The times., 1897-08-18
SUCCESSOR TO ANDREWS
Brown University Seeking Dr..
Whitman, of Columbian.
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY
The Effort Made Two Years Ago TO
Secure DIR. whitmaB-A Talk With
Two of the Local Trustees-Rea-
sons why DIR. whitman's Accept
ance Is Impossible.

The rumor that President Whitman of
the presidency at Brown University recalls
an Interesting fact not heretofore pub
ished, and which adds some strength TO
the probabilities of an acceptance by Dr.
Whitman.
The matter of the rulnored change was
talked over yesterday with two OF the
trustees Of Columbian. In the course of
conversation with Rev. DR.. c. a. Stakeley
of the First Baptist Church, he said that
when the committee of the trustees went
70 Watertown TO interview DR.. Whitman
TO ask him to accept the plae here, there
was an influence even then at work origi'
mating at Brown University TO hold DR..
Whitman in reserve. DIR. Whitman is one
of the most distinguished alumni OF Brown
University, and he has been regarded as in
the, line of succession to its presidency.
This incident shows that IL is not at all
unlikely that Dr. Whitman Is the presi-
dent most desired for his alma ma ter.
IL is well known that DR.. Whitman is
particularly wen qualified for the presi-
dency of Brown University, from the stand
point OF fiscal economy and ethics, for that
learned and accomplished president is a
gold rnan," and Republican, perforce
He has not, however, ohtruded his
monometallic views oil anybody, but, as
intimated, if money is to be made the issue
at Brown rather than mathematics or
metaphysics DR.. Whitman would suit many
of the trustees of Brown marvelously well.
sc cot f,aa ii 10
the trustees of Columbian University. Mr..
Charles W. Needham, one of the most
prominent members of the board. said
that the report was as yet not ,ounded well
enough TO require serious comment, but if
it. were true it would be considered re-
gretfully by the management of the institu-
\ tion.
DR.. whitman, he said, had already done
/ substantial W 1rk for Columbian Uniyers-
itys and he had III mind certain plans
which would be realized at no very dis
tdnt time. This fact appeared to him to
indicate that DR.. whitman did not have
| the suggested change in view. The ru-
mor was not a very new one. He had
heard it i'm New York a week ago.
II was said in New York that the desire
to secure DR.. Whitman was strong be-
cause he is graduate OF Brown and In
full sympathy with It's history and tradi-
| tions. There is another reason why DR..
Whitman might be attracted to Brown.
II is an institution essentially "educa'
tional" in the technical sense of the word,
and that quality is one particularly con-
genial to otheactiyities and progressiyes spirit
| OF the Columbian president, whose present
| care is that of a university president.
wider and more generous field, but less
active than that ofthe technical teacher" F"
All of those considerations will scarcely
weigh, however, against the fact that Prof
Whitman was elected to his present office.
the distinguished scholar to be Just a S much
Of permanent Institution as the university
itself. Mr.. Needham classifies the news as
| bad"
President Whitman is away just now ut
| jamestown, r. 1.