Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-06
TRIBUTE TO WOMAN
BY IOWA SENATOR
Mr.. Cummins Regards Denial
of Equal Rights to Sex
as Arrogance.
DELIVERS AN ADDRESS
GUESTS AT BANQUET
Washington College of Law Subject
of Eulogy by Speakers-Its
Founders Toasted.

| Hearty championship of equal rights
| for women and gloriication of the
integrity of the legal profession fea-
tured the address of Senator Albert b.
Cummins of Iowa at the banquet in
celebration of the twentieth birthday
of the Washington College of Law at
Rauscher's last night.
That wherever men and women are
found speaking on one occasion the
women carry off the honors and that 1t
is supreme assumption and arrogance
for man to refuse woman the right to
share with him the responsibilities OF
government was Senator Cummins
contribution in favor of equal suffrage.
That in all his experience of twenty
five years of legal practice he has
never seen but one man who proved
false to the case he was handling or
the client he was employed to serve
was stated by Senator Cummins as the
highest compliment that could be paid
to the practice of law. He argued that
the underlying principles of the pro-
fession are responsible for this high
percentage in integrity.
Says Law Broadens Comprehension.
He advised that while all of those
now studying law at the Washington
College might not practice it-com-
menting that perhaps it would be bet
ter for many of them not to practice
it-they would find its greatest value
in widening and broadening their COM
prehension. He said he is coming to
feel that no man is fitted for business
or for any other profession without
general acquaintance with the prin-
ciples of law.
Senator Cummins paid high compli-
ment to Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, hon
orary dean of the college, and Miss Emma
NJ. Giliett, the dean. who were CO.
organizers of the college. He said their
accomplishment is the finest example of
courage, patience and faithful service that
has ever come under his observation.
The banquet was in charge of the
junior class and called together most
Of the 14s students and faculty and
scores of alumni. Much credit for the
success of the affair was given to Miss
Lillian Hansen, chairman of the execu-
tive committee. who acted as master of
ceremonies and attended to the comfort
of all guests. seeing that each person
was seated with his or her best friends.
The remarkable growth of the col
leSe curing tne score OF years was the
keynote of all the speeches. 1t started
in 1896 with Mrs. Mussey and Miss Gil
lett teaching a law class for three
women in their own offices. Two of
these three first students were at the
celebration last night, as was Rev. Paul
Sperry. the first male student who gave
the invocation which opened the ex
ercises.
Miss s. Christine Quick. president of
the class of 1917. presided as toast
mistress and introduced the various
speakers in a facetious and amusing
manner.
Mrs. Mussey's Address.
Mrs. Mussey reviewed some of the
difficulties experienced during the early
days of the college and dwelt with
pride on it's steady development. She
pointed with particular qualification to
the fact that among the graduates who
have brought glory to their alma mater
one of the most recent is Miss Alice
Birdsall, who has been made court re-
porter for the supreme court OF Ari-
IONA.
In recalling the early days of the COL
lexe Mrs Mussey said in part:
THAT historic Womans law class OF
three determined woman students and
two rather unwilling woman teachers
began on February !, 1896. and used to
recite in Blackstone in Miss Gillette
the corner of 9Th and + streets, and
in constitutional law according to Coo
ley's Principles. in my ONCE at 40
Louisiana avenue, at the head OF 9TH
street. If the class had begun Febrn-
ary .. ST. Candlemas day, perhaps the
historic ground hog would have in some
way forecast the destiny of this strict
ly feminine venture.