The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-10-18

wallis & Eastern passenger at half
past one, with Governor Geer,
President Campbell and others as
members of the party. Both Sec
tons were met by the band and
citizens and escorted to the college.
In twenty minutes after the first
party arrived, the members were
swallowing salads, ham, pickles,
je1lies, cake, ice cream, coffee and
other edib1es at the twenty tables.
Numerous Lincoln and Benton
county people ate with them, and
afterwards all stro1led or stood in
knots about the grounds or in the
buildings. On arrival, the second
party was hurried to luncheon,
and thereafter taken to the Armory
for the dedicatory ceremonies.
Most impressive were the dedi-
catory exercises. The Armory
platform was crowded with dis
tinguished men. Governors con-
gressmen, senator's, past, present
and prospective were there in pro-
fusion. Side by side, sat President
Campbell of the State University
and President Catch of the college.
The college board of regents, under
whose policy and economy in use
of provided funds the new building
was made possible, appeared in a
body, President Weatherford at
their head. The galleries and
main floor of the big auditorium
were mass of humanity. Twelve
hundred to 1900 people were there.
Grand as is the magnificent building
whose completion the function was
to celebrate, the dedicatory exer-
else and the assembly it called out,
were not less superb.
Of speeches, there were many,
and all were excellent. AS pre-
sidiug officer, President Weather
for briefly bade all welcome. Then
there was an invocation by Rev
Humbert. The prayer petitioned
the throne of grace for manifold
blessings on the new structure and
the work to be carried forward in
it, and on the great educational in
stitution of which it is a glorious
part. Then the germ of the dedi-
catory ceremony began to unfold.
Chairman Apperson, venerable and
stalwart, appeared On the platform.
It was his function as chairman of
the building committee to present
the finished structure to the assem-
b1ed board, and the task was fit
ting. 1t was Captain Appersop
who first urged construction of
Agricultural Hall. Three Or four
years ago, when president of the
board, in an annual report he set
forth the crowded condition of the
departments, and the need of a new
building. On every succeeding
occasion thereafter, he was a de-
voted advocate of the plan. When
funds for the purpose were finally
available, he was appointed, along
with President Weatherford and
Secretary Daily, building COM
mittee, and made its chairman.
The work of the committee was
subsequently so perfect that the
bill for extras was but 500, some
thing almost unprecedented in the
history of building.
In brief but very impressive
speech, Chairman Apperson made
the presentation. One of his state
ments was that, as it stands today,
Agricultural Hall has cost S47,762.
On behalf of the board, President
Weatherford accepted the trust.
and then Regent KILN moved a
vote of thanks to the building COM
mittee for the excellence and fde1.
ity of their unrewarded 1abors,
It fell to the lot of Governor
Geer to make the dedicatory ad
dress. He said it was great day |
for the Agricultural College. He
knew the institution when it was a
small school under denominationa1 /
control. He knew it when the late
Senator Thomas Cauthorn was its
constant champion On the floor of
the Oregon senate. To Senator
he declared, was largely
due the vast impetus given the in
stitution when it was re-organized
and placed under state control.
''The people of the state, the farm
ers of Oregon, and the people of
Benton county and Corvallis" the !
governor declared, lowe a great
debt to that man whose whole pur-
pose and effort was directed to the
upbuilding of this college"
Governor Geer said that Oregon
IS now buying carload per day of
products that she herself should
produce. Until she stops buying
and herself grows these products, I
she can never attain that high
for which she is so pre-
eminently fitted by nature. Tie