The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-10-10

CEREMONY OF DEDICATION
An Academic Festival in Honor
Of important Occasion

Houston. Tex, Oct. l0.-The great
The formal inauguration and dedica-
tion of the William NJ. Rice Institute
of Liberal and Technical Learning be-
gan here today under the most au-
spicious conditions and in the presence
of large gathering Of educators and
students from all parts Of the world.
The festival Is planned to extend over
! four days and will close on Sunday
with a special sermon in the Munici-
pal Auditorium. following the return
of the guests from visit to Calves
| ton. The program of the opening day
| includes an informal breakfast at the
Hotel Bender, Municipal luncheon
at the City Auditorium, a garden party
| in the Academic Court OF the Insti.u-
te, "a reception rendered by Mr.. and
| Mrs. James A. Baker and number
of inaugural lectures by distinguished
scientists from various parts of the
world, at the Institute and at the Ma
jestic theatre.
Many Noted Men Present.
Probably never before, i'm the his
tory OF this country. has the inaugura-
tion of a new institution Of learning
been marked by so large a gathering
of famous men of science and a serses
of inaugural lectures of equal import
ance. as the opening and dedication of
the William NJ. Rice Institute. founded
with the millions left by the late VIII
liam M. Rice. Il former citizen Of Hors-
ton. who was murdered In New Yorl,
City on September 23, 1900. The list
Of lectures scheduled on the programs
for the inauguration exercises includes
such by Professor Rafael Altamiray
Crevea of Madrid; Prof. Emile Bore
| of Paris; Senator Benedetto Croce of
Naples Prof. Hugo de Vries of Am
sterdam: Prof. Sir Henry Jones OF
Glasgow Privy Councillor Baron Dai.
roku Kikuchi Of Toxic: Prof John
| William Mackall of London; Privy
Councillor Prof. Wilhelm Ostwald of
additions are bound to come.
Gross Bothen, Germany; Prof. Henri
Poincare of Paris: Prof. Sir William
Ramsay r. C. II. of Londor; Prof.
Vito Volterra of Rome and several
other distinguished scientists.
William n. Marsh, whose name will
be perpetuated by this great institu-
ton of learning, was formerly resi-
dent Of Houston. lie made a great
fortune in this state and, recognizing
! the educational needs Of this section
Of the south, he conceived the plan of
tute in this city. More than ten years
before his death Mr.. Rice laid the
foundation for his plan, which, at first,
contemplated merely training school
with an endowment of 100000. As he
/ elaborated his plans. he became more
and more interested in the subject and
added to the proposed endowment. un-
til a short time before his removal to
New York, he made will belueathing
practically his entire fortune TO the in
stitute.
i Incorporated Years Ago.
The Rice Institute was Incorporated
in 1891 as the William M. Rice Insti-
science and art. under a liberal chart
er granting self-perpetuating board
Of seven life trustees. great freedom
in the subsequent organization Of a
non political and non-sectarian edu-
cational institution in the city Of
Houston Tex. At present this board
of trustees consists of the following
members: James Addison Baker
lchalrman; James Everett McAshan.
vice chairman; Manuel Raphael. Sec
retary; Benjamin Bolts Rice. treasur
er; william Marsh Rice. Jr., Caesar
Maurice Lombardi and Edgar Odell
Lovett, who is also the head Of the
faculty.
II At the expressed wish of the founder
!. the elaboration of his plans and their
practical execution was not under
ltaken In his life time. His death In
!. New York City, in 1900. under myster-
ious circumstances. caused great
/ sensation. After a through investiga-
, ton Albert T. Patrick. lawyer OF
!, New York. who had had professional
dealings with Mr.. Rice. was arrested
ON the charge Of having murdered the
aged philanthropist, with the ultimate
object of obtaining possession OF the
/ fortune ut by the latter. After sen
, sational trial Patrick was found guilt,
land sentenced to death. The condem-
/. lined man then began determined
/ struggle for life and liberty unparal
, ieled In the history of American courts
Using every legal weapon Of defens'
] that his ingenuity could find available
r Patrick fought his case through cour
3 after court. until his death sentence
Twas commuted. Even then lie did no