New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-19
THE psEsIDENrELECT OF PRINCETON
WHY PROFESSOR PATTON HAS NOT BECOME AN
AMERICAN CrriZEN-A PEN-PIcTURr.

WHY PROFESSOR PATTON HAS NOT BECOME AN
AMERICAN CrrIZEN-l PEN-PIcTCRr
IN the recent discussion which led to the selection OF
Professor Francis L. Patton the proper person to suc
coed Dr. McCosh the president OF Princeton college
one OF the strongest objections against such cnoice was
the fact that Dr. Patton although he had lived In TINS
country for score years had become natural
lied and that at the very time OF his candidacy he sui
ave allegiance to tho British Crown. Those who were
most adherents of Dr. Patton and host OF
Others indifferent or Ignorant or the tneoios
zeal matters under dispute, were nonplussed wnen INC
criticism was made that their faycrite candidate was
not an American citizen and that the sentiment OF the
college was directly opposed TO the selection OF any
other than a native American. Professor Patton. hm-
self with characteristic modesty and foroearance ue
cined to comfort his friends discredit che enemys
rumors and until after the unanimous vote OF
the had been recorded In his FAVOR
that the real Dr. Pattons inability or tnener
ence to the duties Of American citizenship became
known
In reference to this matter well known Trustee OF the
college said yesterday: @0nly three or four facts are
necessary order understand Dr. Pattons position In
regard to this If ancestry has any virtue he Is
thoroughly American. His grandfather, who bore the
same name Landey Patton, married in this
city hundred years 10 niece OF PAU Rich
ard then Mayor OF York, and prominent knicKer-
Soon after they went to the bermuda isands 10
live New-York then in close communication Win
"a.
taes there portion OF which he left TO the children OF
his niece In the course inheritance the property
came to Dr. Patton. AS matter OF simple law there-
FORE there connected with the entail OF tns
property in his chdrsns behalf by which. If he took
any steps claim his citizenship IN this country the
properly would escheat, and the children would lose
their rights.
As TO the effect of the recent asperons upon the char
acter and attanmeDts of the presdentelect you may
say that only effect has been TO strengthen the adj
OF his adherens AM to rally he graduates and
friends Of the college generally his support AT the
college itself Professor Patton has received continual
ovation ana succession OF athletic vlctOries-the
standard OF Undergraduate iubilnoE could not have
awakened more enthusiasm and fervor than the seiec
ton Professor Patton the tweHLh presIueul Va
PRINCETON hts aroused.
the following pen-pjcture OF Professor Patton was
C ven on hts election chair ethics IN the college
in 1884: Patton is of ordinary helght Du OF more
than ordinary thinness which Is made more apparent y
pervaded by a scholarly palor; and he we're BOT DOUG
apparently without injury. such an enormous amount "a
would concIufe tpat MS nein - not 49,
Although having this worn ana palc cas- OF hOuGht,
his face gives impression OF youthfuiness; anu
though marked by strong, sharp lines, mas at times
sweet. spiritual and even childHKe expression Lsu
ally when he is speaking. however. he has haoit OF
twisting his face almost II in pain. Mlng MS eve
brows aud slightly rowning His hair is quite tneK anu
long and IL parted well on toward the HluuLei nc
whskers aud spectacleS anu ns eve II prlght
end uenAtratin. His Is rather thin anu low, put
reveals occasionally unexpected compass pom ol
depth lndvoume. 1t has sharp emphatic ntsaI Ioue
His manner IN preaching Is CONVERSATIONAL anu uil
studied: in fact like one VINO Is Simply lhlhk
ing aloud And vet there are few speakers W-oSe ser
mons are clear ana compact intellectual processes
and his lang is marked by an exquisite oTnaVrncss
mud precision He has but little OF mere physical aoon
which makes his intellectual activity throughout Ills ad
dress all tne more evident and accentuated