52d Commencement

The 52d annual comrneri cement of the University of Michigan has come and gone and yesterday morniug 745 students received their diplomas, the largest class ever turned out by auy American university. Of this nmuber 337 are from the law department, inclnding 20 for advanced degrees; 190 from the literary department, 74 from the engineering, 31 from the medical, 23 from the pbarmacy, ö fiom the homeopathie and 58 from the dental. It was in mauy respects a most remarkable commencement, coming as it did on the 25rh anniversary of President Angell's presidency of the iustitution and the exercisss incident to that eveut will ïnake it an occasion that will always be remembered with pride by the gradúate who received bis diploma this year. The exercises were opened with music by the Chequamegons, followed with a short prayer by Dr. Angelí. Next came the commencement address by Charles K. Adams, LL. D. It was a long winded affair delivered from manuscript and lasted an hour and a half, during which time the audienoe fidgeted and perspired on the "downy" seats of university hall, hoping that each moment would see the end of it. Another selection of music followed and then each individual gradúate received the reward of his or her years of study. The benediction was pronounced and thegreat crowd which had fllled the hall to overflowing, slowly melted away. The eveuts of the week are briefly narrated below in the order in which they uccurred. THE BaCCALAUREATE SERMÓN Delivered Sunday night by President Angelí was one of the best that popular speaker has ever delivered, ■■ A synop sis of it will be found on tüe seventb page of tliis paper. LAW CLASS EXEllCISES. By tbe request of the senior law class Prof. Floyd R. Meohem deliveed the last lecturre in their college oareer on Monday rnorning. He spoke for abont three quarters of au hcmr ou two topics, "The relation of the lawyer to society" and "The fnnction of law as a conservator of society." The class day exercises were called at 2 o'clock in University hall, wheu the 338 senior iaws and about 2,000 others were on hand. The class offioers and speakers of the day 'were seated on the platform, at one end of wbich appeared the law department's oil portrait of Jndge Cooley, and at the other the veiled portrait of Prof. J. C. Knowlton, just finished and ready to be presented as the gift of the 'ftfi law class to the department in which he has labored. The platform was also tastefully decorated, the university and class colors predominating. Pres. Fred L. Iugraham delivered his address, which was oae of the bset ever made by this popular speaker. Henry Edward Nothomb, of Iowa, gave the class poem, under two heads "The lawyer's fee" and "The parting." Daniel R. Williams, of Missouri, offlciated as class historian. The oratiou was delivered by Earl Dewey Reynolds, of North Adams. lts title was "The ethical dominance in society." It waswell delivered. The valedictory was delivered by Edgar P. O'Leary, of Kansas, and was one of the best features of the day. The presentation speech of the oil painting of ex-Dean J. C. Knowlton, was made by Daniel Reece Hughes, of Bevier, Mo. The gift was formally acuepted for the university by Regent Levi L. Baibour. THE SENIOR PROMENADE. The senior promenade on the campus Monday evening was one of the pleasantest of the raany pleasant events of Commencement week. The walks I arouud the main building were lined with rows of Chinese lauterus, while the walk in front of the building was spannf'd by arches artistically decorated witn lauterus. The eveuiug was au ideal oue for such au eveüt and the 2,000 or more people who througed the walks will not soon forget the senior j promeuade of 1896. The gou orcuestra furnished the excellent ruusic that served to enliven the occasion nud it was much appreciated. Mauy fratemity honses also the resideuce of Prof. T. M. Cooley were decorated witb laDterns, amoug them the Zeta Psi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Kappa Epsilon and Psi Upsilou chapter honses ■weie hong with Chinese lauterns, while the last inentioued house had a special decoration in the shape of the Greek letters of the fraternity outlined in electric over the entrance. LITERARY CLASS DAY. The '96 olass day exercises were held Tnesday afternoon at 2 o'olock, under the Tappau oak, whioh has become historie as the place where so ruany like scènes have beeu euacted. A browd of 1,000 or more had gathereá to wituess the proceedings among whoui were many oíd graduates who eagerly compared uotes ou the difference between the exercises of today and those of the period wheu they grariuated. The Chequaruegons furnished the ruusic and the speeches of the day were coinmenced by Edward Bishop House, of Greeley, Colo. presidsnt of the class, who delivered the president's address. Miss Annie Loaise Bacorn, of Ann Arbor, gave the class history and pictured the doings of the class of '96 with great attention to detail and huinorousness.. The class orator was Frank P. Sadler, of Grove City, 111., who has rlistiDguisbed himself along the line of oratory on several occasions since he has been in the U. of M. His subject was "The ideáis in practical life," aud he was warmly cougraulated for his pfforts. Miss Euretta A. Hoyles, of Aurora, HL, the class poet, took for the theme of her muse, "Under Tappan Oak." She told of the oak's history and wove around it a beautiful Greciau legeud. Miss Alice E. Rothmauu, of Ann Arbor, iu her prophecy the "New Arabian Nights, " foretold all kinds of good things for the elass aud uuiversity. Then carne the presentation to the university of complete casts of the fanions Arch of Trajan, now standing at Benevento, Italy. which is the ïnemorial of the class of '96. The presentation speech was made by Alonzo H. Tuttle, of Decatnr, 111., and was responded to by Prof. Kelsey ou behalf of the university. SENIOR RECEPTION. The senior receptioa TuesJay night was not as largely attended as was last year's, but when the grand maroh began at 9 :30 o'clock, led by C. C. Parsous, Delta Upsilon, and Miss McLaughlin, of Detroit, there were 250 couples on the floor. The Waterman gymnasium had been haudsomely decorated by Charlea F. Stabler, who had fairly outdone hiüiself for tbe occasion. The maiu floor of the dancing hall was banked in a deop red, set off by ferns and hangiug baskets of flowers. Tbe chaperones' booth directly across frorn the entrance, was a modern drawing room, covered with yellow and blue and the American flag, carpeted with heavy rngs an&.hung with pictures and flowers, aud preseuted an attractive apyeai'ance. The rafters were bidden trom view by a mass of yellow and blue, offset by flags of all nations, and here and there a Japanese lautern. The novel feature of the decorations was two stands at the east and west ends of the gallery, covered with electric lights aud the American flag with '90 in the center. The ladies' dressing room was placed upstairs aud refreshments were served down stairs ou loug tables. The programs were very neat aud handsome. T. P. Hickey as floor mauager kept sverything running srnootbly. Musio was furuished by Schreiuser's band and orchestra, of Detroit, and the Cbequauiegon orchestra. Duriug the earlier part of the eveuing the gallery was crowded witb spectators. The chaperones were Mesdaines ,1. B. Angelí, M. L. D'Ooge, V. C. Vaugban, H. B. Hutchins, C. E. Greene, A. H. Pattengill, M. E. Cooley, A. A. Stanley, J. C. Knowlton, W. P. Lombard, A. C. McLaugbliu, P. R. dePont, Waite and G. W. Pattersou. AXNIVEKSARY EXE11CISES. The celebratiou of the 25th anuiversary of President AngelPs connectioa with the University of Michigan, held in university hall on Wednesday nioruing, was an occasion of great moment in university bistory as well as beiug profonndly impressive. The exercises begau at 10:15 o'clock, the front of the stage was occnpied by Dr. Angelí and tbose who were to speak, behind them was Prof. A. A. Stanley, the Choral Union and the big organ. The faculty occupied seats in the front part of the hall facing the stage. The president entered the hall upon the arm of Regent Butterfleld. The faculty arose in their seats to greet him, and the great uuiversity orgau poured out a graud triumphaut rnolody. Rev. J. M. Gelston, of the class of 1809, invoked a blessng upon the assembly aud Regent Butterfield, of Grand Rapids, acting as chairmau of the meeting, presently introduced Regeut Cooker, who spoke in behalf of the board of regents. He was followed by Prof. M. L. D'Ooge, who spoke of the career of the uuiversity during the past 20 years and enumerated the good work that had been done by President Angelí, lts growth has been reniarkable; its resources have been trebled aud the uumber of students atteuding it annually bas iucreased from 1,200 to 3,000. Iu concludiug he said: "O ar memories thrill today with sacred recollectious of the past, aud we fancy we .hear mingliug with our words of greeting, voices froru the land of those beloved colleagnes, who 35 years ago stood here to bid you welcome to this post of honor, but who are with us now only in memory and iu spirit, to join with us in thesí expressioas of our esteeui and praise. Whatever be the future of this university, your work in its be(Contiuued on Eighth Page.) 52fl COMMENCEMENT (Contmued from Page Oue.) half shall be an abiding possessioa of good iuflueuce aud power and shall coastitnte oue of the chief elements of its greatness and renown for all time." ' Prof. F. A. Barbour tben read the resolutions of congratulation from the State Teachers' Association, and then President Angelí rose to his feet and read the speech he had prepared for the occasion. As he proceeded with it and spoke of the trials and vicissitudes and pleasures that hadfilled up themeasure of those 25 years, of the teachers who had been associated with hini and whose companionship had been lost through death, particularly when he spoke of the deatb of Prof. Frieze, his voice faltered and the strange sight of the usually calm aud placid president of the U. of M. in tears was seen. At the conclusión of his address he made the following reference to Mrs. Angelí and the part she had taken in the social duties of the president's house. It is impossible through lack of space to give the whole of President Angell's remarks and to give a brief synopsis would not be doing justice to a feeling and beautiful speech : "I am deeply touched by the delicate but positive recognition in the address of the services of my wlfe to the university. For her aid in unnumbered ways, through all the vicissitudes of these years, especially in the social responsibilities which fall here upon the president's house, .she is entitled to share with me to the fall, whatever honor this day can briug to me. In her name and in my owu. I beg to thank you. "In the course of nature the day is not remote when some other man must take the official responsibility which has for a quarter of a century rested upon me, and which has so greatly iucreased since I assumed it. I pray that he may be a stronger and wiser man than I have been. I am sure that the kiod consideration which regents and faculities and studeuts, and the public have shown to me, will make a strong and wise man more willing than he inight otherwise be to accept the high and sacred trust. If such shall prove to be the fact, the celebration of this day will have amply justified itself. Meanwhile, for myself, allow me to make my closing like my opening words - thanks, thanks, my heartiest thanks." Following President Angell's address came the commemorative ode, written by Pi of. C. M. G. Gayley, now professor at the University of California, and set to muaic by Prof A. A. Stanley. It was sung by a ohorus of 80 voices with fine effect. D'ian Murray, of Princeton, a classrnate of President Angelí in Brown university, tendered greetings from the two iustitutions, and it was a pleasant sight to witness the interohange of congratulation and good will between these great institutions. The distinguished librarían and author. Justin Winsor, of Harvard, a life friend of Dr. Angelí, made a díguified, substantial speech of greeting from that abode of learning. Prof. John E. Clark, class of '56, prosented the greetings of Yale and he was followed by Dr. A. S. Drapei, óf the University of Illinois. Dr. William T. Harris, of Washington, D. C, United States commissiouer of education, was the next speaker. He came as the representativo of the whole nation, and insisted that the work of the uuiversity was country-wide, aud even world-wide in its influence. The exercises closed with nhorus, "The strain upraise, " by Prof. Stanley and the rneinbers of the choral union. THE ALUMSI BANQVET The alumni banquet Wednesday afternoon lasted over four hours, and over 500 set dovtn to the tables. Deari Maitin L. D'Ooge presided as toastru aster, and toasts were responded to by President Angelí, Hon. Roland Hazard, of Ehode Island ; ex-Regent George Willard, of Battle Creek, one of the members of the board of regent s who called Dr. Angelí to the presidency; Hon. B. M. Cutcheon, of the class of '61; Mrs. Madeion Stockwell Turner, '72, the first woman matricúlate of the uuiversity; President Henry Wade Rogers, of Northwestern; President Sperry, of Olivet ; President Harper, of Chicago; Prof. Dwight, of Oberliu and Mr. Wright, of the class of '61. The speechen were excellent and appropriate to President Augell's 25th auniversary. Letters aud telegrains fiorn Gov. Rich, President Andrews, of Brown ; President Buckham,of Vermont; Prof. Moses Coit Tyler, and others were read. Suffice it to say conceruiug the bauquet, tbat it was a model oue. Hon. Don M. Dickinsou perpetrated a happy surprise, when asked to make some remarks, by presenting a fund to endow the James Burrill Angelí fellowship of International Law. He said : "A short time ago a few citizens of Michigan who are not alumni, sorne alumni who are not citizens of Michigan and some alumni who are, gatbered to counsel together to devise means of expressing our feelings toward the scholar that presides over theüniversity of Miohigan. We consulted the dtau of the facnlty. We said any gift to President Angelí must be laid at the feet of bis mistress. It should ostablish some small fund for the benefit of the University of Michigan, possibly a fellowship. We advised that the smallest sum reqnired would be $10,000. There has been no subscribing, no publicity, and although times are hard and tbere is yet iu copper-producing Michigan, no free coinage of copper, we have passed the f 10,000 mark and are trying to doublé, treble and quadruple it for the purpose of providing a chair worthy of this rare man of high learning, Christiau cbaracter and sweet spirit whom we know today. " THE SENATE RECEl'TIOïï Was held in Waterman gymnasium, Wednesday evening. President and Mis. Angelí received the uumerous guests assisted by the deans of the various departinents. Music was furnisbed bythe Cheqaamegons and Hangsterfer did the catering. It was a strictly informal afïair and was very successful. Alnmui of all classes were present from those who graduated in the first years of the university down to those of last yeai. The class of '93 had a large representation, those who were present marohing into the hall in a body.