New-York tribune., 1909-11-11
TRUMAN JAY BACKUS. IL d
PRINCIPAL Of Packer Collegiate Institute.
lsS3-IgaS
Teacher OF Truth and Helper Of Mankind

The tablet was erected in the library OF
the institute. which was crowded when
the exercises began at o'clock with men
and women socially prominent In Brook
Iyn. Members Of the graduating class, IN
their black caps and gowns, acted as
ushers. and there was singing by the stu
dents giee club at the beginning and
closing Of the exercises. Frank l. Bah
bott vice-president of the institution, was
chosen chairman Grouped about him In
front Of the room were the sculptor, Mr.
BorgIum: Dr. Edwin ]. Goodwin, who sue
ceeded Dr. Backus as principal OF the in
stitute. and the other speakers Miss
Flva Zabriskie. president OF the senior
class. and Miss Florence MorrisOns the
vice-president unveiled the tablet by low
ering an American flag which had been
draped over IT from the ceiling.
The principal address OF the occasion
was made by Or. McKelway. II would Dr.
Goodwin had spoken about DR.. Backus,'
he said. instead of having the committee
select me 20 do so. The doctor is the
successor Of DR.. Backus in the presidency
of Packer Institute There was a like
ness OF views and an unlikeness OF tenn
perament between them. much as the case
is between Theodore Roosevelt and Will
battery personihed when propounding
propositions or attacking conditions. DIR.
Goodwin is a hypoder~ic expert in the art
Of subcutaneOus suggestion and interfu-
sion" Dr. McKelway continued:
1t is a beautiful fact that the institute
we'll as Or. Backus Is commemorated
by this memorial The education of wO-
men Is the theme OF this occasion The
Packer Institute. as the force which long
E.an sad hEr ha n in
and for the young women OF Brooklyn. Is
the school which draws honor from this
occasion l am glad that this Is so and
that not only the founders OF the Packer.
through their Incl representatives but
also the fOrwarders Of the Packer, are
gathered about and around US this after
The institute. as Dr. Backus received il.
great. The institute. as Dr. Backus
transmitted II, was greater. His predeces-
sor. DR. Crittendon, was advised and sus-
tained bv the trustees. The trustees were
sustained. interpreted and inspired by Dr.
f3ackus. He was quick 10 catch their
spirit II he was spur and they at times
were brake, the resultant progress was
steady and with a minimum OF jar or mis-
The tears OF memory. the inspiration OF
co-service the fellowship OF confidence and
OF US. Those who knew him best loved
him most, and they have united in this
mutual tribute 20 his worth and work.
These halls should always recall him
These hearts can never forget him.
Among those present were E NJ. Bassett.
a Public Service commissioner: Mrs Cor
nelius Zabriskie. Mr.. and Mrs. r. c. Z.
Brown. the Rev. Dr. L. Mason Clarke.
Colonel Willis l. ogden. Alexander Z.
Orr Raymond B. Backus. Mr. and Mrs.
GrosvenOr II. Backus Mrs William H.
Packer. Miss Packer. Edward NJ Shepard.
Mr.. and Mrs John d. snedeker. Churchill
r. Cutting. Miss Cutting. DR.. and Mrs. H.
c. Riggs. Dr. F. ". Atchison. president OF
the Polytechnic Institute: James McKeen.
Miss Helen Dawes Brown. George P. Lud-
lam and Dr. r L. Dickinson. Letters were
read from President Taylor OF Vassar, DR..
Maxwell. Superintendent OF Education OF
this city. and Dean Russell. OF Teach
ers College.