Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-17
THE PRESIDENT
Addresses a Large Audience
at Tuskegee, Ala.
Presidential Party Visits the Normal
School, Is Heartily Welcomed.
Receives Tremendous Ovation al Confederate
Capital Speech in Montgomery.

Tuskegee. Ala, Dec. 1.-the special
train bringing the Alabama Legislature
rachel Tuskegee lat $50 A. M. The
procession formed at the Tuskegee de-
pot ana marched through the city on
their way to the Normal school. In
the carriage with the President was
Gov. Johnston of Alabama, Col. Foster
of Tuskegee and Booker r. Washing
ton. In the other carriages We're Mrs.
Mckinley and other ladies of the Pres
ident's party, members of the cabinet
and Generals Wheeler Shafter and
Lawton. At the entrance to the Nor
NAL schools grounds was a beautiful
arch, inscribed. welcome to the
Chief" and decorations of bunting,
holly, moss and products of the field
were in profusion along the ROAD
through the grounds. The President
and party first reviewed more than 600
boys and 800 girls of the Normal school
and eco children of the training school
Each of the boys carried a stalk of SUI
gar cane with palm in the top, each
of the girls a stalk with cotton balls
at the top, and the children carried
stalks tipped with mistletoe
President Mckinley showed much in
terest and pleasure as he reviewed the
procession. After the procession of
students came some 80 floats represent
ing al departments of the school work
Many of these We're by way of con-
trast, one representing the old way of
DONG things, the other the new Af-
ter this procession all present followed
the President to the beautiful new
chapel. Only about 5000 people gained
admittance. Here singing by the stu
dents Of plantation melodies, the most
quaint and beautiful of the Black Belt
section, was special feature and
greatly enjoyed by the President and
the entire audience. Booker I. Wash
ington introduced Gov. Johnston who
in turn introduced President Mckinley.
The President and Gen. Wheeler were
listened to with special attention AT
l p. M. the party left for Montgom-
cry.
President Mckinley addressed the
school and assemblage as follows:
Teachers and Pupils of Tuskegae:
To meet you under such pleasant skies
and have the opportunity of personal
observation Of your work is inGled most
gratifying.
Nowhere. l think could a more de-
EShtful location have been chosen for
this unique educational experiment
which has attracted the attention and
Won the support. even of conservative
philanthropists in all sections of the
country.
''To speak of Tuskegae without pay
ing special tribute to Booker T. Wash
ingtons genius and perseverance would
be impossible. The inception of this
noble enterprise was his, and he de
serves high credit for it, His was the
enthusiasm and enterprise which made
its steady progress possible and estab-
lished in it the present high standard
of accomplishments Iie had won a
worthy reputation as one Of the great
leaders Of his race, widely known and
much respected at home and abroad
as an accomplished educator. q good
orator and a true phiIantropist.
What steady and gratifying advan-
ces have been made during the past Is
years a personal inspection of the ma
terial equipment strikingly proves
The fundamental plan of the original
has been steadily followed.
but new features have been added. A
thousand students, / am told, are here
cared for by nearly a hundred teachers.
forming, with the prepara-
tory department, a symmetrical schol-
astic community which has been well
called model for the industrial color
ed schools Of the South. Certain it is
that pupil bent on fitting himself or
herself for mechanical work can here
have the widest choice of useful and
domestic occupations.
"One thing l like about this insttu-
ton is that its policy has been gener-
Gus and progressive; it is not so self
centered or Interested in its own pur-
suits and ambitions as to ignore what
is going on in the rest Of the country,
or make it difficult for outsiders to
share its local advantages. i allude es-
Continued On page 81