Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-29
Brilliant and Logical Address By the Hon.
Frank Springer, Former President
OF the Board.
NINE GRADUATES RECEIVE THEIR DEGREES
Retiring President MIR. Edgar L. Iewe Deals al Length With
the Principles Upon Which the Institution
Has Been Conducted,

II eunded in righteousness and admins
tered with wisdom and justice and
courage.
| At the time just referred to this
structure was fresh from the hands
OF its builders, and with impressive
ceremonies 1t was dedicated in the
name Of the people Of New Mexico to
the enlightenment of her children Of
this and future generations" have
never forgotten and never shall forget
the lofty and statesmen-like utter
ances Of the distinguished president
of the board Of regents on that occa-
ssion. Out Of the solemn obligation
there laid upon this faculty, together
with the hearty assurance Of coopera-
tion and sympathy and support which
accompanied it, there was born an
abiding confidence between the fac
ulty and the presiding genius Of the
board Of regents which gave to this
institution a steadiness OF purpose a
security and certainty that immedi-
ately placed 1t high in the respect OF
its patrons at home and of all thought
full students Of the American educa-
tional system throughout the Union.
He brought to his high and honorable
office broad intelligent and com
prehensive view of education and a
desire to serve rather than to rule
In close touch with the world Of busi-
ness, devoted to scientific research
and the advancement and dissemina-
tion Of knowledge among men, deeply
imbued with the spirit OF true culture
and broad scholarship, intolerant only
ui ssnim and pretence. and with pro
found respect for the calling Of the
educator, this distinguished citizer
and high minded gentleman was inevl
tably the chief advisor OF this ad
ministration. How wisely and unself
ishly he filed that office | shall neyei
even attempt TO say.
No reputable citizen sincerely inter
, ested in this commonwealth and lis
institutions has ever expressed {
doubt that the destinies of this lnsts
tuition We're safe in the hands of Mr.
Frank Springer. From the day thai
, he was called by Gov. Thornton tc
this public service up TO the presen
hour he has devoted time and means
to the promotion Of its interests, thu
extent Of which the public knows bu
, little. You, Mr.. President, well know
: the magnitude Of that service, for yol
have had a heavy and responsible par
in 1t from the first. And you hav,
!. spent more hours of actual toll II
8 the service Of this school than has an.
q other person excepting the paid mem
bers Of the faculty. / can not con
). clude my administration without say
a ing publicly what / have PERSONAL,
d thought every day for the past fiv'
i. years. have known something q
= public officials for twenty years an
\ In the light Of that experience | wiz
q to say that do not believe 1t ~
o sible for any public servant to adm
4 lister an Office of trust with gre n
efficiency, greater faithfulneR
a more earnest devotion to 1t tho n
: past secretary and treasurer ar d n
i. president OF this board, Mr.. Mil,
r. w. Browne. speak not only for /
If self. but for twenty assOct ltes v
g. have served with me in Ii IA sch,
If when | bear testimony to the M
IA than courteous treatment the all
Y. lutte justice ana uniailinS nelp that
/. have received at his han d..
i. The duties OF any N ember of
r board OF a public educ ational inst
I tion are great, but hose deyoly
Ie upon its offcers call for time and
i'd Dor and thought that the public knc
u little of These OF icers have st,
r. ready at all times % turn away RI
o. private business iffairs to consi
ID with me at any le myth the welfare
In this school. Its interests with tn
n had precedence over all other int