The times., 1899-12-28


ment Among the Friends of the In
stitution-other OticinI Errors
Charge ged-RepIy of His Supporters.
Howard University is likely 10 be The
centre Of much attention, and the subject
Of much heated discussion in educa-
tional circles and possibly even in Con
gress in the coming few weeks. a move
ment to protest against the methods of
the president Of the institution, Rev. J. e.
Rankin, D. D., which many allege to be
highly inimicaI to its best inter Gests, is
on foot among the students, faculty, and
alumni and friends of the university. 1t
is suggested that the fight against Dr..
Rankin may even 90 so far that Congress
will be asked to cut Oft the annual ap-
preparation of the institution, amounting
to $4,000 Dr.. Rankin's friends ass rt
that the charges against him are trumped
up by disappointed colored men, who have
fGiIed to secure positions in the university,
or who wish for better po-iions for them
selves or their friends 1t cannot be
learned who are in the majority, enemies
or friends, but both sides express strong
opinions very freely.
The immediate cause of the present agi-
tation was the appointment last Saturday
Of Miss Edith Rankin, daughter Of the
president, to a position as teacher in the
normal department. 1t is stated by those
opposed to Dr.. Rankin t1at there were
~,
more experience and qualification Than
Miss Rankin. II is said further hal DR..
Rankin created special committee Of four
from the board OF trustees to make the
appointment, in order to give it a sem
b.ance Of validity, but that the commit
tee was so constituted as to make the
choice of DR.. Rankin's daughter a Ger
tainty.
This alleged method of putting his per-
sOnal friends into positions. and in the
same way OF getting rid OF those who Op-
pose him, has been, it is said practiced by
him for a long time and he is able to and
does dictate the entire policy Of the uni
yersity.
The appointment of Miss Rankin is
grievance to many of the students and
faculty. also in that it replaces colored
instructor with a white teacher.
II is alleged that DR.. Rankin has pursued
the policy Of appointing white teachers
always where possible, whereas an institu-
ton for the colored race should instead
give all possible preference to competent
coored men and women.
The position now occupied by Miss Ran
kin is that formerly held by Miss Ella
Smith, a young colored woman, who has
been teaching at the university for several
years. Miss Smith resigned to be married
one Of the most prominent was Hugh H
Cook, a young colored man. and a Cornell
graduate, who is said 10 have excellent
recommendations from his former instruc-
tor and others
Miss Rankin, it is said. has had little if
any experience as a eacher, and is not
university graduate
1t is stated by friends OF DR. Rankin that
the appointment of his daughter is only a
temporary one, until the semt-annual meet
ing of the board of trustees or possibly
until the end of the present school year
when a qualified instructor viii be secured.
The opposing faction answers this by the
statement that Miss Flora Johnson the
present librarian Of the university was ap-
pointed in the same way two years ago.
ostensibly only temporarily.
This instance Of the appointment OF Miss
Johnson as librarian is also the basis OF
one OF the chief complaints against DR..
Rankin. There were several applicants for
the position Of librarian, then vacant one
a young woman highly recommended by
Senator Lodge, and another Mrs Henry NJ.
Baker, of this city Miss johnson was the
daughter Of the former treasurer Of the
university Ii is stated that Senator
Lodge and others interested in tho ap-
pointment were told that the position was
10 be filed by a competitive examination,
but that when the examination was held
Miss Johnson had lower marks than those
OF any other candidate. She received the
position despite this alleged fact with the
understanding, it is said that the appoint
ment was only temporary one
II is alleged also that Dr. Rankin s
methods have resulted in the appointment
and retention of interior teachers in a
disorganized and discordant faculty, and
an entire lack Of college spirit among the
students, and thus in a rapid deteriora-
tion of the work Of the university AS an
instance Of this, it is stated that on sew
eral occasions in recent years students
have been allowed 10 graduate and re
ceive degrees who were not in any way
fitted fer these hon0rs. in order that the
classes might make a good showing in
numbers
Dr. Rankin has been the president of
Howard for about ten years. He has been
considered a friend of the colored race.
and has been prominent as a speaker and
writer on the race problem. He is a
( Congregatonalist minister. The salary OF
his position is 81, 600 a year in addition
10 which he is furnished with a residence
in the university grounds, and has other
]