New-York tribune., 1903-07-05

the world. has been demonstrated at Harvard WIN
in the last few years. Comparatively few colored
youths have studied at Cambridge within the last
decade-fewer comparatively than Japanese or
youths of another raee-yet from this small mum
Der some one is constantly standing forth for ms
prowess either the intellectual or athletic neld
This year, as usual. the negro has distinguished
himself
On commencement day IL colored boy VINO
figured conspicuously orator. and in each Of
the Harvard-YaIe baseball games It colored
youngster who seemed to be doing good share OF
the batting and fielding fer the Crimson team
The one who had a commencement part this year
was Leslie P. Hill. of Orange. n. J. Hill was
quiet student, but was popular on account OF MS
wit. humor and good nature. In his freshman year
he succeeded In making his class debating team,
and in his sophomore year was honored by his
classmates by being elected president of the sopho
debating society. Last year he won the
Boylston debating prize, and this year, In return
for his diligence. he received a prominent Engiisn
part on the commencement programme.
Hill born in Lyuchburg Va, and is twenty
three years old. At the age OF sixteen his family
went to Orange. n. J., where he was graduated In
1SsS being orator of his class. While at Harvard
he made specialtes OF English and philosophy. and
he intends to continue the work next year. In ad-
dtion. he will work on sociological subjects with
the object in view of teaching his race.
Hill is not the only negro who has succeeded
along intellectual lines at Harvard although. OF
like white boys. many have spent four years
at Cambridge and gone away unknown. Roscoe
Conkling Bruce also distinction as a scholar.
and, like Hill was distinguished by being made one
of the leading officers of his class.
Bruce undoubtedly one of the best orators
that Harvard has ever had. OF exceptional figure
and personality. he had clear. sweet voice power
and persuasiveness above the ordinary. AS a mem
Der of the varsity debating team which defeated
Yale he a national reputation for his oratory,
and great was his popularity at Harvard that
for, the first time in the history OF the university
ne colored man. was elected class day off,
Ger. filling the position of orator for his class.
Bruce was named after Roscoe Conkling, as the
result of noble act when the young mans father
Senator Bruce. first entered the Senate At the
time the feeling against negroes was so strong that
no one would escort the new member his seat
until Senator Conkling arose. and. giving Senator
Bruce his arm. walked with him down the aisle
amid the silence Of the rest
In his college course Bruce paid special attention
to philosophy. and Is giving his life to the
betterment of his race. Already he has made a
name for himself as worker along this line and
Harvard men, at least. look on him as the Booker
T. Washington Of the next generation
Another who has distinguished himself at Har-
ward this year Is William Clarence Matthews the
shortstop, whose home run and two bagger vir-
tually won the first Of the Harvard-Yale baseball
series for Harvard this year, and whose PLAYING
was also a feature of the second game. Matthews
has played football and baseball while at college
and it is not stretching the truth to say that he
is one OF the most popular athletes in the univer
sity.
Matthews was born In Montgomery Ala where
after attending the public schools. he entered the
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute Tus-
kegee. Ala. TO be graduated after a four years
course in 1897. While in this school he first bepn
to show evidences OF that athletic ability which
was later 10 distinguish him in his preparatory
school and college life. The football and baseball
teams OF the Tuskegee institution had him for can
TAIN and ne easily led all his companions in these
two sports.
In the fall Of 1897 Matthews entered Phillips
Andover. and at once jumped into athletic promi-
nence. making left end on the football team, in
ms nrst season and getting position the base
ball nine easily.
1t was as baseball player that he gained his
greatest reputation. In his first year he made" the
nine. He was the only man 70 be taken on and
later he so excelled in batting. base running and
neldinS that he earned the reputation OF being
the best shortstop in the preparatory school world
He also ran the Andover track team in his
last two years there, and was able TO cover the
IW ana 2zO yard dashes in faster time than the
star sprinters of many small colleges
When Matthews came to Harvard there was con.
siderable speculation TO just what his reception
would be All knew of his ability but some won
deFed whether or not his color would prevent him
from achieving any great athletic success That
which followed, however. soon showed that Har-
ward Is decidedly democratic. impartial and lust
Inc nFst fall he was here Matthews, as fresh
man came within an ace OF making the varsity
football eleven. and the following spring he fairly
anu squdrely made the baseball nine, out of
large held OF competitors BY his timely hit in the
ninth inning he won an eternal name for himself
IN Harvards athletic history by bringing in the
final and winning in the deciding game Of the
Yale series at New-York. BarnweH Yale's centre
ne!der, was Southerner. he was al Andover
while Matthews was, and a member OF the
same baseball nine refused to sit at the same
training table with his fellow athlete. The fact
that Barnwen later 10 Yale making the
baseball nine there. undoubtedly strongly inhu-
enced Matthews in his decision TO go to Harvard
Yale also has more Southern students than Har
ward
Matthews's popularity has been more than once
tested at Harvard. In 1902. it will be remembered
when Harvards nine was its Southern trip.
the University OF Virginia refused 10 play the
Crimson unless Matthews withdrawn. This
was done. against the most vigorous protests OF
Captain Wendell. but IL Significant that no
game with Virginia arranged this year
Captain Clarkson had ideas Of his own about
playing the best men on his team. and this year
with Wendell acting head coach. Harvard made
express stpulations that she should be permitted
70 play what men she chose on her nine The FIRST
test OF this case up at Georgetown. One of
Georgetowns best players is native Of Mat
thews's birthplace. He objected but Clarkson held
firm. Matthews would play or Harvard would not
was his decision, and Georgetown respected it. The
same question came up at West Point. with the
result.
The fact that Matthews is a negro does how
ever. influence his college career Were he white
there is little doubt that he would have made all
the leading societies, OF Of which Is ne a
member the present time. Then too. he would
senior year, whereas now Hugh Herman the left
fielder nd hrofhar oS s.Pobs Learrau a. S..--..-