The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-13
GOVERNOR O'NEAL
 THE CHIEF SPEAKER
Banquet Notable One From Viewpoint of Speakers Who Are Enthusias- tic Over Brilliant Future of
 University of Alabama

the university entertained him at ban auet at the Exchange hotel. The cele- bration was 8 memorable one in view of the fact that some of the states fore most citizens attended the banquet, and added materially to the enjoyment of the occasion by their vivacious remarks and contagious wit. The toastnaster for the occasion was Maj. R. E. Steiner, one of the foremost lawyers of Alabama.
 pr. Denny early this year accepted the presidency of the university, succeeding pr. John w. Abercrombie, who is now making the race for congressman at large Dr. Denny came to Alabama from the Washington and Lee university at Lexington, Va, an institution which he largely built up by his indefatigable ef- forts and conscientious labors. He has already taken active charge of the Ala bama institution, but since his stay in this state las been kept busy attending banauets and acting as guest of honor.
 Tonights banquet was notable one from the viewpoint of speakers. Gov. Emmet O'Neal, one of the invited guests, made the chief address of the evening, outside the address of Dr. George Il. Denny, wbo responded to the numerous pleasant references made regarding ms ability. Other speakers of the evening were Hubert T. Davis of Fort Davis, representing the university board of trustees: pr. Charles H. Barnwell, dean of the university faculty; Tyler Good wyn. president of the Alumni associa- ton of the university; pr. C. c. Thach, president of the Alabama Polytechnic institute and several others. All of the speakers were enthusiastic over the brilliant future of the university, an ticipating for it under the Denny regime one of the most successful ad- ministrations in the history of any southern college.
 There were present about 15O alumni and invited guests.
 The text of pr. Denny's speech fol- lows:
 President Denny began his address by expressing high appreciation of the great welcome that had been given him to his new task of summoning the people of this commonwealth to their supreme duty to the chief instrument of intellectual and spiritual power in Alabama-the Univer- sity of Alabama.
 He declared that, in the long run, the relative standing of this commonwealth in the sisterhood of American states will be determined not by the census, nor by the size of it's cities, nor it's crops, but by the kind of men it shall turn out. There can be no doubt that there is need t,.l,r do of leaders to develop our forests and fields and mines But there is even greater need to build ilp a majestic seat of learning that shall guarantee sound type of per sonal culture, of social efficiency and of intelligent vigor
 President Denny said that he knew something of the storms and struggles that had periodically entered into the his tory of the University of Alabama. Yet, he declared, 'I also know that it has weathered each historic danger that mas hitherto marked it's progress forward un- til today, after all it's discipline and all it's trials. it stands serene and confident upon its mount of faith and opportunity. Y,
 Then was begun an exhaustive discus sion of the needs of the University Of Alabama. He said that there had been remarkable progress in many ways. Yet the institution sorely needs an adequate maintenance fund. The erection of the new buildings had greatly overtaxed the already inadequate income. It costs to maintain a great material plant. It Is the duty of the state to understand it's state university, to study it's needs and to fit it adequately to do it's full duty.
 President Denny sounded a warning. however that there is always danger ot putting too large an emphasis upon the material side of things. 'Everywhere and all the time let us put manhood first, and the almighty dollar second" Yet it re- mains that sound training costs money. Great teachers, adequate laboratory and library facilities and respectable living conditions demand reasonable appropria- tions.
 ''It is a fact" he said, that the ap- propriations for the maintenance of the University of Alabama are today far be- low the average appropriations made tc other state universities, even including states that are not in the same class with Alabama from the point of view of wealth and population" Couiparatively few people seem to know that tue state colleges of agriculture and the mechanic arts. like Auburn. Clemson and others have, in addition to state aid (whlah in | most states is far less than the aid gireu | the State university, large annual appfo | priatlons from the national government
 and that for this reason their task is | not so difficult. The people of this state
 should study carefully through impartia experts the needs. the incomes, the bud gets and the standards of their tax sup.
 ported institutions of learning A thorough | knowledge of the real facts can do nc harm. The people are entitled to know l the facts. They should inquire through
 experts whether or not the Alabama plar of developing higher education is sound
 and in accordance with modern ideas Is
 there not too much overlapping and duplication of work?
 | We should. by careful study of the sys. tems of education in other progressive | states. ascertain just what work should i be done, and is being done, by the State university and just what work should | be done, and is being done, by the other 1 tax supported colleges in the same state | Will the people of Alabama be content tt | fall behind in the race simply because we will not take the pains to ascertain l the exact policy which the experience oi other great states has commended as wise, sound and economical? Shall we stand before the world exhibiting an iso
 lated policy peculiar to ourselves2 Greater University"
 l President Denny then discussed the pol l icy of Greater University" He made l it clear that the first great duty of tho l commonwealth is to firmly establish z great college, with modern equipment ant modern standards. There is" said he mot single great university south o | Johns Hopkins. in the moderw sense O. that term. Time will come when Ala. bama will have such an institution. bu l 1t will come far sooner if We frankly 1 announce to the world that hitherto w haye neglected ths great duty. and tha