The age-herald., 1900-06-19
MANY VISITORS
 AT TUSCALOOSA Alabama Historical Society CeIe- brates 50th Anniversary. SPANISH CANNON CEREMONY The Ready Writer Prize Has Been Awarded to B. s. Catohings of Bir-
 mingham-Interesting Exhi-
 bition of the Museum
SPANISH CANNON CEREMONY

Tuscaloosa, June 1S.-(Special )-The Ala bama Historical Society celebrated it's fiftieth anniversary today. Thomas M Owen, the secretary, whose enthusiasm has done much to revive interest in the work of collecting data and compiling the his tory of Alabama, presided in the absence of Governor Johnston, president. The ad- dress before the society was made by Cap tain w. C. Ward of Birmingham. His subject was "The Building of the State," and was a history of the growth of Ala bama from the beginning of territorial con- dition to the present day. ~Concisely he traced the development of the state, the framing of the constitution, the judicial system, its educational growth, cultivation of the soil, the building of towns and the militia The meeting was largely attended and more interest and enthusiasm was evinced by the students and visitors than ever before. Mr. Owen, in a brief address, spoke of the fact that fifty years ago the society was organized by number of gentlemen, among them Dr. w. s. Wyman and Dr. Joshua S. Foster, who are still ac- tive members. Music was furnished by the tuscaloosa orchestra and the benedic- tion pronounced by Rev R. c. Jeter.
 At the ceremonies incident to the de- livery of~the cannon Dr. Powers presided He expressed regret that Colonel Bank head was unable to be present, as there appeared to be a peculiar fitness in hay ing that gentleman participate in the exer- clses. It was through him that the gun was secured from the War Department The Mayor having received the gun for the clty or Tuscaloosa, he would now formally turn over the same to the University.
 Mir. Davis speech
 In accepting the trust Hon. Hubert Da- wis, in behalf of the Board of Trustees. made an eloquent address. He wished that another who had been under a baptism of Hre-Whose blood had been thrilled with the booming of cannon-were in his stead on the occasion. The explosion that sunk the Maine sounded the death knell of Span ish sovereignty of the western hemisphere ana reunited nation whose people had long been rent asunder.
 A mighty armament by sea and mighty army by land united in a common purpose to sweep Spanish rule from American soil The treaty of Paris gave to Cuba her free dom, and Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands were ceded to the United States. MT Davis spoke briefly on the responsibili- ties that confront us in accepting the fruits or war, his address being patriotic and im- pressive. In conclusion he said:
 And now;S as the representative of the University, I accept for her this brass can- non as memento of our war with Spain. May it ever rest under the fag-pole of lib- erty, with its muzzle pierced in the earth as token of peace'
 The Governors review followed about one hundred cadets being in the drill, which, under Captain P. E. Moore was well executed.
 With the Governor was his staff, Colonel Brandon, Adjutant-General L. A. M. Gar Der, B. L. Holt, w. N. Nelson, c. A. Allen, Colonel Schillinger and A. H. Sterns. Three companies formed the battalion, and as the boys executed their movements on the green campus 1t was pretty sight.
 Tonight the presidents reception is in progress. Many visitors from a distance are present, and it is brilliant gathering.
 Museum Exposition
 From 2 to 5 D. m today occurred the ex- hibition of the geological museum, the physical and chemical laboratories and the osewatory. In the museum there was much to interest and a throng of visitors were entertained by Dr. Eugene Smith, Prof. Henry McColley and their assistant, MT. James A. Anderson.
 Birming ham Boy Wins
 The ready writer prize has been awarded B. s. Catchings of Birmingham. The sub ject this year was What is the moral ob- ligation of the wealthy class in a republic?"