The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-17
Howard College Opened Most
 AuSplclously Yesterday
MANY HAPPY ADDRESSES
President A. p. Montague Was Re. ceIved With Great Enthusiasm. The College Boys Had Pleasant
 oathering-sans old Songs.

 and fifty students were present. The coi- lege chapel was filled with the students and friends of the college.
 At 10:s0 o'clock the Rev. Dr. A. c. Da- vidson, president of the board Of trustees opened the commencement exercises by welcoming the boys back to Howard and thanking all of the other friends of the college for their presence. after wnicn ne turned the programme over to President A. P. Montague.
 The president was received with round of applause that plainly told how much the large audience, composed or men and women from all parts or the state, loved this great educator, Wno IS doing so much for Howard.
 After a cordial welcome to the boys and the friends of the college pr. Montague spoke of how much good 1t did him to see how the old boys received the new stu- dents, showing that they did not meet the boys with the intention of hazing them or calling them rats" but with committee from the Young Mems Chris tian association who met them with cordial handshake. thus making them feel that right from the start they had friends at Howard college.
 Birmingham Newspapers.
 Before he closed his opening speech he paid a high tribute to the Birmingham newspapers, which have done so much for the college.
 F. M. Roof.
 Ex-President F. M Roof was the next speaker, who after referring to the great changes and improvements that have ta- ken place in the last few years. showing that only a few years ago Howard college was in debt s5o,ooo and that today she stands out of debt and with some of the handsomest buildings In the south. He gave the boys some valuable advice, urg- ing them to ask themselves the question, What shall this coming year bring to me?"
 The Rev. w. A. Taliaferro an alumnus of Howard, who has brought great credit upon his college since he has left it by his work in the ministry, spoke next. His main thoughts were directed to giv- ing advice to the boys along the line of
 
 length of the beauty of pure soul. A. o. Lane. Dr. Montague next introduced the Hon. A. O. Lane, the well known lawyer, and man who is doing so much for the pub lie schools of Birmingham. His speech was enjoyed by all present. The large audience had the laugh on him about the middle of his speech, when he was arous- ed and speaking with great earnestness, he said "gentlemen of the jury forget ting that he was not in the court room
 Prof. A. D. Smith was the next speaker. He spoke at length of the importance of the boys in learning to utter and act the truth.
 Capt. W. c. Ward, one of the trustees, spoke for a few minutes on the opportu- nities of today. pointing out the marked contrast that the last few years have made
 Mr. GIIreath.
 Belton Gilwreath the prominent coal operator. was the next speaker. After paying high tribute to the president he had found out, he said, that 1t was not only money for the college that Dr. Mont ague was after, but the presence and CO., operation of the people as well.
 Rabbi Newfield made a short address He said that Howard college was not con- sidered by the people of the Birmingham district as only Baptist institution, but that every denomination and men of every walk of life felt an interest in this great institution of learning. Among the others who spoke were the Rev Frank Willis Barnett, Dr. LeGrande and Mir Robb.
 Dr. Montague invited all present to visit Renfroe hall before they left the campus
 Among the Boys.
 Nearly every one of the 104 rooms of the campus have been occupied.
 Tuesday night was the scene of a hap py gathering of the old and new students, the boys shaking hands and telling each other how they had spent the vacation. They all sang the old college songs and gave the yells till quite a late hour
 One of the interesting things that was noticed among the boys was the great in- terest that the old boys were taking in trying to get the new boys to join their literary societies.
 The college spirit that the boys showed was noticeable feature. The talk of stronger football team was the main sub jec,.
 Professor Dawson, new professor, was manager of the Georgetown team in '9s. and promises to be a great help to the boys and to Professor Miles in coaching them to victory this season. Among the old players that are back are Kettles. the big tackle; Robinson. the game little quar- ter-back, and Moore and Goodson, the guards, who will make Varsity this year. The audience and especially the boys missed the smiling fact of Professor Waldrop, who is not yet able to be out Col E. P. Hogan was kept away on &C., count of the illness of his father
 A large number of the alumni attended the opening exercises yesterday.