Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-18
DEGREE or DOCTOR OF LAWS
Conferred Upon President Mckinley BY lie
University Of Chicago.

Chicago, Oct. H.-President Mckinley
arose at o'clock, after enjoying q good
feeling greatly refreshed after his rest OF
yesterday and last night. Mrs. Mckinley
left her room shortly afterwards and TO-
gether with Captain McWiiltams Fanny
the President and wife enjoyed hearty
breakfast.
It was arranged for the Presidential
party to leave Captain McWllliams
house at n.30 for the University of Chi,
cago,s where President Mckinley, attired
in cap and gown. should receive the de,
gree OF LII. ID. The party was escorted
to the university by rs cadets from the
Culver Military academy VINO formed o
about the Presidents carriage until the
university was reached.
Jubilee enthusiasm was heightened, to-
day. by the thousands OF flags flung to
the breeze, while on every street near the
city's center were jostling crowds Of a
magnitude not surpassed In Chicago since
the days of the Worlds Fair.
General Nelson A. Miles, accompanied
by his wife and. staff, were among the
first arrivals, today. The party came in
over the Rock Island from Moline, and
remained on the special cars until after
8 o'clock. when the carriages were taken
to the Wellington hotel.
During the day rain set in and con-
tinued at intervals. The decorations were
badly damaged by the wind and rain. The
bicycle parade scheduled Tor tonight was
ordered postponed until Thursday night
because of the inclemen weather.
In mud-bespotted carriages, drawn by
dripping horses, the Presidential party
zens, arrived at the residence of Presi.
dent w. r. Harper of the University OF
Chicago. The pouring rain or the ankle
deep mud had no terrors, however, fol
the hundreds of students who stood In
crowds about the residence and cheereo
the President as his carriage came in
sight and long after he had entered Pres
ident t1arpers house. President Mckin-
ley appeared at a window and bowed his
acknowledgements.
Among those who witnessed the confer.
ring of the degree were Mrs. Mckinley
Mr.. Thomas r. Bryan of the peace jubi-
lee committee, Secretary and Mrs. Gage
Secretary Bliss. Secretary Wilson and
Miss Wilson, Secretary John Addison
Porter. secretary to the President. Capt
and Mrs. LAFAYETTE McWilliams and Miss
Mary McWiliams, Miss Sarah Duncan, d
niece of President Mckinley, Mr.. James
Mckinley. nephew of President McKin-
ley, and Mr.. Thomas McWilliams
President Mckinley was preSented/ by
the university authorities with an acad.
envy cap and gown. the bishop sleeves
and the decoration of three chevrons OF
purple velvet, indicating the high rank
of the degree conferred The ceremony
included the presentation of the doctors
hood, which added to the richness of the
robe. The hood is made of the same kind
of silk as used In the gown and Is adorned
with the royal purple indicative of the
rank of doctor of laws. while the lining
of maroon is the color of the University
of Chicago. A handsome oxford car
completes the academic dress. The de-
gree was conferred by the dean of the
university.
DR.. VIM. r. Harper. president of the
university. then spoke as follows: You
VIM. Mckinley, man endowed with all
the advantages Of education and expert
ence, who at a time of gravest crisis
when the veal, not only of this republic
but of foreign states. was put in deepest
peril and the path of wisdom lay dark be-
fore the people, served each highest in
terest. and by your wisdom and your
foresight, out of confusion brought a
happy ending, the trustees of the Univer-
sity of Chicago, on nomination by the
academic senate, have admitted to the de-
gree of doctor of laws. now for the first
time given by them. and have granted
and bestowed upon you all honors, rights
and privileges, here OF elsewhere apper-
tanning to the same
Il now present you with the doctors
hood of the University of Chicago. which,
in virtue of this degree. you have the
right to wear and with the diploma of
the university; and may you increase in
wisdom and in virtue and in days to come
as in the past cherish the republic and
defend her."