Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-14
HOW ARD UNIVERSITY
President Rankin Writes in Relation to the
Appropriation for It
He States Its Relations to the Govern.
Aent and Claims II IL Not
Den0mfnatiOnal.

The Vice President today laid before the
Senate a letter from Rev. J. E. Rankin,
president of Howard University. in rela-
'tion to the appropriations for that institu-
tio1. He says: I'm 1880 the United States
Senate originated an appropriation for our
support, amounting to $1000O with the un-
derstanding that we should no more charge
tuition in our academic departments. We
have kept our part of this agreement
This appropriation has been gradually in
creased as our necessities increased.
and last year 5000 more was given,
on condition thta we no longer charge
tuition i'll our law department. This made
an aggregate of about $4,000. and this
sum We asked for the coming year. 1t has
ben strenuously urged in the House of
Representatives that We are a sectarian
denom:national institution. 1t is a
Protestant institution, although We well
come Catholics to our walls, and some are
always here. In the discussion 1T was
claimed that the president, while supported
by the government funds. devoted hlmseit
largely to the theological department and
that he is dean Of it. This is not the case.
He is ex-officio president Of all the de-
partments AS matter Of fact, he has
not attended a single meeting of the theo-
logical faculty within the last two years,
and his only class in that department has
been one in Shakespeare. meeting once
week. The other reason given for with
di awing our support is that We a pr-
vate institution. When the government
virtually said Surrender that tuition
charge she made this university her agent
rs much when she charters a steamer.
This Is recognized in her requiring US to
settle our accounts with the United States
officials.
Just at the close of the discussion in
the House aspers.ons frori an irresponsible
source were attempted to be thrown upon
the present administration Of the. univer-
sity. This paper. presented by Mr.. Living
ston of Georgia, had already been pre-
sented to the board of trustees and laid
upon the table unanimously without de-
bate.
The presidents house alluded to was
built by the trustees from the sale of un-
productive lands. and is a part of the
salary. 1t cost $500 more than the sum
fixed by the trustees. The chapel is a
memorial to the presidents only brother
and was erected by benevolent funds a
daughter Of the late Mr.. Luke p. Poland
giving the first 5000, 1t being called after
her deceased husband
THE Senate has always shown itself the
warm friend of this University. From it
originated our filst help. Our charter WAS
secured by distinguished vice president
who died under this roof and at whose
cbsequies the present writer .officiatod.
Among our distinguished patrons have
been such men as Senators Eaton of Con-
necticut. Edmunds of Vermont and Evarts
OF New York. Ii you take away our help
we nave no denomination to which We can
appeal. We have no constituency We
shall be obliged to charge these hundreds
OF young men and women, for whose sup
port We now personally contribute and
seek contributions abroad. a tuition fee.
OF course, it will cripple US if IL does rot
destroy us. We do not believe you will do
this upon any such pleas as have been
presented"