The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-01
HARvARD's NEGRO ORATOR.
Chosen BY the Senior Glass in Preference
TO an ''Aristocrat.''
Boston SPECIAL october %.


1t is learned on good au-
thority that the color line was
drawn in the case of the coiored student.
Clement Carrot Morgan, who was chosen
class orator at Harvard. The members of
the class, many of whom were seen TO-
night, positively refused to talk about the
proceedings of the meeting at which the
colored student was elected. The meeting
was secret and only the bare result of the
election, without any statement as to the
number of votes cast for either candidate,
was given TO the press. However, it is GER
tain that Morgan was elected by majority
of one vote in total vote cast of over $50
The other officers were elected on larger
margin, but the real excitement AID the
cause of the prolongstion of the meeting
until the hour of midnight was the ques
ton whether Harvard would choose the
colored man. When the vote was an
nounced it is understood there was call
for recount. which was made amid in
tense excitement. The opponents of Nor
gan were crestfallen when the tellers made
the announcement that Morgan had lust
one vote over his competitor. The colored
man, on the other hand. received
the warm congratulations of his sup
the wealthy and aristocratic element,
which was represented by candidate of
their own, whose identity. owing to the pc
euliar circumstances of the case, is one o
the things To be kept from publication.
The supporters OF this candidate made a
great effort prior to the meeting to beat
the oolored man. although it is only Just
TO say that not all of them objected 10 Nor
m ,Ft fsf p 4. l..
cause they wanted their man to win.
Morgan's antecedents and the fact that
he had in his first year and previous TO his
entrance made money as barber served
to set some OF the Aristocratio students
against him. Up TO within few days OF
the election Morgan had not been seriously
thought of for the honor. because of the
feeling that he would not win But his
supporters considered that the election Of
coiored man would be a handsome way of
showing Hsrvard's friendship for the race.
especially in view OF the notable part filed
by such Harvard men as Sumner. Phillips
and Others ia the abolition movement.
These young men put their heads together
and organized movement to place the
eolored classmat3 In the honored otiice.
and the vote they rolled up was the big sur
prise OF the meeting
Heretofore the Bloods and the seyells
have run the election, and Up 10 last wear
the resi- Of the class hal submitted Last
yea- the rule was broken in the election as
class orator Of young Magee. A great deal
OF feeling has cropped cut over Morean's
success but the chances are il will die a
natural death before commencement. bv
which time it is hoped the unceasing kick
ers viii come TO their senses.
Morgan is the son OF former slave now
living IN West Washington, d. c., where
The young man was born, and attended
and graduated from the High school. In
Washington he learned bis trade as barber
and worked IN barber shop there Later
he taught school in ST. Louis His ultimate
object being the earning OF money enough
t. 80 10 Harvard. lie came 10 Boston
in 1885,, entered the Latin school and graeu-
ated III 1856 with honorable rank he en-.
tered Harvard in the fan O! Iss), and dur.
ing bis vacation worked Ia Saratoga ho-
tel He also earned money delivering
lectures in New England on the coloreaS
problem He won the prize for oraiorv lat
year ~ recitius Car schufz's Grafton on
"fhf Emancipation Proclamation. - IL Is
not generally known n she class. and This
fact Is tie CHIEF reason why he zas not re-
gardsd as a Formidable compelitOr for class
crater.