The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-15
(By the Associated Press


(By the Associated Press.)
Charlottesville, Va, April 13.-In
the eightieth year of it's career and on
the anniversary of the birth of Thomas
jefferson, it's illustrious founder, the
University of Virginia today inaugu-
rated its first president, DIR. Edwin
Anderson Alderman.
The simple ceremony was
impressive. 1t combined the
university spirit in the enthusiasm
of a student body of seven hundred
and an alumni a thousand strong with
the dignity of capped, gowned and
hooded men, the educational leaders
of South, North, East and West. Of
ficials of the nation and State and dis
tinguished citizens from many sections
added to the presence. The inaugural
procession through the center of the
lawn from the rotunda to the hall, in
the balmyl air and bright sun of the
spring afternoon; a prayer, the oath
of office, a brief acceptance of the
trust. and number of speeches which
filled three hours of enthusiastic
interest, clmaxed by an inspiring ad-
dress by President Alderman and the
installation was accomplished. Then
was released the rollicking spirit of the
alumni and the student. They all
Joined in the torchlight procession
which at O'Clock led to the rotunda
and the banquet tables. Here the
sterner side of the educational CHAR
acter gave way to fraternity, and good
fellowship and long did the ancient
10 nn111ISn
at the shafts of wit and piquancy OF
phrase.
AmongA the many representa-
tives of educational and scienticfic
societies aid of the learned professions
present were:
Conway, George Foster Peabody, DR..
Albert Shaw, Edward NJ. Shepard,
DIR. Melville E. Stone. Prof Francis
&c. Peabody, of Harvard; President
Nicholas Murray Butler. of Columbia;
Hon. George G.. Benedict, OF the Uni
versity of Vermont; President Charles
w. Needham, George Washington
University, Washington; President
James B. Angel, University of Michi-
gan; Dean H. II. Bledler, Baltimore,
University School of Medicine; Presi-
dent r. B. Frissell. Hampton Institute,
President l.. Clark SasIye, Smith Col
lege; Dean Albion w. Small, Univer-
sity of Chicago; Carter Glass. Joseph
Bryan and President Robert Curtis Og
den, of the Southern Educational
Board.
"Details of Installation.
At o'clock when the assemblage
had placed itself in the public hall of
the University Rev. r. d. Smith, of
Norfolk, pronounced an invocation on
the institution in its new aspirations
and undertakings.
The installation ceremony was at
once accomplished by the rector of the
institution. Rev. Charles z. Jones, of
Monterey, Va, who announced that a
growing public sentiment in favor of
a change in the government of the uni
versity had caused the general assem-
bly, of the commonwealth to impose
upon the rector and visitors as the gov
erning body, the duty of electing a
president. 1t had he said, concluded
this duty after patient and anxious
thought by electing DIR. Edwin Ander-
son Alderman.
at only means for me-" he con-
cluded, turning to President AldeEman,
''acting for the board of visitors, to
declare you to be the president of the
University of Virginia, to deliver you
its charter and to pledge to you the
hearties support that the board of Wis
itors can give YOU" The oath of Of
fee was administered.
DIR. Alderman Accepts.
In accepting the office President AL
derman said:
II accept the presidency of the Uni
versity, Mr.. Rector. with humility and
yet with pride. Sustained and
strengthened by the counsel and CO.
operation of the board of visitors of
my colleagues of the faculty, of the
sons of the university, and of good
citizens everywhere. | undertake this
task with hope and courage. To obey
It's statutes; to respect its ancient spir-
its; to maintain its lofty ideals; to
seek with patience the laws of its
growth: to give to its service with
gladness whatever strength / have,
this 1 shall seek to do. BY God5s help
WILL"
Not an opportunity had been lost to
applaud DR.. Alderman and when he
concluded his words of acceptance,
cheer upon cheer rang out from the
students in the galleries. while those
in the pit of the large hall applauded
long.
Speech of Montague.
Governor Montague followed and
spoke for the State and her institu-
tions. He said:
in the stir of expectancy with
which we look in the fu-
ture, we cannot forget the deeds and