Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-29

Every seat in the commodious nor
NAL chapel was filed last night upon
the occasion of the fifth annual COM
mencement of the New Mexico Nor
NAL university. Extra chairs were
placed in the aisles, and beyond the
wide docrways Of the room go0dly
company sat. The exercises were OF
great interest throughout. The COM
mencement address by the Hon. Frank
Springer, for several years the broad
minded and progressive president OF
the board of regents, was an inspira-
ton and a delight to all who listened
to it. Nine graduates received their
sheepskins. The retiring president,
Mr.. Edgar l.. Hewett, made an able,
convincing and eloquent address, deal
| ing with problems which had confront
ed the management during the past
| five years and with the principles
upon which the institution had been
conducted. The musical program
was excellent. To many not the least
important feature OF the evening was
the social given in the rooms after
the regular program had been con.
cluded.
Upon the platform sat the members
of the faculty, the orator Of the even.
ing and four members of the board
of regents, Messrs. Browne, Spiess
Smith aud Ilfeld, the seat reserved for
DR.. Upton remaining unoccupied.
The members Of the graduating
class were seated facing the platform
in The front row of chapel seats.
After an overture by the orchestrs
the entire audience rose anu san:
"America." An invocation was givel
by the Rev. A. c. Geyer Mr. Duncan
Bell, accompanied in cello obligato b,
Mr.. Joseph Blondin and on the plan,
lty Mrs. J. G. McNary, sang Hamil
tons Gray's beautiful Dream of Par
adise." The young man mas a sweet
though not particularly strong tenor
and mis- rendering was artistic an,
pleasing.
During the evening Mr., Blondin de
lighted the audience by cello sole
The Hon. Frank Springer was in
troduced by President Hewett II
was received with salvos Of applause
Mr.. Springer was at bis best, which i
saying much, and delivered an ad
dress the memory Of which will linge
, in the minds Of the students whel
many of the now bright experience
, Of college life shall be forgotten.
. Retiring President Hewett said:
Mr.. President, Members Of the Alum
nj and Graduating Glass, Student
, and Friends Of the New Mexic
Normal University:
Some years ago upon notable o.
casion had the honor to announc
from this platform the spirit an
policy that should prevail in the a,
ministration Of this institution unde
its present faculty. 1t is fitting th;
we should now look back upon th
declarations there made and see II "
. have gone farther than we shoul
E from the path marked out.
The policy announced at that tin
was the result Of several years stud
/. of the general problems Of school a
!. ministrations and OF more than ye,
q OF thought devoted to the particul;
4 problems of this institution. a
n sumed that 1t was not desired tn
/. an institution Of this character shou
/. drift from year to year in uncertaint
q That an institution, like an individu;
II is most useful TO society when don
d mated by steadfast, increasing pu
=. pose. Accordingly, from the time
first studied Its unfinished walls, ma,
the acquaintance Of Its officers al
d thought Of having part In its dew
q opment. ! made It my duty to int
"a pret the spirit and needs Of the pt
,s pie that brought 1t into existence. al
o the place 1t might be made to fll
the life Of the commonwealth