| the balance lie subscribed As the
superintendent of schools later called
the attention of the audience to, this
| sum was made i'm honor of the Gov
crnor's mother, a tribute which indeed
reflects on the true spirit in which it
was presented.
It didn't take long to raise the re-
CURED balance. Work was at once
commenced. and the hall is now COM
plete, dedicated under the most pleas
ant and promisirS auspices. and one of
the prettiest halls in Maine
When Governor Powers arrived here,
accompanied by Mrs. Powers and their
children, Pauline and Doris, he found
warm reception awaiting him on every
hand And in the afternoon, at .
o clock when he went to the hall about
to he dedicated. he met there gathered
as large an audience 2s the hall would
hold. Of representative citizens and
their ladies, and pupils dressed in their
best attire. There were a number of
Legislators present, and prominent
people from far and near.
The stage was bower of potted.
plants, and ferns and flowers, whose
fragrance perfumed the air. Great
and recrossed, decorated the rear of
the stage in all honor to patriotism
and this country of ours; and Of all, in
respect to Washington, whose birthday
was indeed well observed in the ded-
icaton of this hall to education.
In the center Of this wealth of beauty
was IA picture of the Governor wrcathed
in flowers. About him were gathered Il
number of prominent men. There was
Prof Q. Fl. Drake. the respected princi-
pal. who presided over the exercises. Be-
side him there were President G.. c.
Chase of Bates college: Hon. A. L. Lun-
bert of Houlton. NJ. G. L.. '15 Hon. W.
w. Stetson, the State superintendent of
schools; Hon. Hannihal Hamlin of Ellis
worth: Rev. G. s.: Whitcomb formerly
of Pittsteld: Rev. Roscoe Nelson CT Nor
walk. CT: DIR. NJ. 7. Dodge of Troy; DIR.
T.. c. Bryant. Dr. +. J. Taylor. j. C. Con-
nor and William Dobson, Esq, of Pitts
field.
After music by the Bowdoin College
Quartet, and an impressive prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Whitcoyab. the detiicatory adj
dress was givenS by Rev. Roscoe Nelson
of Norwalk. Ct. M. c.. l.. 3d.. 1t was a
with the deepest interest. The. subject
was: '''rhe Service of the Christian
School to the community" 1t was
freighted with the sound sense and abil-
ity in impartingShgh sentiments to 9th
ers which characterizess the speaker. FIe
paid tribute to the great struggle that the
institution has he'd, to reach the success
which it has. t6day-a struggle that is
the only one that can make the highest
type of manhood and womanaood. Espe--l
high moral principle which, today, per-
vades the school for which its struggle
is largely directly responsible. The know
ledge and INTELLECTUAL power that is DOM