The Washington times., 1903-04-26

Banquet Held at Rauscher's
Last Night-FormaIity of
Other Days Disappears in
Enthusiasm of New Ideas
President Needham Tells OF
His Dreams For ar Up
to-Date" Educational In
stitutiOn.

How dear 10 my heart are my thoughts OF Co
lumbar,
When fond recolIectious present them 20 view
The classroom, the campus, tile finger marked
And every loved spot which our college days
knew
The bridge Ger Rock Greek where the cataract
fell
Tie scenes Of my home in my summer vacation,
TIe summer vacation that I loved 60 we'll.
tine Greater University was the
subject of chief Importance at the an
nuaI banquet of the alumni association
OF Columbian University held al Rausch-
er's last night. The usual reception Of
the members Of the association was held
al o'clock, followed by the customary
banquet al 100 D. N.
As compared with former occasions
OF this kind. the event last evening
marks an innovation in the breaking up
of the formal and somewhat impressive
banquets OF the past. the dissipation OF
that air of sedate and solemn citizens
usually found about the banquet board
and the introduction OF more of the wide
awake spirit Of college men who believe
IN the future of the university and who
are looking With a hopeful spirit to d
future which to them IS full OF prom
Use.
Old Ways Set Aside.
And with all of this change there was
no evidence ,of departure from the bet
ter things of the past. Never in the his
tory of the university have ADLER speak
ers responded to the after-dinner toasts-
II was due to the introduction of college
songs. in which all heartily Joined. the
interspersing songs by the University
Glee Club between the speeches, and the
fine music By the mandolin orchestra
throughout the evening that the old way
of doing things was set aside, and q
brighter and more enjoyable evening was
furnished 10 the assembled guests r.
The banquet was served in RausCher' s
new banquet hall and the tables were
arranged N the form Of horseshoe
with the arc Of the shoe facing north.
Here were seated the postmaster. Hon.
4 S. Worthington, of the class Of 1868,
and the speakers of the evening. 1T
the southern end Of the hall in the bal
cony seats were reserved Tor the
ladies'. who listened Intently 60 the ex-
ercises. and who added much to the
-ez1husiasm Of the occasion by their
hearty applause.
TCasts and Songs.
After the banquet. an elaborate affair
OF nine courses. was concluded the
tCastmaster announced the singing OF
the old song. Landlord. FIJI the Flow
sng Bowl'-and added all VIII ne
expected TO sing. no one viii be com
PEELED % drink
N announcing the first speaker OF tn.
evening, Mr. Torthington spoke OF his
dream of a greater nation. greater
Capital a greater thirst for knowledge
and 3 greater university. one thar should
be. the university of universities, ans
introduced President Eeedham as II,
president Of the university OF univarsi-
ties.
President Needham spoke in an earn
est manner at some length Of the need.
OF the university IN order to ran5 d,
the first in -up-to-date'' methods. Wh5I
This university had enjoyed long If.
II did not mean that long lie implied
decay institutions. like men, mss
move on or they would fail in their mis-
sion. The needs OF the present da5
are in advance of Tie needs Of otas-
years and the university must provi5,