New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-24
TEACHERS TO BE PHI. DIS.
NEW CITY COLLEGE, RULE.
1t Is Announced at Commencement
Exercises at Carnegie Hall.

The hfty-second annual commencement of the
College Of the City of New-York was held in
Carnegie Hall last night. President John Hus-
ton Finley presided at the exercises and pre-
scented the diplomas. Addresses were made by
Whitelaw Reid and Edward NJ Shepard, The
degree Of Bachelor Of Arts was conferred on 1o1
graduates and that of Bachelor OF Science on
forty-ive. Professor Adolph Werner. of stne
department of German. presented the candi-
dates for the degree Of Bachelor of Arts and
Professor Alfred g. Compton presented those
for the degree Of Science.
The hall was crowded with relatives and
friends of the graduates who cheeTed each
graduate as he walked across the stage to re-
ceive his diploma Members Of the board OF
trustees Of the college and Of the faculty occu-
pied the platform Following the comforting Of
the degrees, President Finley ir--oduced Mr..
Reid. who said:
There is but one reason for my presence here
in any other capacity than as an interested spec
tato The State has been endeavoring to bring into
relations and to coordinate all its educational in
terests under the general supervision Of tho board
over which I have the honor to preside
There IS no other educational interest in the
State so commanding or vital as its common school
system and Of that system in this great city this
college IS the crown. ought to be the dearest
Of all institutions of higher learning the people
OF New-York because, for the ground 1t covers. it
is as good the best. and il is their very own.
II belongs 70 no class or interest but 10 all the
people. We all help pay for it; the whole COM
mInty Is interested in II. and its benefits fall like
the dews of heaven.
They were never needed as much as they are to-
day. The distinguished president Of your Board
or trustees and are not apt to be in entire agree
ment on most current questions of public policy;
but on this one point feel sure that In alb
solute accord II the cause OF popular government
in this second city ofahe world Is 10 surmount it's
present perils. it must be through the work done
In the school system. Of which the College OF the
City OF New-York is the inspiring head Never IN
our history have many been coming into a
share il our government, who ignorant of
Tree institutions, accustomed only TO a rule OF
severe repression. and when that is here suddenly
Withdrawn unframed by either experience or edu-
cation TO distinguish between liberty and license.
II they and their children to be fitted for safe
absorption into the body polite. it will be through
no miracle described in the irdescen: dreams er
the rhetoricians and the stump speakers; through
no magic in the al. they breathe. the soil they
tread, or the flag that waves them. 1t will be
because our democ-atic system opens 10 them OPP
portuniy. and ouT schools fit them TO profit BY il.
II this sef-governing city. a seIf-governng city
has life insurance that is where is TO be found
nave no purpose Of Offering advice to this grad
uatirg class. II is reasonably sure that they have
mad and VIII have enough. But perhaps, I
may venture 10 ask them II they have
thought what the city supports this college for.
Certainly not merely that they may learn things
The more things some people know the worse
on the community is. 1t Is no: how much the
college, has taught you that is the vital mat
ter but rather what sort OF young the college
has made Of you. Among our self-governlng peo-
pie the highest end Of education is character-the
real work for the schools and colleges is TO deveo,
the best type OF American citizen. with the abso-
lutte respect for authority and the Unborn unex-
unguishabie striving for free individual initiative
which in harmonious cooperation have made the
Republic. and alone save H. To the extent
that the college has done this for you TO Just that
extent the city OF New-York now yearns FOR Won.
and has work for you
Edward NJ Shepard, chairman OF TIL board OF
trustees Of the college. was the next spea.er.
He said:
Ny associates and myself rejoice at the conclusion
OF the first year Of administration OF our dear and
II sun young-venerabe president. You know al
well IN college The harvest for ffty-two Years has
oeen noble. The labors OF President Finleys prete-
me results to-nighI But We look to the future-o
how Is this 10 be made the best college? The re-
sp9nslblhty rests on the graduates
cotIl.lti4'y 50 We must convince the community
that tne best work is done by the college and in
aitq bAT PROFESSORS nave prime duty to perform
possible appointments 10 the teaching star The
personal knowledge the trstes bf or {hr9ugh
merit They must be the best obtainable 90
snail take the opportunity of referring 10 "A mai
Ier which has aroused dispute and some feeling
been appointed be fellows their service
me en END OF that time man should decide to follow
tHe profession OF teaching. then We shall feel an
tDer . 70 aovance him 70 the next grade. But we
must be convinced that ne has decided 10 rnaIts
IgeachIhg MS lie work He must not become a
doctor lawyer an engineer. a merchant or a
manufacturer II he cares TO continue az an -,
Is adopting calling which will not bring him a
But ii Will bring him more than wealth
care that tBe Pgr dqy IN the college
keep at the yan that their activity shall not cease
In addition TO the term of teaching. We shall 20.
to the degree OF Doctor Of Phoso9b% Ieadi ing
complishmen. OF that degree or In rare casez
course Of study similar TO that FOR Sbicb ,L
degree Is given. shall be necessary IN the anDont
bic This is our doctrine and to il we cprnrnir
ourselves ana we shall stand by it until IL has
stand as the policy Of the college.
President Finley at the last spoke briefly.
saying in part:
It is hard 10 speak lust the right VOID vba, CO
many many may az. be- spoken But the word which
as mental quality. but II is after ali a quality
o. m Al : heart It sends man out alone 10
IN the college has no. bred in yor. Something Uf
THIS spirit. then it has been little avail If II has
steamboat you must stIfe the instinct OF SELF
preservation and go 70 the help of those unable
ttc-p themselves, then you have gained little.
Courage is needed to lead simple and unostenta-
wealth to lead honest lives amid the temptations
OF dishonesty; Il requires courage TO lead clean
YOU - you 60 forth: Nou debtors TO lie
Sl{ E yoq are rs heirs. Democracy has given you
You have reerived the best gifts OF one genera
, 10 ahotheI. Lh1 best way to e9uallze the in
courage 70 do The things You have learned There
frntt TN, I f OF men VINO carnot tel the
the second that which is prevented by sehshress
KNOWS the truth and would tell il but does not