Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-18
FROM NEW YORK.
COIored Men in White
Classes--They Receive
Degrees.
REMARKABLE ENERGY
BRILLIANT RECORDS.
Much Enthusiasm Shown By an Unprej-
udlced Audience.
NEW York CRY. June 10, '9S

The New York University held its
Anniversary exercises last night in the
Metropolitan Opera House. In spite
of the heat which was most oppressive.
the house was crowded to its fullest
comfortable capacity.
Degrees were conferred on about
$50 students from the departments OF
Arts. Philosophy, Pedagogy and Law
Re espectively. 1t was very enthusiast
tic gathering and as the names OF the
different candidates for degrees we're
called and an applause was started for
him by some of his friends it was
usually Joined in by the whole audi
ence.
Prof. G. ID. Ashley, dean Of the Law
Dapartment received such an ovation
when he came on the stand to confer
the degrees in law as proved conclu
sively that he was the most popular
man in the University faculty.
A very interesting feature OF the
evening was the presence on the stage
with the faculty and alumni OF ME. j..
III. Atkins, one OF the two first colored
men who have graduated from the law
department of the University. Mr..
Atkins, though small in statue is ex-
ceedingly dark and was peculiarly no
ticeable as he sat among the hundred
or more of the faculty and graduates.
He graduated from Hampton few
years ago and came north where ne
successfully pursued the study OF law
Graduating with the class of '97. MIR
Atkins contemplates practicing hit
profession in Chicago.
But IL Mr.. Atkins was prominent
figure on the stage, Mr.. James II. Hill
ton. the only colored man to receive I
Idepree this year was equally proml
Inent among the students. Mr.. BiltoT
is about twenty six years OF age, anC
Is Virqinian by birth and education
Having been born in the county o
Chesterfield in that State and educat
ed at the Hampton Institute. III
graduated there in 1895 as valedictori
an of his class His address on tha
occasion created some copment. Ii
chose for his subject on that occasion
North or South, Which, and wen
on to show that in spite OF the grea
Iamount of Southern prejudice, tn
lSouth was the best place for any col
Iored man whe desired TO make a nam
for himself aud to be of service TO hl
Ipeople-
Mr.. IiIton is very tall, measuring si
fleet and two inches bl own skinned an
of an exceeding modest and retirln
Ldisposition. He has always had di,
like to publicity, never, IL he coul
lprevent il, allowing his name to appes
lin q newspaper. Yet he is man VIII
has proven himself to have gres
lstrength OF will and invincible deter
Imination. He taught school for tw
Years in a mining town IN Virgin
lWhere he won the encomiums OF II
Ioficials by the successful manner
(which he conducted it and the strl
discipline he maintained.
At Hampton he never allowed bin
self to be elected to any OF the otilc
lin the class organization, never pl
himself forward in anything, yet
was recognized by both the faculty al
lstudents as the potent influence whit
Icontrolled all class actions. he h
the bull. dog tenacity which when
once takes hold never let's go until
= has accomplished his purpose.
He worked his way through Hampto
g. filling the position of ianitor, and
graduating there came to New or
got situation as janitor OF the st
y dents club in June and in October g
tered on his studies at the New 70
U. Law School.
ay To get an idea of his push and enc
qy it is only necessary to rememb
that as janitor of the Students Gu
9 his work was to keep the furnace a
three other fires going, TO scrub t
Idining room floor and halls twice
week, to wash the eighteen windows
ed the house every week, TO make eig
to teen beds every day, to keep the fol
th teen rooms of the house busted q
swept and do the incidental repairi
about the house. We must not forG
that he was competing with you
men who for the most part could spe
as much time studying as they desir
to, In his junior year at the Univer
Ia ty only 56 out of 200 students in
lr- class passed in every study. He
Ith one of the Sc. In his senior year
A. of a class of about 200 only la graz
let ated. He was one of the Ia.
or, Mr.. Hilton has had his home in Ne
ark. N. j., for seven or eight yes
led One of his brothers has been on
on- letter carriers force there for abb
M ten years Another brother, Edwa
he a first-class mechanic is the only
os. ored man employed in the lmme
;. shops of the Consolidated Tract
d. Company.
tn, While Mr.. Hilton has only succe
Cd. ed in preparing himself for his Ii
ap- work, vet what he has accomplished
j. the face of overwhelming difficultie
an example of what may be done
push, energy, patience and perseN
nd ance. We extend to him our heart
NJ: wishes for his success.
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