New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-28
FAMOUS SONS OF BROWN.
Governors of Three States Expected
to attend Commencement.

Providence, April 27.-What promises to be
remarkable commencement is being planned by
Brown University. for among the alumni com
tng from all over the country to attend ii in
June il is expected there will be three governors
Governor Hughes of New York Governor
Stokes Of New Jersey and Governor Higgins Of
Rhode Island. No other American college. it is
believed. has ever had three graduates occupy
ing governors chairs at the same time.
Although no Brown has yet been elected
head Of the nation the university boasts Of tho
create st trio Of Cabinet statesmen enrolled IN
one college namely. William l.. Marcy. Of thu
class Of OS who Secretary Of State under
Pierce. Richard Olney. Secretary Of State under
president Cleveland, and John Hay. who was
Secretary OF state under Mckinley and Roose-
Scit.
Governor Hughes entered Brown in the sopho
more class in 1873 and graduated IN 1851
IL had spent two years at Colgate. then called
Madison University. bat he wanted TO live in
larger world and he came To Brown Cover
nor Hughes has been claimed By no less Than
four colleges. for after leaving Brown ne stud
led law at Columbia University and later H.
taught law for "A while al Cornell But his alma
mater is Brown and in Brown his SON Charles
Evans Hughes jr. is now a student, In fact.
the Governors son lives in the same han in
which his father lived, though not in the same
room.
Governor Stokes who IS Philadelphia by
birth. came TO the university with reputation
for scholarship which he had made at the
Friends School in this city. Quaker institu-
ton He was graduated from Brown in the
class Of SO.
Governor Higgins. who graduated in
the class Of '9S and who is the youngest chief
Executive ever elected in Rhode Island, tells
the following story, which shows not only how
he came to enter Brown but explains how
through its Hbcrality the university has always
had special attractions for ambitious hard
working students:
Twelve years ago last June certain young
man graduated from high school in Rhode Isl
and He was anxious TO secure a college educa-
ton. bat his means were scant and Inadequate.
Early in the following July he addressed let
ter to President Andrews, stating the facts in
his case The most the young man had hoped
for was some advice as to how to get through
Brown Within a few days letter came back
from Dr. Andrews, saying: Come in and reg
lister at the opening Of college in September. and
l will see that your tuition is cut in half That
concession continued through the four years OF
the college term, was very material factor in
aiding the young man TO get a Brown UniVer-
sity training After commencement day, four
years later the young walked into the
presidents house, at the corner OF Prospect and
College streets, in Providence. and thanked him
for his assistance. The young man was your
humble servant. and in view of the above facts
] want TO ask you. my fellow Brown men, If
you think it the slightest bit strange that feel
a special joy at every mention of Andrewss
name and particularly grateful pride at every
thought of old Brunonia?"