The times., 1899-12-28

perquisites. The government OF the insJ-
tuition is vested in a board Of trustees,
twenty three in number. who hold their
positions indefinitely The board is COM
posed of the following: Charles H. How
ard George w Balloch Francis II. Smith,
Zalmon Richards Rev. William Waring,
William Ballantyne, Rev. i. J. Grimke,
John J. Cook Rev. DR.. Michael r. E.'Strieby,
Adam s. Pratt. r. NJ Gallaudet. LII D.;
Rev. c. H. Richards, Rev. b. 7. Tanner,
J. b. Bernard. Mai. Gen. o. O. Howard,
Henry E. PeIew OTIS f. Presbrey, B. II.
Warner, James II. MerriweJher, John R.
Lynch. John Eaton, and Rev DR. Teunis
S Hamlin
It is said that the larger part OF this
board pay scant attention to The affairs of
the university, leaving almost the entire
management and policy to DR.. Rankin.
1t is known that several of the members
do not approve OF the course that the presi-
dent has taken n many instances but in
general the feeling Of those interviewed re-
garding the complaints against him is that
he has filed his position acceptably.
The opponents Of Dr. Rankin state that
this is because they have not taken The
trouble TO inform themselves eNcep. in
perfunctoTy way through Or. Rankin him
self Of the university affairs.
Trustee Balloch, friend of DR.. Rankin,
said yesterday:
There are always dissensions and dis
cords in Howard. The colored people are
constitutional dissenters and radically dis
cordant They fight among themselves
quite as much as they do against the white
race. They are always striving for power.
| The colored professors at Howard are many
of them friendly to Dr. Rankin, probably
most OF them. Others believe that a col
ored man should be president instead Of
/ Dr. Rankin One of the professors at least
| desires the place for himself
"It is my belief that If the university
! were turned over to the colored people en-
/ tirely it would 20 TO pieces in two years.
4 It has been the policy of Dr.. Rankin and
/ OF the board to appoint the best people OBJ
/ tainable for the university for the salaries
/ paid. irrespective of whether they were
! white or colored
"As 10 the appointment Of Miss Rankin.
/ it is only temporary. The semi annual
meeting OF the board will take place on
I January II. Miss Smith handed in her
resignation a few days ago, and IL was
! necessary TO fill the position Immediately
/ until the board meeting. Miss Rankin has
| on several occasions acted as instructor at
! the university gratuitously, and it was sug-
/ gested that she be given the place. spe-
! cial committee, of which l was member,
declaed that she was inc most a'dllap'e
candidate.
"A part of Miss Smiths duties are also
/ TO be performed by Mrs. George Cook, who
/ is at present an instructor.
DR.. Rankin is in correspondence with a
/ young woman, a teacher at Straight Uni
! versity, New Orleans, and a graduate Of
/ MiddIebury College Vermont, with which
! she was formerly connected. I understand,
/ however. that she cannot leave her present
| position until the end Of the school year.
! This may make 1t necessary for Miss Ran
kin to hold the place Of teacher during the
remainder Of the year.
AS to the charge that students have
1 been allowed to graduate who were not
fitted TO do so / am sure that nothing Of
the kind has occurred. Every candidate
| for graduation must be certified as COM
petent by Inc entire faculty before the
! board Of trustees takes action on his case. -