OPENING THE NEW CENTURY
(1901-1904)
THE season of 1901 was the longest of any thus far, sixty days, from
July 1st to August 29th. In the schools Manual Training was introduced
under the direction of Mr. Henry J. Baker, also a school of Library
Training under the general guidance of Mr. Melvil Dewey, at that time
New York State Librarian, and soon after made one of the Chautauqua
trustees. The resident director of this school was at first Miss Mary E.
Hazeltine of Jamestown; later, and up to the present time, Miss Mary E.
Downey, of the Utah State Library. The growth of public libraries
throughout the country has made this school very popular among young
women seeking the profession of librarian.
Some voices new to Chautauqua were heard from the Amphitheater platform
in 1901, such as Dr. O. P. Gifford of the Baptist Church, Captain
Richmond Pearson Hobson, Mrs. L. Ormiston Chant of England, a descendant
of the great Edmund Burke, we were informed, and the Governor of New
York, Hon. Benjamin B. Odell. Mr. Joseph Jefferson, whom all the world
of that generation knew as "Rip Van Winkle," gave a lecture showing the
relations of the lecture platform and the stage. Rev. John McNeill,
whose speech showed that he came from the north of the Tweed, preached a
powerful and searching sermon. Dr. Robert Stuart McArthur gave a lecture
on "Mountain Peaks in Russian History." Dr. Hale, President Crawford,
Mr. Leland Powers, Dr. S. H. Clark, Dr. Moulton, and Mr. George W. Bain
were among the old Chautauqua favorites of that season. As the C. L. S.
C. Class of 1900 had taken the name "The Nineteenth Century Class," the
one graduating this year was entitled "The Twentieth Century Class." The
speaker on Recognition Day was Chancellor E. Benjamin Andrews of the
University of Nebraska, on the subject, "Problems of Greater America."
The season of 1902 was noteworthy from a visit of Bishop Vincent. It
seems strange to read of a _visit_ from the Founder of Chautauqua, but
he was at that time living in Zurich, Switzerland, holding Methodist
conferences all over Europe, in many languages through interpreters, and
for several years had been absent from Chautauqua. We of the older
generation always missed his presence, but to the younger troop of
Chautauquans his was only a revered name. The Vincent whom they knew,
and packed the Amphitheater to hear, was the Director George E. Vincent,
the man at the wheel of Chautauqua. This year the announcement was made
that the Chancellor was coming, and a royal welcome was prepared. A
printed account of this event reads as follows:
Arriving at Lakewood, the Bishop was met by
members of his family, and the Board of Trustees.
After the welcome greetings, the party took a
special steamer for Chautauqua. At the Pier a
fleet of craft of all descriptions--launches,
sail-boats, and row-boats--awaited the arrival of
the Bishop's steamer. As soon as it came within
hailing distance, the larger boats dipped colors
and all the people waved handkerchiefs, the chimes
at the Point rang in a familiar tune, and as the
steamer headed toward the Pier, the Chautauqua
choir, gathered in the balcony, sang the old
Chautauqua song, "Join, O friends, in a memory
song."
As the boat came to the wharf, the bank and the
Park of Palestine were a mass of waving
handkerchiefs. The Reception Committee, composed
of officials of the Institution, stood on the
Pier, and back of them an immense throng all eager
to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader. Lines
were formed on either side of the walk, and as the
Bishop passed between them he was greeted with the
salute of the white handkerchiefs. In Miller Park
were gathered the cottage owners, the Summer
Schools, and the C. L. S. C. classes, with their
banners and emblems, and the various clubs and
children's classes. On the way to his cottage on
Lake Avenue, the Bishop was escorted by about two
hundred and fifty members of the Boys' and Girls'
Clubs, whose sweet voices rang out clear and full
in "Auld Lang Syne." From the veranda of his tent
cottage, the Bishop made an eloquent address of
appreciation, full of the joy of home-coming.
In 1904, Bishop Vincent was placed on the retired list, to dwell where
he chose, free from episcopal service. From that year until 1918, he
passed a portion of each summer at Chautauqua and took part in the
program, but without the responsibility of supervision. Most of the time
he was happy in his release, but there would come occasional hours when
he longed to hold the reins once more.
In this year, 1902, a new charter was received from the Legislature of
New York, giving a new title, "Chautauqua Institution." The Girls' Club
and the Unitarian House were built this season, also the Disciples'
Headquarters on Clark Avenue received its pillared portico. The Lutheran
House was established during this season.
Senator Mark Hanna of Ohio, who was looked upon as "the power behind the
throne" during the presidency of his friend, William McKinley, spoke at
Chautauqua in 1902, also Mrs. Pennybacker of Texas, Dr. A. E. Dunning of
Boston, editor of the _Congregationalist_, General John C. Black of
Pennsylvania, Dr. Earl Barnes, Prof. Charles Zeublin, Dr. W. F. Oldham
of India, afterward a Bishop, and the ever-welcome Frank Beard who had
been absent for a number of years.
Chautauqua has always believed in the open and free discussion of vexed
questions, and this year from August 4th to August 8th was held a most
interesting conference on "The Labor Movement." The introductory address
opening the subject was given by the Hon. Carroll D. Wright, U. S.
Commissioner of Labor. Supplementary lectures, followed by discussion,
were by President Harper on "The University and Industrial Education";
Mr. Frank P. Sargent, "Growth and Influence of Labor Organizations"; Mr.
John Mitchell, "The Joint Conference between Employer and Employee." On
both sides there was the frankest expression of opinion. I remember that
when one speaker was asked whether he was an actual worker or a
professional agitator, without a word he held out his hands that all
might see they were the hands of a working-man.
This year was notable in the Department of Music, by the entrance of
Mr. Alfred Hallam as Director. His whole-hearted, absolutely
self-forgetting labor, and his reach after the highest standards in his
art, from 1902 to 1919, made Mr. Hallam dear not only to his choir, but
to all Chautauquans.
The year 1903 was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the C.
L. S. C. in 1878. That event in popular education was commemorated by a
great meeting in the Amphitheater and the laying of the corner stone of
a new Hall of Philosophy on the site of the old hall, which, being a
wooden building, was decaying. The Class of 1882 planted some ivy
brought from the Palatine Hill in Rome, other classes planted oak and
pine trees. A sealed box, containing portraits of the Founders and
copies of Chautauqua publications, was placed in the corner stone, which
was then lowered into place and made secure with mortar, the trowel
being handled in turn by Dr. George Vincent and Director Scott Brown. As
the stone was put in place, a cablegram was read from Bishop Vincent at
Helsingfors, Finland--"Remember the foundation is Christ." Vincent.
This year, 1903, the Arts and Crafts shops, which had been in various
places over the ground, were brought together by the director, Henry
Turner Bailey, making the Arts and Crafts Village, in later years to
become the Arts and Crafts Building. The Grange Building on Simpson
Avenue was erected and presented as headquarters for that order by Mr.
Cyrus W. Jones of Jamestown. This year, 1903, Dean Percy H. Boynton of
the University of Chicago was made Secretary of Instruction, and placed
in full charge of the Summer Schools, which by this time had grown to
more than two thousand students. A few years later he received the title
of Principal and gave to the summer schools his unremitting attention
until 1917. To Dean Boynton's careful choice of instructors and
watchfulness over details of management during those years the growth
and success of the schools is largely due.
The Liquor Problem was the subject of the Conference on August 3-8,
1903. I find on the list of speakers and their subjects eight names to
which might be added five times as many who participated in the
discussions. Commander Frederick Booth-Tucker and his wife Emma
Booth-Tucker, told of "The Salvation Army and the Liquor Problem." Mr.
Raymond Robins, an eminent social worker of Chicago, spoke on "The
Saloon and the World of Graft, Vagrancy, and Municipal Correction,"
although it may have been "municipal corruption," for I think he spoke
on both subjects. Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens told of the work of the W.
C. T. U.; Prof. I. P. Bishop showed "The Physiological Effects of
Alcohol," Prof. Frederick Starr, the anthropologist, gave an interesting
account of "Stimulants among Primitive Peoples." Other speakers were
Rev. E. C. Dinwiddie, Mr. Frederick H. Wines, and Mrs. John G. Woolley.
[Illustration: A Corner of the Playground]
Another Conference was held August 10th to 15th on "The Mob," and
attracted the deepest interest. President William G. Frost of Berea
College, Kentucky, told of "The Mountain Feuds"; Mr. John Temple Graves
spoke in defense of lynching, and declared that the only solution of the
negro problem in the south would be the enforced deportation of the
negro back to Africa; but other Southerners present did not agree with
him. Dean Richmond Babbitt gave "A Study of the Lynch Law"; Mr. D. M.
Parry spoke on "The Mob Spirit in Organized Labor"; Mr. Thomas Kidd on
"The Labor Unions and the Mob Spirit." Chief Justice Charles B. Lore of
Delaware and Judge John Woodward gave "The Legal Aspects of the Mob
Spirit." No discussion at Chautauqua awakened such feeling, although it
was carried on with perfect courtesy by speakers on the opposing
sides.
We can name only a few of the many lecturers in the regular program of
1903. One was Governor Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin, soon to
attract attention as an insurgent in the United States Senate. Another
was Mr. George Willis Cooke, on social subjects. Mr. Hamlin Garland, the
story-writer, gave a lecture, also General John B. Gordon of Georgia,
Dr. Richard Burton, a course in literature; Hon. Wm. T. Harris, Dr.
Moulton, and the Rev. R. J. Campbell of London. The platform during the
season was fairly crowded, the speakers and concerts following in such
close succession.
In 1904, Bishop Vincent having been relieved from the cares of the
Episcopacy, went to live for a time in Indianapolis. He was now able to
come with more or less regularity to Chautauqua, and gave the opening
address of the season. The exercises of that year extended through sixty
days beginning June 30th and ending August 28th. We note that the School
of English included in its staff Prof. Richard G. Moulton and Edward
Howard Griggs. The work in Nature Study was enlarged to include courses
in Botany and Physiography. The courses for teachers embraced systematic
work in all the grades from the kindergarten to the college. This year
the new electric railway was opened from Jamestown to Chautauqua and
thence to Mayville and Westfield on Lake Erie. Bishop Vincent was a
passenger on the first car over the line. This improved means of
transportation enabled people to come by rail every hour to Chautauqua,
gave direct and speedy connection with the New York Central Railroad,
and resulted in making the principal entrance to the grounds no longer
by water but by land. Hence the crowds forsook the stores in the Pier
Building and the Arcade, and a new business center grew up on the hill.
This year the new Hall of Philosophy was opened, of the same general
plan as the old building, but with floor and pillars of concrete, a more
durable material. The building was also somewhat larger than its
predecessor and was in every way more convenient. In the concrete floor
are inserted tablets in honor of the classes that contributed toward the
building. The pillars also bear the names of their givers. The list of
exercises in the Hall during any Assembly season would of itself make a
long catalogue.
The Devotional Hour had now become a systematic order and called
together large congregations. It was not altogether the fame of the
great preachers, but also the strong religious atmosphere of the place
that gathered every day at ten o'clock for five mornings of each week a
thousand people for worship. How many churches could show a congregation
as large, not only on Sundays, when the service was attended by five
thousand people, but through the days of the week? Among the chaplains
of this season, each serving a week, were Dr. S. Parkes Cadman, Dr. Hugh
Black, Bishop Oldham, Dr. Daniel Dorchester of Pittsburgh, and the
evangelist, Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman.
The Conference of 1904 was from July 24th to 29th on the subject of
Missions, Home and Foreign. Among the speakers were Dr. Francis E. Clark
of the Christian Endeavor movement, recently returned from an all-around
the world visit to missions abroad, Dr. Frederick G. Stanley, Dr. George
M. Boynton, Dr. Homer Stuntz from the Philippines--afterward a Bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church--Bishop Oldham, and Mr. J. L. Joslin of
India.
I remember hearing Dr. Stuntz tell of a native Filipino who came to him
soon after the American occupation of Manila, and after carefully
closing the door, and looking in closets to be sure that no one was in
hearing, carefully unrolled a package, showed a small Bible in the
Spanish language, and asked: "Would it be safe for me to be found
reading this book? I have kept it hidden for years, for my life would
have been the penalty if it had been seen." Dr. Stuntz led him to a
window, pointed to the American flag flying over the castle, and said;
"Do you see that flag? As long as that flag flutters over these islands,
you can stand in the market place and read in as loud a voice as you
choose out of this book and you will be safe. Wherever that flag flies,
the Bible is an open book!"
Most of the men whom we have named gave lectures, as well as
participating in the conferences. Besides these, we saw on the platform
the massive form of William Howard Taft, then Secretary of War, after a
few years to be President of the United States; Mr. Griggs also gave a
course of lectures and taught classes in literature, and Prof. Frederick
Starr was one of the speakers. Dr. George Adam Smith of Scotland was
also with us during the season of 1904.
Some of the recitations this year were by Dr. S. H. Clark, Mrs. Bertha
Kunz Baker, Mrs. Emily M. Bishop, Miss Marie L. Shedlock, and Prof.
Henry L. Southwick.