The Washington times., 1903-10-18
PROCTOR FOR HEAD OF
VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Influential Interests Sup
port Him for Position.
WOULD BRING PRESTIGE
Alumni Favors Election of Civil Service
Commissioner Because of His Abil-
ity and Acquaintance.

Alumni and others interested in the
welfare of the University of Virginia
are considering the question of the Sc
lection Of proper man as president Of
the institution, and John r. Proctor is
receiving the support of a large follow
ing for the office.
The friends of the institution believe
the man selected as its head should be
man Of such standing. prominence and
ability that he could not only handle
administrative matters in a satisfactory
manner. but could interest wealthy
philanthropists In the needs of the uni
versity for a greater endowment with
which to extend its scope and useful
ness.
Would Rejuvenate College.
The activities of the famous seat Of
learning have been greatly limited in
recent years because of the dearth of
funds. and II is felt on all sides that IL
old Virginia IS TO keep up with the pro-
cession she must have more money.
Mr.. Proctor IS not an alumnus of the
school. but is one OF it's warmest friends
and those who are urging his candidacy
say that he is just the sort of prominent
official and man of wide influence who
could accomplish much in it's rejuvena-
ton.
Following is a brief account of his
long and distinguished career:
John r. Proctor. geologist, was born
In Mason county, Kentucky, March Is.
1874; descended on the side of both
father and mother from soldiers OF Vir-
ginia in the Revolution; received his
primary education in the county in
which he was born; took the scientific
course in the University of Pennsyl-
vania. and left to join the Confederate
army in 1868. serving in the artillery un-
til the close OF the war
He married Julia Leslie Dobvns. and
has three sons; one of whom Andre Nor
ton. is lieutenant in the United States
Navy; another. John r., jr., lieutenant
In the artillery, United States Army.
Both Of these sons served in the Span
| ish-American war.
After serving during the war he re-
turned 10 his home farm in Kentucky.
where he remained until 1873. when he
received the appointment of assistant
on the geological survey of the State.
| In 1850 Prof. Shaler, of Harvard Uni
versity, who until then was State geolO-
/ gist. resigned Upon Prof. ShaIer's rec
ommendation Mr.. Proctor was appointed
to fill the vacancy. and he continu-
ed TO serve at the head Of the sur
vey until its close in 1893.
A Reformer at Heart.
During his service as State geologist
he refused to make appointments as re-
wards for political services. maintain
ing that merit and not partisan activity,
/ should constitute the necessary qualifi-
/ cations for the public service. He re-
/ fused. even at the dictatioa or mem
| bers OF the State Legislature, to remove
competent assistants who happened to
be Of the opposite political party.
In this course he was sustained by al
of the several governors of the State
under whom he served until 1893 when
the governor at that time wished him
to make appointments for personal and
political reasons. Mr.. Proctor resisted
this and advised that the survey be
closed rather than be usec as a machine
for advancing the political interests OF
anyone by making the offices spoils
TO be let out to partisan favorites.
He was appointed TO serve on the
jury of awards on mines and mining al
the Worlds Exposition at Chicago, and
acted in that capacity until his appoint
ment, on December ?. 1888. as Civil Ser
vice Commissioner. Mr.. Procter's ap-
| On lAe NDillillSSlOn WIS 6CN
by President Roosevelt. then a Civil
Service Commissioner, who. when in
Kentucky, had learned of Mr.. Proctor
vigorous and practical application Of
reform methods in the face of adverse
conditions.
The President and he became col
leagues on the commission from 1S9
until Roosevelt's resignation in 1895.
During Mr.. ProcteI-s service on thu
commission. the number Of positions
subject to the merit system has in
creased from 1900 to 10000 He inter
ested himself especially in obtaining
in 1896 the Withdrawal OF positions o.
chief clerks and chiefs % divisions from
the spells system, and they are nov
filled by the promotion, or transfer. o.
trained men within the classified ser
vice.
Nine annual reports have been ISSUED
by the commission during his term o.
| service. showing the marked gain which
the new system has made. A numbei
of Mr. Procters publications are con
nected with his work on the Geological
Survey.