The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-30
DR. FINLEY INSTALLED
NEW HEAD OF coILzaR or NEW
 YORK.
President Roosevelt ssnds . Letter of congratulation and Former President Cleveland Delivers
 an Addrsss.

New York. Sept. 0.-Dr. John Huston ffniey, who left the faculty of Princeton to accept the presidency of the College of the City of New York was installed in that ofiice before . sathering of college presidents and other prominent people participating In the installation ceremony Among those present was ex-President Cleveland. Daniel s. Lamont, former secretary of War: Charles 6. radrchiid, rormer Secretary of the Treasury; John O. Carlisle. former Secretary of the Treasury: John Young, General Chaffe, Mayor Seth Low and other city ofiiciaIs; Governor William Hunt of Porto Rico: Cnaries R. skinner. State Superintendent or PuSic Instructions and Colonel Albert T. Mills. superintendent of the West Point Miliatw Academy. A letter of con sratufahion from President Roosevelt was read as follows:
 My Dear Mir. Finley-It Is q matter of zeal regret to me that am unable to be present on the occasion of your installa- ton. The day marks a new epoch In the history of the College of the City of New York end 1t is therefore of special and great interest to all interested in the cause of popular education. You are now called, to preside over an educational institution which Is the crown of the public school system of the greatest State in our Union; an institution whose exist ence shows how definite has been the decision four people that the State shall aid. not only in elementary, but also in higher education.
 Nothing is moro characteristic of our American Republic than the fostering care which through their representative the people have assumed over the educa- uon or all the citizens in primary mat ters and of ai those who care to TO be- yond primary matters in those additional branches requisite of attainment of leadership in the great professions. In al this our people have surely been very wise.
 Education as given in the schools and colleges cannot of itsef 1t Us for good citizenship. But the lack of it would assuredly render us unit. You, and those associated with you, and those who tn the innumerable other institutions of learning throughout the country are doing work similar in kind if not in degree to yours ,aa Ia like making the whole body polite your debtors. Next to the home Is the school. the college. the university, which do most to determine the efficiency of the individual as citizen in this great eelf-governing republic of ours, and there fore those who are to shape our citizen- ShtP VI th5 AutuNO put tffS HdttOn m u special sense under obligations to them.
 T congratulate you because 1t Is given to you in high position and in a college we'll night unique among our American educational institutions to do your part in this great work: and will speak in no vein of empty compliment when I say that am absolutely certan how well and faithfully this part will be played by you
 With all goods wishes.
 Faithfully yours.
 Theodore Roosevelt.
 Grover Cleveland. who was one of the speakers. said in part:
 T cannot rid myself at this moment of the thought that education is a selfish, useless thing if 1t ts to be hid in a nap kin, or If 1t is to be hugged to the breast by its possessor, as a mere individual prize: and 1t seems to me that the exist ence of schools and colleges in this land of ours can scarcely be deemed important except as they are the sources from which education may be distributed through many channels. for the enrich ment of the body polite and the stimula- ton of patriotic thoughtfulness among our people.
 we can contemplate today the great service of usefulness which embellish the history of the College of the City of New York and we see for It's future vastly in creased facilities and opportunities; but our most inspiring thought should be that the advanced education It imparts Is freely bestowed upon rich and poor alike, without price or cost.
 If we have outgrown the simplicity of our early national life: if with the growth of abnormal enterprises and a mad strug- gle for wealth, a constant and acute soli- citation for the country's veal has been somewhat subordinated, and if in our sociad and business life we can see signs of a cleavage that may divide our people into district and unsympathetic classes, we should be watchful. If with these things we also discover @ movement toward a general collegiate education, we ought to regard 1t as another unfavorable symptom. if increasing learning is to be made only a mere ornamental accompani- ment to the unwholesome and pitiable ostentation If riches and pride.
 Tt should be the prayer of every patriotic citizen that American education may never be so degraded; that 1t may always remain true to its mission, a steadying force against all untoward conditions; that higher education, as 1t becomes more accessible and widespread, may reinforce the frmness of our national foundations, as they are made to bear the increased weight of our coun- try's healthful development, and that In the democracy of education our peopls may ever be gathered together under the sanction of enlightened and strong American citizenship"
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