36 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the return trip. On the outward trip Mr. R. E. Olds drove the Presi- 

 dent's car. Beside him rode Mr. Loeb, the President's secretary, and 

 on the rear seat was President Eoosevelt and the president of the col 

 lege. This car was preceded bj' one carrying the chief of the city po- 

 lice and several secret service men, four of Avhom accompanied the Presi- 

 dent on this trip. There were also, besides others, three correspondents 

 representing the three principal news agencies. 



A company of cavalry escorted the automobile from the Capitol to 

 beyond the railroad. The trip was made to the college in a few min- 

 utes. The new macadam road had been thoroughly wet down by sprink- 

 lers during the previous night and early morning. Another company of 

 cavalry was awaiting our arrival at the west entrance to the campus. 

 A tour of the college grounds was made, following the main drive by 

 way of the Armory, Williams Hall, Library and back along Faculty Row 

 to the president's house. Immediately after the distinguished visitors 

 had entered the building, the cavalry encircled the house and no one 

 was permitted to come near unless he was properly vouched for. 



The party arrived promptly at twelve o'clock. After a few minutes 

 of introduction and handshaking, the sixty guests sat down to a five 

 course luncheon. After dinner the battalion was drawn up in front of 

 the president's residence, and as President Roosevelt came forth the cadets 

 ];resented arms. The President acknowledged this with the accustomed 

 military salute. The battalion then quickly formed two lines from the 

 steps of the residence to the platform from which he was to speak. Be- 

 tween these lines the President and other guests marched to the platform, 

 halting for a moment midway Avhile the President planted a tree. This 

 young elm was about an inch and a quarter in diameter and seven feet 

 tall. 



The audience was carefully controlled by four companies of militia. 

 Faculty, students, alumni, former students, delegates, members of the 

 legislature. State officials and invited guests were admitted within the 

 ropes by ticket. The size of the audience was variously estimated at 

 from twenty to twenty-five thousand ]i€ople. The platform was occu- 

 pied by the candidates for honorary degrees, the President's party, and a 

 few distinguished citizens of Michigan. The President was given a 

 hearty, cordial but dignified greeting by the audience. The meeting be- 

 gan promptly at the appointed time, two o'clock. The preliminary exer- 

 cises were brief. The audience sang a national hymn, "Mendon ;" the 

 Rev. E. M. Lake led in a brief prayer, and the president of the college 

 introduced the speaker in the following words : "Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 the President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt." 



The address was delivered from a small manuscript printed in large 

 type on one side of paper. The President held this in one hand and 

 did not read closely, quite frequently gesticulating with both hands. 

 He spoke quite slowly, in a high, penetrating tone of voice, and was 

 heard by nearly all present. He was about one hour and fifteen minutes 

 in delivering his address and held the closest attention of the audience 

 throughout. When he had finished, the audience sang "America." 



The bachelor's degree was couleried on the members of the senior 

 class, ninety-six in number, and they were requested to come forward 

 and receive their diplomas. They were happily surprised to receive 



