New-York tribune., 1901-10-27

the Tushegee college has fOrty-six buildinrs on
Its 2.5oo acres of land, and 200 pupils. repre-
sehnhS twenty-seven States, are being taught
Ia the institution A new hospital is building, a
carnegie library is under way and a new dormi-
tory, the gift Of John D. Rockefeller viii soon
become part of the institution The students
receive instruction not only in the ordinary
school branches, but in twenty-eght industries,
each pupll selecting the one for which he is best
AIleo or toward which he has the greatest in
cAnatlon In his book. Up From Slavery" Mr.
washington says: From the very beginning, at
Iuskegee. L was determined to have the stu
dents DO not only the agricultural and domestic
Work, but to have them erect their own build
lngs' This plan has been carried out TO the
present day, and the institution grows the
list of negro mechanics increases.
washington had seen the people of his race
work in "headless" way, and determined
to better their condition in that respect My
place was he said mot TO teach them to work
I'm the old way, but TO show them how to make
the forces of nature-air, steam water and cleo
tricity-assist them in their labor" Washing
ton set his people a good example as a work
man and as a practical exponent of the prin-
cipes which he taught. His daughter Portia
VINO is now a student Wellesley College
learned the dressnaking trade while at the
Tuskesee institution. and his eldest son, who is
now thirteen years old has been working at the
brick masons trade several years without cur
failing his regular school course. He has a
younger son who thinks himself ''cut out" TO be
a physician. The boy goes TO school at Tus-
kegee, but also works in the Office of a physi-
elan. and hopes TO rise from Office boy to the
position OF real doctor" The older boy
Booker TallafeTro. has ambition IN the direction
OF al architects Office, and Mr.. Washington
takes pride III showing a letter in which the
little fellow writes: Il like my work much
that want 20 work at my trade all day. Be
sides L want TO earn all the money L can, so
that when go 10 another school / shall have
money TO Pay ~ expenses
Ia the spr.:y OF 1896, according to Mr. Wash
ington's words came TO him the greatest sur
prise OF his life in the form of a letter from
President Eliot OF Harvard University asking
the negro president OF Tuskegee to be present at
Cambridge at the next commencement 10 re-
ceive the degree which Harvard Intended
confer upon iim. At that time he shared the
hcnOrs witt: General Miles. DIR. Bell. Bishop
Vincent and Dr. Savage. and growis went up
similar 10 those which have been heard from the
South since the dinner the White House
tool: place. At that time. now. he be-
sieged by people who wanted him 10 talk on the
subject but then, now. his reply was, Il
have nothing say" But he returned TO Tus-
kegee, spoke loudly and often his people of
making themselves worthy Of recognition. and
by way of leading the column in that direction
doubled his work in the interests of his school
4 formed resolution he wrote, in the
secrecy Of my heart that i would try build up
a school that would be of so much service to the
country that the President Of the United States
would day come to it. This a bold
resolution. and for a number of years ! kept it
hidden iu my thoughts, daring share
il with any one" This dream realized, and
the visit Of President Mckinley and his Cabinet
10 the school in December 1898. is the brightest
spot in the history Of the institution. 1t took
many years of hard work the institu-
tion and gain for il public recognition. Mr..
Washington said, but the Endorsement of the
men who gathered about him in the chapel that
day ample compensation.
There is nothing which Booker T. Washing
ton is enthusiastic than the Tuskegee
school, With the exception Of his family. The
thing in my life" he says, which brings me the
keenest regret is that my work in connection
with public affairs keeps me for so much of the
time away from my family, where, of all places
in the world delight to be. / always envy the
individual who spend his evenings at home.
/ have sometimes thought that people who nave
this rare privilege do not appreciate ii as they
should"