The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-09
Prsf. Marx W. Harrington a. Sc
attic Friends Know Him.
4 so,Gmr,sT or n,on RANK.


080&kG028
1as dismissal Of Pref Marx w. Hasrfng-
ton from thu weather bureau servfce on
aoceunt Of alleged insanity. and OF tho
bitter controversy growing out Of that
action on the part OF the department ~
Washington, have caused . profound stir
In the highest social circles Of Seattle
Pref Harrington. AZ president OF the
state university. resided here less than
two years. bat In that time became ex-
tresu4Iy popular with the most cultured
peopls In the city, who are surprised be-
yond measure at the charges now made
against him. Especial sympathy - ex-
pressed for him on account OF his wife.
who II well remembered here - one Of
tho most brilliant women who have 90
Jossrned In Seattle In times past.
During their residence here Prof. and
NTs- Harrington occupied the Whiting
ton residence on the corner Of Seneca
street and Minor avenue. and were re-
Gefsed into tbs inner circles Of society.
They lived In the best Of atyia, enter
taaned often and well and made hundreds
OF friends by their hospitality. As
hestess. II n said. Mrs. Harrington had
few eQuals.
While prof. Harrinston's admsnistra-
ton Of tbs affairs Of the university has
often been criticised. no IN favorabIy re-
msmbsrsd by the students Of that insti-
tutfon on account Of the interest he took
In their personal Affairs and on account
Of his social qualities. With his policy
as president OF thu institution. however.
the students under him were not wholly
pleased.
The principal complaint among them
was that. instead OF a policy. he had .
lack Of policy. and that complaint found
q strong ccho among the members OF the
faculty under him. Even Pref Harring-
tons best friends In this city doubt
whether he had the executive ability nee
sssary 10 the management Of the affairs
OF the university. although a man OF un-
eisputed ability In other directions.
Prof. Harrington was called 70 the
presid0pcy Of the university In the fall
OF 1855 by the last Republican board OF
reagents. The new building at Brooklyn
had Just been completed. and the board
was on the lookout for man OF national
reputation to become the head OF the
school upon the retirement OF Prof r. NJ
Catch. Ho held the office until In the
cary spring or 1891. when he was removed
by the Popuiist regents appointed by
Gov. Rogers. who took office in thu early
part Of that year.
The aght on President Harrington was
leG by the late John Wiley. TO whom a.
regent Prof. Harripgton's pronounced Re-
puhlieanism was especially distasteful. The
consequence was that the presidents head
under the Populistfc AK.
Prof. Harrington Is man OF more than
middle age and has had varied career He
WAS barn N Illincia afsd raised on farm
~ he was accustomed to tell with pride
70 the university students here He re-
ceived his education 1T Ana Arbos. M.ch
His SPECIAL hobby was astronomy and after
graduating he occupied the chair OF as
fronomy At that Institution and attained
rank among the first astronomers OF the
nation.
Prof. Harrington also took a great inter-
est In physics ard taught that branch at
Ann Arhor, While thus engaged In iSas,
ne nrst showed II Is said. symptoms of
his present mental trouble An intimate
friend OF his who knew him well at that
time says that he suffered terribly from
Insomnia and was finally compelled 20
fes.xn his position and 20 TO Mexico for
his health, fearing 70 lose his mind by re-
manning az his post longer
He spen. the greater part of the year
1895 In travelling and among other sections
Of the country visites Puget Sound and
was ia Seattle ~ SPECIAL agent of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company After
leaving Ann Arhor Prof. Harrington wen,
TO China and was Instructor In one Of the
great imperial military academies At s.f-
fercnt times he traveled In Europe arr.
cthcr countries and was able 10 converse
apoN Interestingly regarding them
gVrcf. Harrington was always actively in~
eefestea In politics and held high positions
under the national government lie II best
remembered through his connection with
sha weather bureau as chief from 1891 IN
axe. Long residences At Washington ard
association with the great men Of the ma
ton gave Prof. Harrington remarkable
pcwers "a conversationaslst. People who
knew him we'll while he was I'm Seattle
speak OF him as n most entertaining taiker
As president Of the university Pref Har-
rington received salary Of xesa and lived
IN luxurious style. as his friends car ses-
SNY After he was removed from his pa-
slsion his wife and thtrteen-year-olf son
went east and he himself went to Austria
Tia for the hensht OF hts health and thence
On around Fae world. Upon returning 10
the TRls-ss States he resumed his counac-