The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-02
AUBURN MEN ARE REVIEWED Governor Conner and Staff Present. TRUSTEES HOLD MEETING President Thaeh Reports on Years
 Work. Fine on Painting of Joel Hsmiter is Presented and orations of the
 Juniors Are Deiiy-
 cred.
HOLD MEETING
RY cHARLEs .. HARoLp.


 Auburn, June 1.--(special.)-com mencement went into full swing today with a program full of dash and the true Auburn spirit.
 Such a variety of exercises with such large crowds has perhaps never been witnessed by Monday in the previous history of the Alabama Polytechnic In- stitute
 The signal for activity on all sides was the arrival of Governor Conner and a portion of his staff on the morning train at s:30 o'clock. He was met at. the train by the entire battalion of ca dets under command of Colonel B. s. Patrick, commandant, and by the crack college band under the leadership of ALI. Tn onnas. a
 From the depot up the hill for few blocks the battalion in column of conn- panies. preceded by the band, marched in front of the Governors carriage and the carriages containing the majority of the trustees of Auburn who arrived on the morning train.
 The Governor and stan and trustees were hurried to thei offlce of President Thach where arrangements were im- niedIately made for the trustees to go into executive session.
 Conner Reviews Cadets.
 The afternoon was full of pomp and entertainment. After an hour of open air concerts by the cadet band. there was a continuation of military display when at o'clock the battalion went into, the review by the Governor and his stan. The cadets acquitted them- selves famously. True, the ranks of the companies were sonaewhat difnin- fshed by the boys early departure for home after examinations but there were perhaps 800 in the review.
 Facing the line of march on the south stde of the drill ground, the Cow . srnor stood, thanked by the members of tiis stan a few paces to the rear Not .., All the stan wefe in the city, Those present weFAs Adjutant General BtbbI ; Graves. Colonel R. A. Mitchell, Colo slel T. D. Knight, General R F. Ldgons Colonel E., Fl. Graves, Colonel Floyd B. Rowell and: Colonel LaslIe. All the ev- olutions incident to battalion review were carried out by the gray uniform cd boys, and the praise of their display on all sides was common among the visitors. including the members of the stan. The march was to the music of the band
 The rnorning program was full of in terest. It embraced the orations of the Juniors and the formal exercises of un- yelling the oil painting of Joel Hani- ter. the revered donor to the East Ala barna Male College. At the same time
  also given marble tablet in memory of Julia Hamiter. . daughter of the distinguished philanthropist of the South ern ante bellum type. This cer. erIony awalx ened memories of early Auburn days In a way that has not been approached in. previous com Tnencements Of the Alabama Polytech- nic Institute.
 Col. Graves Speaks.
 The. presentation speech was made by Col. D. H. Graves. a descendant of Joel Hamiter. both of whom were born in Barbour County. Colonel Graves used but few words, but well chosen in his presentation of the painting The gift was made on behalf of the entire line of descendants of the great donor, including Mrs. Graves. Mrs. Barr, the latter granddaughters of the man of the ffties.
 The response by President Thach on behalf of the college was one of deep emotion. Dr. Thach expressed forci- bly, the meaning of the occasion. He said that all who love Auburn ought to appreciate the valuable work of our forefathers in the founding of what afterwards has become the great in- stitution of today.
 Joel Hamiter was typical of the spirit of Iiberality towards education in the ante-bellum times of the South, which was manifesting itself in frequent en- dowments of her institutions. He founded the chair of natural science in the old East Alabama Male College a Methodist institution which in 1872 became the Agricultural and Mechan- ical College of Alabama, whose name was changed more recently to that of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
 t'We are reminded by this contribu- ton to our parent college" said pr, Thach. "that there was a real spirit of muntficence and gNierosity among the Southerners before the war. In- deed, no man can say that there has not always been such a spirit in the South commensurate with her wealth and resources. It was clearly begin ming to show itself, this spirit of lib- eraiity, in those prosperous days of the South. in 1856, 1857 and 1858. W
 we are indeed proud of this occa- sion which is to receive this painting of a man who founded the chair of nat uraI science. For that was the chair from which afterwards sprang all the important branches of science and arts that make up our present-day institu- tion.
 Occupants of Chair.
 The President told of the first and second occupants of the old chair of natural science. They were James Darby and w c. Stubbs. who after wards exerted their powerful influence in scientific education of the South. The painting of Joel Hamiter will be hung in the main hall of the new college library when 1t has been completed and the tablet In memory to his daugh- fer will be imbedded in the main col lege building.
 The collection of orations by the chosen members of the Junior Class called forth heavy individual applause and there is no doubt that the judges wIil fnd trouble in determining the awards. The general excellence of these orations. showing as they do the effective training methods of the col ieze, explain the pronounced success of Auburn,s representatives In inter collegiate contests, both of debate and oratory The speakers are developed by the literary societies. the Wirt and the websterian, as we'll as by special training of the English professors
 The orations. with their speakers. were as follows: