The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-02-03
v. Y. 0. IEH BANQUET.
Western Pennsylvania Alumni
Association at Union Club.
Congressman Bzyisa Principal speak
er-Had Little to Say on Public
Aflairs-Cellege Rsniniscssses-Le.
cal AInmni In Attendance.

cal Ainmnt IN Attendanefs
Representative Aston Gordon
Dayton, the distinguished West Vir-
ginia member of Congress, leading
member of the Committee on Naval
Affairs, was the principal speaker
and guest Of honor at the meeting Of
the West Virgins University Club
of Western Pennsylvania Saturday
evening At the Union club, Pitts
burg. Mr.. Dayton was graduated
from the University in 1876.
College "reminiscences and tales of
the University before 1t reached its
present important position, occupied
the greater part OF Mr.. Dayton's
address. Public affairs he avoided,
with the excuse that with such mat
tiers he came into daily contact so
much that relief was found ia turn
ing to the college days.
In the course of conversation,
however, Mr.. Dayton referred to the
improvement of the navigable streams
of this section and was asked about
the upper Monongahela. He gave it
as his opinion that B. d O.'s Fair
mont bridge should be raised, but
that the height asked by the river
interests was excessive and that q
com promise should be made.
Congressman Dayton spoke for
over an hour. Beginning with the
day he left the University, Cengres-
man Dayton said:
six of us graduates departed
from the cid familiar scenes about
College Hill and the memories fresh
IN cur minds Of the University clubs
and debating societies; we were de-
termined to make our marks In the
world, and we have succeeded. Each
of US has gone separate path, but
we have accomplished that which We
set out to do. We found when We
went cut into the big world, however
that things were entirely different
from what we had expected. You
may or you NAV not know that with
me it was struggle at college.
remember when l graduated, j owed
two years's tuition, and that was the
most solemn obligation of my life
That was some rs years ago, and as
/ had adopted the law as u profession
remember my first experience in a
court of justice with that two years
debt of a five-years' college course
staring me in the face. also re
membe the cold-hearted manner Of
the attorneys on the other side, as
started to plead NY case. There il
no need here to mention rames, al
the principal counsel is now dead
1t was bitter trial, but surmount
ed it. The law was my chosen pro
fession and l made up my mind t.
surmount all obstacles. The first
fee / received was for trying a cast
before justice of the peace aftel
having made 12-mile ride. l lost
the case and for my services re
ceived a note calling for so so; the
note / still retain. Later my frs
court case brought me nste for $l2
that also l still have 10 my posses
sion"
For ten years Congressman Day
ton has represented the Second Con
gressional district of this State in
the House.
Major j. M. Lee, of the Pittsbure
academy, President of the Associa
ton and classmate of Mr.. Dayton
at the University, was POSTMASTER
Following Mr.. Dayton's addres,
there we're talks by several othel
members OF the club. About forty
alumni were present.
Among the guests were Prof. G
r. Jones, head of the mechanics
and electrical engineering depart
ments of the University; Editor
Justin N. Kunkle, of the New Do
MIHIoN; S. F. Glasscock, B. s. White
and w. L. Six, of Morgantown; A
B. McCrum, of Kingwood, and I. S
Brown, OF Pittaburg.
The officers of the club are: Pres
ident, Mai. j. M. Lee; vice presi-
dent, G. G. Lewis; Secretary and
Treasurer, w. J. Bruncr.