The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-02-14
UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT.
Orator Will be Representative Bou-
tell of IllinoiS-Efforts 10 Organize
Baseball League
IT. T. Pence in Raleigh Post.

IT. J. Pence in Raleigh Post)
Washington, D. c., February 9.-Rap-
resentative Henry S. Boutell of Illinois
who made the notable speech in -<ew
York last week, urging the Republican
party 10 Permit The south to solve and
settle it's own peculiar problems, viii
deliver the commencement address at
the University of North, Carolina tins
year. The invitation was extended to-
day by Senator Overman and DR.. Ven
able, the president of the university, IN
behalf of the entire delegation, who
called on the distinguished representa-
tive from Chicago at his committee
room in the capitol. Mr.. Boutell had
completed arrangements to sail with
his family for Europe few days i'll
advance of the commencement occa-
Si,n, ana it was "ith much reluctance
he consented to consider a change in
this program. After he had listened 10
the persuasive appeals of the Carolin-
ians, however, he said resistance was
useless. Had the invitation come
through an individual it would have
been promptly, but respectfully declin-
ed" said Mr.. Boutell, but, coming as
it does, from all the representatives OF
a sovereign state, 1 can't we'll refuse
Mr. Bouten is one of the scholarly
members of the House. He is a grad
uate of Harvard and also of the North
western University. Since he became
member Of the House he has taken
prominent part in national affairs. The
kindly feeling entertained by him
towards southern people has made him
especially we'll liked by southerners in
Congress. His speech in New York
last week appealed more strongly TO
southern sentiment than any utterance
from a national Republican since Pres
ident McKinley's famous speech in At
lanta.
Ted Sullivan, the we'll known base
ball organizer, has received within the
past few days number of letters urS-
ing him to proceed with the organiza-
tion of a Virginia. North Carolina base
ball league. Mr.. Sullivan had letters
today from Lynchburg and Roanoke
assuring him that those two clties
would enter a league, and requesting
that he proceed to North Carolina for
the purpose Of comforting with base
ball enthusiasts in the cities in that
state. It is more than probable mat
Mr.. Sullivan will make a trip in the
next few days, visiting Raleigh, Char
lOtte Greensboro and Winston-Salem
though he is waiting to hear from sew
eral parties before reaching a final de-
cision.
The letters / have received the past
few days. said MIR. Sullivan tonight,
lead me to believe that the time Is
ripe for the organization of bi-state
league. The best circuit suggested so
far includes Roaoke, Lynchburg,
Greensboro. Winston, Charlotte ana
Raleigh. Other cities have been sus-
gested-Richmond, Norfolk, Peters
burg, Danville, Durham and Winning
ton being among the number 1t Wont
be impossible to say now what cit es
should compose the league. What
hope to do is to get on the scene an3
look the situation over. If the people
of those cities want baseball they can
have it. I ami waiting to hear from
the North Carolina points before pro
ceeding with the organization. 1t will
be best to secure cities that have packs.
though it is not too late to build IL
necessary. The league can be organ
lied in time to open the season May
1st, which would be early enough"