The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-29

many years afterwards Congress open ed the way to the present greatness of the fnstitLtion which has remained the pride of Alabama.
 The year which closed with famous Commencement of last May was the most notable, in her history. It was notable for one thing because the ate tendance was the largest in the long history of the institution. Never be- fore were there 50 many students in attendance. It was notably. too, be- cause of the increased efficiency of the Univsrsity's teaching faculty. Em- inent at all periods of it's history the University has today perhaps the best and most eficient corps Of instructors that ever brought fame to Aiabamas noted seat of learning.
 The NetabIe YeRx.
 But the year was most notable by reason of the great gathering which assembled at the University during the May Commencement Exercises to pay tribute 10 the great educative force the University represented and to ac- knowledge its splendid contribution to the educated and trained citizenship of Alabama. These tommenceMent ex- ercises were not notable clone In the presence Of so many famous educators who came to Tuscaloosa for the ex- ercfses. but as well in the gathering of distinguished A1abamians who had received their training and build their character within her walls
 In recent years the University has been brought into close relation and sympathy with the educational system of Alabama particularly with the pub lie schools of the State. It has now become what the law intended it should become, a part Of the rnblic school system of the State. It might be truth fully said that the University has be- come the head of the public school sys- tena of Aiaharia closer organic corr nection between the work of the Unl-
 versity and the work of the pubic
 schools is already chdractcrszing the development of the cdacationaI system of Alabama This in no little measure Is duo to the energy, the ability and the devotion of President John W. Abercrombie. whose services for the pu5lic schools of Alabama have been second to those of no man. pr. Abercrombie drafted and introduced In the legislature most of those measures which have wrought so great reform | In Aiabama's educational system. And as Superintendent of Education ne was called upon to administer the laws which he drafted and during his ad- ministrafion the public schools or the | State advanced more rapidly and mora steadily than they had at any time during their history.
 The unfversfty Position. l The capacity which brought about such a great reform fin the States sys- | tenn of common schools has been no | less sucsessfui la it's efforts for the 1 University of Alabama, the true head If the states educational system. The 1 snrollment of the University has stead | iIy increased with each year until the term last year sbroke all previous rec lords. The increased attendance mas been no less marked than the eminence l,of the faculty at the University. 1 No notice of the University, however brief is complete without word oi l tribute being paid to Dr. Eugene A Smith for his splendid work in the I development of the unparalleled re sources of Alabama. He first of all drew attention to these undeveiopeo | resources and upon his careful and scholarly repcits a great deal of tht kdeveiooment of the mineral district ol | inc state has been built as basis Tn his department the University is I nerhaps the finest geological collection of any modern college.