Page:The Pacific Monthly vol. 14.djvu/299

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EVENTS. 197

to me to contribute to the dissolution of a union in which 1 thought I saw the inde- pendence, security and happiness of the united kingdoms. If, however, I am ready to act thus, it is in order to avoid a still worse evil, and in the conviction that the union without mutual accord would bring no real advantage to Sweden. ' '

Norway invited King Oscar to name a prince of his house, King of Norway, but this the old King felt he could not do, and declined the invitation. The consensus of opinion seems to be that Sweden will follow the lead of her king and accept the situa- tion as it is.

The war feeling has been growing stronger, however, of late, and Norway may not obtain her independence without paying the usual price — the blood of her strongest

and best.

  • * »

T 1 -Lj John Hay, Secretary of State, died at his summer home in New Hamp-

•'° ^^ shire on July 1. Mr. Hay collapsed from overwork last spring and took

a trip to Europe in the hope and belief that the rest and sea voyage would completely restore his strength. Upon his return,, but a short time before his death, it was an- nounced that Mr. Hay was still far from being a well man; but it was confidently be- lieved that a period of rest and recreation in the country would enable him to return to Washington in the fall fully recuperated in health.

Before leaving for New Hampshire, however, Mr. Hay spent several days in Wash- ington, and while there he attended actively to business before the State Department. It was not known that death was near until a few minutes before the end came.

John Hay was born at Salem, Ind., October 8, 1838. He graduated from Brown University and while there took high rank as a scholar. He began the study of law at Springfield, 111., in the office of his uncle, an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln.

During the campaign of 1860, Mr. Hay was active as a writer and speaker. In 18(51 he was assistant secretary to President Lincoln, and, later, acted as his adjutant and aide-de-camp. Mr. Hay was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of Volunteers. In 1867-68, Mr. Hay was Secretary of Legation and Charge d 'Affaires at Vienna, and in 1869 was Secretary of Legation in Spain, From 1870 to 1875, he was on the editorial staff of the New York Tribune, and in 1881 he acted as editor-in-chief of that journal during the absence in Europe of Whitelaw Reid.

Mr. Hay was First Assistant Secretary of State during the administration of Mr. Hayes. He was appointed Ambassador to Great Britain by President McKinley, and his valuable services during the eighteen months he held that office are well remembered.

In 1898, President McKinley appointed Mr. Hay Secretary of State to succeed William E. Day, who had resigned. He was retained in office by President Roosevelt, to whom he was confidential adviser and friend. Mr. Hay ranks as one of the greatest of American

diplomats.

  • » «

C t' t Cli d ^° June 30, Paul Morton relinquished the office of Secretary of the Navy, ine ng ^^^ ^^ July 1, Charles J. Bonaparte, of Baltimore, took the oath and

assumed the office.

ijc 5(: :(:

Harvard Great interest is felt, at the present time, in scientific and educational

7 "X li " circles, over the proposed affiliation or alliance of the Massachusetts " ^^ ' Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Such a union has

long been favored by Harvard, but there has been considerable opposition to it by the ' ' Tech. ' ' But on June 9, a meeting of the corporation of the institute was held, at which thirty-two of the forty-seven members were present; at this meeting by a vote of 20 to 12 it was agreed to accept the terms of the agreement drawn up by the committee of the two institutions. The corporation and overseers of Harvard University have still to take action on the report of the committee, but there seems to be no doubt of a result favorable to the alliance.

The agreement provides that the organization of the university, the organization of the institute, and the title of each to its property and funds shall remain unaffected, as shall also the rights and duties of each in investing and managing its funds. The in- stitute is to be moved to Cambridge, where grounds and buildings are to be provided by the university. The government of the institute is to be vested in an executive com- mittee of nine persons, including the president and treasurer of the institute and three members of the Harvard corporation. The Lawrence Scientific School is to be discon- tinued, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology takes its place as the school of ap- plied science and engineering of Harvard University.

  • * *

Ckurcli -^ church of Cleveland, Ohio, some time ago appointed a trained news-

P A<y t paper man to the position of church press agent. His duties consisted

^ in bringing the church to public attention. It is claimed that as a re-

sult of his efforts the attendance of that particular church has considerably increased. And now a church in Buffalo, New York, has taken up the idea. It has assigned to an energetic young man the special duty of supplying to the newspapers all information relating to the church that may be deemed of public interest.