New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-20


few college presidents in the country are so popular
among the students whose destnles they control for
t,nr years or more as DR.. MacCracken. lie has per
sonal Interest in every man in the institution. The
ambitions the troubles, the hopes the disappontments
az the men under him are his ambitions, troubles,
hopes and disappointments. They find In him coun
seor and friend always ready TO listen to their CON-
plants and wishes
Dr. MacCracken to give only the outlines OF sue
cc.sfa career, born in the college town of Oxford
ohio. on september 2s Is4O and is at present. there
fore in his fifty second year. lie was prepared for
college By his father, Presbyterian clergyman, and
entered Miami University in 1853, on the day y
which President Harrison graduated. Among
Ms earliest college memories in fact IS the commence
ment grafton delivered by the head OF the present Ad
minstraon. Among the students At Miami at that
time was also Whltelaw Reid, now United States Min
ister 10 France.
After graduation DR.. MacCracken teacher Of
classics and school superintendent for three years.
He studied theology for another three years at Xena
Ohio. and Princeton, and acted as pastor OF West
minister Church, OF Columbus, Ohio from 1868 70
1867. In the latter year he went 70 Germany and
passed several semesters in the study Of philosophy
and religion In the Universities of Treblngen and Ber
hn following Goethe's famous lines in Faust, =
Take thy notes zealously
A. did the Holy Ghost dictate to thee.
Dr. MseCrackcn filled several volumes with the re-
he s'i numbers among the priceless treasures Of his
private library Upon his return from Germany lie
accepted tho pastorate Of the First Presbyterian Church
in Toledo Ohio, and remained there until chosen
Chancellor OF the Western University Of Pennsylvania
In 1854 he was summoned to the University oil New
York. where Inc has since remained. Willie pastor
Re tlok an active interest in educational affairs, and
was among the founders cf a sucocssfl, college and
vellknown academy lie Is the author, too Of large
volume upon Lives Of the Church Leaders, which
shows the extent Of his reading and study, and OF
numerous addresses, pamphlets newspaper and maya
zine articles.
Like all college presidents the head of the Unlver-
sty Of the City Of NewYork is busy man. with man
fold ana exacng duties. Important as IT Is instruc-
ton takes almost minor place among the works of
tho hcad Of great institution Every morning, ex
cent sunday at 9 O'Clock, DE-. bineCracken can be
found In his large, CHEEKY room in the old stone build
ing in Washington square. The Office. one OF the
peassnte,t in New York, is situated at the southeast
ern corner Of tho building, overlooking the street and
the park. Ii is filled with memcnios. Dr. Mac
Cracken writes at the old mahogany desk once used
by Chancellor Theodore Frcinghuysen years and
years ago on the walls are portraits OF 1orne. oi
GERS OF the institution, whose dress recalls DAYS ~
lar only to old NEWCOMERS In the various oo'noi'
NJ the ROOM well known 10 many who claim tue ohi
verstv as their alma mater stand the marble busts OF
other men interested at various times IN ule lhsti
tution In the mahogany desk and in series Oh us"
ers In an adjoining room are Kept the innpoI'a'V
papers and records of the Chancelors ONCE WIN e
execution OF the time taken Tor cohese Pi"'e-s
which the Chancellor leads in person. aho
h,s lectures upon philosophy, he remains
at the Office uninterruptedly until haliPast
o,oloek Ordinarily lac also devotes two OF liIce
hours in the afternoon TO executive duties l'luNs
one hour from half past 10 hah past D. ior oAe 80
eentlon of visitors. When possible 70 shor'on "'o
sbors in the afternoon the Chancellor. as aiFeaay
fnra ride
walker ann when the weather permits invariably goee
sfoat several times a day 10 and from the OhNerSoS
and his cosey home at No. 81 lrvibg flace' AHe cal
mart OF lbs evenings is usually devoted 10 some o
or social duty and the later part to stray ano .1e
rreporotou OF lectures and addresses one evening
each week the Doctor delivers Lecture upon Yin
psratlve Ethics TO thirty graduate students al SIe
bh-nyx M his home. These two hours ne nj hOerS
among the pleasantest OF the week
A part OF saturday evening Is regularly used ny
Dr. MaeCracken In attendance ht the Fhilo ot1O'
composed Of sixteen clergvmen fePFese"'As
different denominations Among the other neioe's a.
the present time are the Rev Drs Prime briasnah'
waIbole Warren. schauifier Fsunce Virgin. Deems
sanders and u. b. Tyler, who acts az president
The club said the Chancellor, q lew nays ago. -
Composed OF men selected mainly Win reference "
Their intellectual and 'clubable' qualities. we oie e'o'
saturday al the house OF one OF the members lhcse
occasions are richly enjoyed by Us all ana the ohe 10
as a rule only a secondary consideration An' -"
Dr. Howard Crosby one OF our members anu "hei'
the oIub met AZ his house he made it rule TO have
dinner o. only two courses. The first course con
sisted invariably OF fine roast beef great PLAYER VI
be meat resting al each end OF the long table Durhs
the knealtIme we discuss various subjects WHICH We
think beneficial and interesting The division OF sHe'
strange 70 say the subject Of consideration al our
last meeting.
DR.. MacCrackeu Is also u member Of the Sigma Chi
Club frse vioepresdent OF the Society for the Pre-
venton Of Crime and an officer in several other asso
atoms.
Much ply icA exercise is necessary TO keep up
strength for so many onerous duties 81 am follower
he saAd In conversation with Tribune reporter az
least theoretically Of the ancient maxim OF eight
hours for sleep eight hours for meals, recreaohs ana
prayers. and eight hours for continuous work for
the sake Of health and energy grant myself all the
sleep that my body seems to demand and endeavor
10 replace any draft upon my strength during the
early morning by nap after luncheon possessing
We ability " sleep when VIII. - .
In lbs earlier days ilc Doctor was good oars man
and could hold stroke" with rivals strong and bold
Indeed he stll loves to take boat spinning Ger tne
The new site on the Harlem River 10 thouige aAiS
Chancellor MacIracken's summers are spent with
rs wife and four children at has farm Qyeroroox .a
Munro the putai.her and trustee OF the nniver
.v John G. Maben, President Morton, OF stevens
lege men While there he endeavors 20 forget that
e is tie head OF university and can be seen work
ing IN the garden, hay fields and dairy. AT umes Nc
also donS Che blue blouse and takes part In building
fyads and walks In this work he finds great recren-
non: IN the winter, too. the Doctor often runs Up
70 the arfn % spend several days at time. IN the
nnaatne season be loves TO take shotgun ana enmo
hose Mountain In search Of partrIdges. lie modesty
admits, however that the birds are stu plentiful de
fpie hs numerous sporting expeditions.
Inns the years OF one Of New Yorks welLk
teachers pass BY. The institution over which he pre-
sue Is growing rapidly, term after term, aud eash
yso1nas from the GhanceIlors hands With its castel-
s frcs sn4 tower. Il u dear 10 the hearts oa ans