National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-04
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
TRUSTEES MOVEMENT FoR,THE ELEC
ZION OF A NEW PRESIDENT

TRUSTEES MOVEMENT F0R.THE ELEC.
TON OF A NEW PRESIDED
To the Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: Although ingeniously, insidiously and
very covertly managed, It is now we'll known
that majority OF the trustees (White) Of How.
ard University have, at q recent meeting, endeaY.
Ored 10 bar the election Of Mr.. John NJ. Lang.
stOn, acting president, to the full presidency.
The manner and means Of bringing about this
result are q scandal, and have met the contempt
they merit. At q late meeting a number OF trus-
tees, acting as q cabsl, suddenly sprung the ques-
tiOn of eleeting new president General Howard
having resigned) without any intimstion to Mr..
Langston. This alone was dlscourteous, not TO
say ungrateful, to worthy man, as will be shown.
Having their scheme "cut and dried, I" they at
president, and would have succeeded but for the
timely defence Of the few colored trustees pres
ent, Bishop Brown as leader, aided by one or two
race Now, it is said that there cannot be smoke
without FIRE or effect without cause. 1t then be-
comes the bouRden duty Of every lover Of truth
Of the colored race TO inquire into the cause OF
these strange proceedings. Il Is said by some
that the opposition to Mr.. Langstonis based upon
elevation Of colored men to positions OF trust
in their own affairs. By others that he Is unit
for the presidency, and ill-calculated to promote
the highest interests Of the Institution as o seat
Of learning. The latter idea the writer once held
himself but is now convinced that he erred be-
1t is shown that Mr.. Lsngston, when elected ,
acting president OfHOWRrd University, found the
institution in debt Sll2, 600, with an expenditure
of 10000. He has entirely discharged its debt,
by reason of his financial ability and influence.
From $4,000 expenditure, he has reduced ex-
penses TO SO COO, retaining full and competent
corps Of teschers. 1t is we'll known that pTesi-
dent Of any institution needs necessarily these
elements, all others being only supplemental.
Now comes the question, why should Mr.. Lang
ston be so treated, and checked Of merited promo
ton. 1t looks like color as the reason and the
strange part of It is that the trustees opposing
have been always counted upon as friends Of our
race. These statements l have made are derived
from trustworthy source. II they are not true,
gentlemen, rise and EXPLAIN
have no personal interest in Mr.. Langston,
save as he represents tbs interest OF my race.
am Of opinion that the president needed at How
ard University should be q man Of experienced
ability, especially in the management OF finance,
Well-EnoEn and devoted friend to the cOlored
race. In this respect many have doubted Mr..
LangstOD's fitness. But by your works are you
known, and he has undoubtedly filled the meas
ure.
It is said color ought not to be brought into the
question pro or con. This is indirectly true, but
IL must be remembered that this institution was
established for the especial benefit Of the blacks
and not rice UeTSG. Our blood was mixed with
its mortar, lives in the battlefield created its
foundation stone. We can never get away from
the fact that as colored people we are 20 look to
our own interest. We are upon probation 10 this
respect, and Il is the unwise method Of trial when
we are placed in the minority and In insubordins-
ston himself need to review and has doubtless got
salutary lesson from the late events.
Now q word to my cOlored friends and to my
white friends: Be strong, be firm, be courageous
in the matter of seeing that no dsrespect be cast
upon MS in the endeaYOT Of our luke-Warm friends
to satisfy personal ends To elect president
over the head Of the acting president is . censure
Of his administration which facts prove is not
merited.
i subscribe myself plainly, upon the platform
b. A, SrRAKRR.