The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-29
IELKS, ABERCROMBIE, HILL
 WELCOME THE VISITORS
Day Began With Academic Procession On Ahe Historic Campus-Con-
 lressman Towne Will
 & Speak Today.
BY PAUL COOK.

Tuscaloosa, May &.-(Special. )-Today programme, which was brought to close by the presidents reception tonight, was lerhaps the most eventful of the seventy nth anniversary celebration of the Uni versity . labama.
 Nevera41s Ore in the history of the state have so many distinguished faculty men been assembled at one time within her borders Men prominent in college cir cles from all parts of the United States were present to take part in the eXer- cses for today.
 Towne Will Speak Today.
 Tomorrow will be another notable day, as Congressman Charles A. Towne of New York will deliver an address to the alumni in Clark hall at Il a. m. Previous to this address the alumni will hold their annual meeting, at which it is rumored important business will be transacted. The alumni banquet will take place at 1 D. m. in the University mess hall baseball game at 4 alumni debate in Clark hall at S:1O D. m and class reunions at 10 D. m.
 Congressman Towne telegraphed P l. dent Abercrombe that he was still not well, but would be on hand to fill his en- gagement MT. Towne, accompanied by Congressman Bowie, will probably arrive tonight.
 '' Governor Jelks is quartered at the uni versity during commencement.
 Begins With Acade.nlc Prccesslon.
 The second day of the seventy fifth an- niversary celebration of the University of Alabama was begun with the academic procession this morning at 95 o'clock bose participating were visiting educa- tors, members of the board f trustees and faculty men of the state university. The parade was formed before the main entrance to Clark hall, after which those taking part marched into the auditorium where a, welcome to visiting representa- tives of other institutions was extended and replies were made.
 The exercises were opened with an in- vocation by Dr. E. F. Buckner of the uni- versity after which President John W. Abercrombie delivered a welcome address to the visitors on be.-elf of the Universi- ty of Alabama pr. Abercrombe gave some interesting data concerning the growth and resources of the university. His address was as follows
 pr. Abercrombie Speaks.
 "lt is with no ordinary pleasure that I enter upon a performance of the duty as- signed me in the beginning of the pro gramme for today, for 1t falls to the lot or few men to preside over the anniversary exercises of an institution so full of years. Like beacon it has shone.
 "This celebration marks the close Of three-quarters of century of glorious achievement. Here for seventy-ffve years, with brief Interruption the torch of learn Ing has burned brilliantly. In uplifted hands it has been held.
 y',The history of the University of Ala Z ana is coeval with the history of the tate of Alabama. Indeed, the universi- tvs growth and the states development are so closely related, so completely in- terwoven, that 1t Is difficult to consider them separately.
 Provided for in 1819.p
 "The university was provided for in 1s19 by the act of Congress which admit d Alabama into the Union of states. By that enactment a donation of seventytwo sections of land was made for the endow- ment of seminary of learning. In De- cember 1920, the general assembly passed an act establishing a seminary of learn Ing, to be denominated the University of Alabama The first meeting of the board of trustees was held in April, 1922 In December, 1927, Tuscaloosa, then the cap ital of the state, was selected for the sect. of the university. The site upon I.nich to erect the buildings, the present site which comprises three hundred acres, was selected in March, 1928.
 "The inauguration of the first president Rev Ava Woods D. D. took place in April, 1881. Fifty-two students were mat riculated on the first day of the first ses- sion. Progress was unhindered to the mighty conflict of the sixties. Near the
 +Nttu r#r rrrrxlA f1aA material equipment fell victim to the ravages of war. In April, 1865, body of Federal cavalry, who had been dispatched for the purpose, set fire to and destroyed completely all of the seven college build Ings, except the astronomical observatory The erection of new buildings was begun in January, 1S67 and the work of instruc- ton was resumed in April.
 'In restitution for this loss by fire, Congress made in 1884 another donation of lands, equalling the first grant in num- Ter of acres With the proceeds from the sale of part of this second donation most. of the present buildings were erected.
 ..The management of the university is vested in a board of trustees consisting of the governor and state superintendent of education, ex -offcio, and one member from each of the min congressional dis tricts, except this district, which has two members. The board of trustees is self perpetuating body. election to mem bership therein being subject to confirma tion by the state senate.
 Officers of Institution
 .'Of officers of instruction and govern ment there are thirty-four. The academic engineering and law departments are To- cated here, while the department of medi- cine and pharmacy at Mobile. The enrolment for the current session is 491 ;