The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-02

| Russell. Alabama: Joseph Malloy San- key. Alabama; Clarence Eugene Sellers, Alabama: Wilbur Allen Sellers. Ala. John Duncan Smith, Mississippi; Guy Stewart, Alabama; Thomas Franklin Taylor. Alabama: David Archibald Tucker. Alabama; Charles Walden Van diver, Alabama; Eugene Edward Will l Hams, Alabama; Charles Elias Wn- Hams, Alabama.
 day before the Society of the Alumni Jby Congressman Sydney H. Bowie or the class of 1885 was pronounced oy all who heard 1t to be one of the most practical, forceful, and at the same time. eloquent efforts ever made on a commencement occasion.
 Mir. Bowie announced as his theme the Advantages and Obligations or Higher Education" The demand, ne said, for trained specialists in the vari- ous departments of human endeavor is lconstantly on the increase. and thorough education of the heart. mind. and hand is essentially necessary for the development of such men. He spoke of the great gap between curic- cula of the rural public schools and of the institutions of higher learning in our Stae. This should not be-.
 He contrasted what Alabama had done for her school system with other States, and demonstrated forcibly our need of improvement in this direction. The trouble in Alabama, he declared, is in the organic law of the State. The only way our State can ever reach the position which should be hers is by providing for local taxation. Local taxation appeals to proper local pride and interest, without which the best results for the least expenditure of money cannot be secured. But this Is the only solution. since the State fund has already reached it's maximum, the present State appropriation for public school being relatively as large as that of any other State in the | Union.
 We are faced by the alarming fact that at present white iiiiteracy IS ins the negro. It is high time that we awaken to an appreciation of our true position. Alabama is the only State in the Union that denies selves for the support of their own schools. Conditions vary in each lcommunity. Our school laws as they now stand are like Procrustian bed, requiring all who repose thereon to be either cut off or stretched to the exact length of their couch. The day Is not far~distant. however, when Ala bama will see her duty and perform University will be. as 1t should the capstone of the educational system in our State.
 At the conclusion of Congressman's | BOWle speech, SendIOT moIBd$ WhO was in the audience, was called upon. and responded with a brief talk. con- graduating the University on the mes- sage 1t had just received from the future opportunities of Alabama, oppor- tunities that will inevitably come as q result of her great agricultural and mineral resources, as well as the out lets which will soon be opened for the marketing of the same. | Immediately after the conclusion or tho exercises, a short business meet ing of the Alumni Society was held following result: W. Hill Ferguson, of the class of 1896, president; F. M. Moody. of the class of 1897. first vice. president; J. R. Forman, of the class Palmer. of the class of 1882. secretary; J. H. Fitts, of the class 1S49, treasu- Ter; R. T. Majors of the class of 1898, registrar. Advisory Committee. Dr. John Little, s. A. Wood and Phares
 The annual Alumni banquet was held in the University dining hall. Covers were laid for 400 and there quet was substantial and satisfying. Hon. T. NJ. Owen. the arblter of the feast, presided in excellent style. de- llivering words of wisdom and wit in lturn. The speeches were of the first iorder. but perhaps the most eloquent was that of MT. R. T. Majors, who responded to the toast. "The Alumni in the Last Decade" He sketched in a teresting the history of the University during the past ten years.
 The following is the program in full:
 I. Prologue by the Symposiarch Men are but children of larger growth; Our appetites are apt to change as And full as craving too. and full as l
 IT. Invocation.
 We meet today, united. free,
 And loyal to our land and Thee"
 Whittier.
 III. Dialogue, Platonic and Epicu- "Cne flag. one land. one heart.
 One hand, one nation evermore."
 -Holmes.
 ". Decalogue-By the Elect.
 1. Our State and its University lGovernor R. M. Cunningham.
 Peace rules the, day, where reason
 rules tsie mind" Collins.
 2. The Trustees and Faculty-Hon IT. NJ. Stevens.
 "Order Is Heavens first law; and this | contest,
 Some are and must be greater than More rich. more wise; but who infers from thence
 That such are happier, shocks all com mon sense" Pope.
 3. The Public schools--Hon. H. c. lGunnels.
 Learning bv study must be won
 Twas ne'er entailed from son to son" | Gray. l 4. Money-The Automobile-Presi went w. c. P. Harding. Foul cankering rust the hidden treas ure frets
 But gold that's put to use. more gold beGets." Shakespeare. 5. The AIumni-In the Last Decade R. T. Majors.
 His tongue Dropt mama, and could make the worst appear.
 The better reason, to perplex and dash Maturest counsels." Milton. 6. The Class of "1904."
 a. The Literary Department-E. L. Clarkson.
 T count myself in nothing else so happy
 As In a soul rememb'ring my good friends" Shakespeare.
 b. The Law Department-Aubrey | Boyles
 T think. am sure a brothers love ex- All the worlds love in its unworldli- ness" Browning.
 V. Analogue-By Conscripts and