The San Francisco call., 1898-05-25
ALUMNI DAY
 AT STANFORD Officers Chosen by the
 Association. WHITTIER ITS PRESIDENT. TAX ON COLLEGE PROPERTY
 DENOUNCED. Friends of the University Urged to Labor to Remedy Existing
 Conditions by Legisla-
 tive Enactment.
TAX ON COLLEGE PROPERTY DENOUNCED.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY, May 24 This was alumni day. Exercises were held in the chapel, at which officers were elected for the ensuing year and an important resolution passed, as fol- lows:
 constitution our university is paying and Is compelled to pay taxes on all its prop erty. and accordingly Its resources and usefulness are just so far lessened, while in other States liberal exemptions of the property of like institutions, which are used for educational purposes, are made, and such institutions are encouraged and aided rather than crippled: and whereas, there seems to be no reason in justice or sound policy why our State States and help rather than hinder the in stitutions of higher learning within its borders; therefore be 1t
 Leland Stanford Jr. University, That all the alumni ex-students and friends of the university be and they are hereby urged to use all proper means to remedy the un- fortunate condition of our State law, and that to that end this association suggests and recommends the following action on their part best adapted to accom- plishing the desired result:
 First-That all vote and lead others to vote in favor of holding a constitutional convention when the question of holding such a convention is presented to the peo- pie for decision at the next election. In a constitutional convention, when other al- terationS are being made, the changes which we desire may be more easily ob- tained.
 Secondly-That everything possible and proper be done to have nominated and elected to our next Legislature men who, in case the constitutional convention should not be ordered by the people, will vote to refer to the people of the State an amendment to our constitution exempt Ing such property used for educational purposes as Is usually exempt in other States.
 Whereas, by the provisions of section 1913 of the Civil Code of our State persons who desire to leave their property to the university and who for any reasons can not transfer it to the university before their death. are prevented from willing to the university more than one-third of their estate, and their gifts to the uni Versity are seriously curtailed; and whereas, there seems to be no sound req son for such restrictions on beouests on devises to institutions of learning; there fore be 1t
 Resolved, by the Alumni Association of Leland Stanford Jr. University, That all the alumni, ex-students and friends of the university be and they are hereby urged to use all proper means to have nomi- mated and elected to our next Legislature men who will vote for such amendment of the above mentioned section of the Civil Code as will avoid the restrictions which 1t puts on parties wishing to will property to the university.
 The officers elected for next year are. C. B. Whittier. president; B. F. Bledsoe. vice-president; Miss H. L. StadtmuIler secretary; c. E. Cox, treasurer; Jeffer- son Fillmore, Henry Cory. Abe Lewis. executive board.
 After the business meeting members of the alumni and the seniors proceeded to Roble Hall, where a luncheon was served. The affair was in the nature or a reunion and many of the faces of those who have done most to make Stanford history could be seen. The following toasts were given:
 'To '9S,'' c. R. Field, '95, toastmaster. response, $. N. Charles, president of '9S: Alumni and Athletics" J. F. Sheehan Jr.. s6; rhyming prose, Dr.; W: W: Tho "The Past Year" Dr. David Starr Jordan
 The great feature of the afternoon was the reception rendered by Mrs. class and the alumni. Mrs. Stanford's residence was tastily decorated. | Friends who had not met since gradu- ating had an opportunity of renewing ties under most pleasing circum- stances, and comparing notes on the slowness of the brighest college dreams in materializing.
 It was the homemade concert, how ever, that put the most fitting climax on the days festivities. Long before | dark, and when the long lines of lan- terms were still unlighted people had | crowded on the quad admiring the grand and beautifully decorated booths | and waiting for the entertainment to begin. This affair, peculiar to Stan ford itself. has become a most enjoy l able feature of the gay commence | ment week.
 Tonight things were arranged on a | more elaborate scale than ever before. | The same as of yore, but the ceremony of | fitting the class plate of bronze in a | square of the quadrangle was an added | feature of the evening. The final exer- cises will be held tomorrow, when di- | plomaS will be conferred.
 Vote against the new charter be- cause there is no adequate provision for the custody of the moneys in the