New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-03
NEW HEAD OF COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF EW-Y0RK.
CHARACTERISTIC INCIDENTS IN CAREER OF DIR.
FINLEY AT PRINCETON.

Princeton. y j. May (speciaD.-John Huston
Finley LII D. professor of politics in Princeton
University and president elect of the College OF the
City of New York is one Of the best examples OF
the modern all around college man that can be
found.
Professor Finlev's name will be longest remem-
bered at Princeton connection with the duplicate
French Chamber of Deputies. which he instituted
in addition his regular course in politics fun
account of which given recently In The
Tribune. The purpose of such a department was
to give the students more accurate and prac-
teal knowledge of how the original Chamber Is
conducted 1t the only thing of the kind that
was ever organized and successfully carried out in
any American college up to this year except
duplicate Of the House of Representatives Of the
United States introduced by Woodrow Wilson
while a professor in Johns Hopkins.
The existence of the Chamber aroused such in
in France itself that of the leading jour
nails of Paris wrote to Princeton for picture of
the students IN session. The students were the
members and the professor was the president Of
this Princeton Chamber. The method for dismiss
ing this body for disorderly conduct is for the
president 20 put his hat and walk out. laugh
was therefore always raised when Professor Fin
ley would saurter into the room and lay down his
hat In a conspicuous place where II easily ac-
cessibe. There was never any occasion for resort
ing to this expedient. however.
Richly endowed IN mental faculties the City Col
leges new president possesses the additional trait
of great physical strength, and he has accom-
pfshed numerous featS that required Wonder1uI
endurance Few undergraduates-not 10 speak OF
college presidents-can cover fifty miles foot in
a single day yet this is a record made by professor
Finley in the White Mountains last summer Ere
ouently he takes two-mile run through the cOun-
try north of Princeton for mere diversion While
In Porto Rico a few years ago his cross country
strolIs amounted to two hundred miles.
It of his customary walks during MS
three years professorship in Princeton that FRO
lessor Finley had notable experience While
oosC IQrOCLy
Revolutionary fame to the west of Princeton. he
did not notice an opening in the surface which the
fee cutters had left until he suddenly dropped INTO
ten feet Of water. No help was at hand. and Tor a
moment the professors plight was desperate.
Luckily he had a staff by the aid of which he was
able to keep his head above until he could get
his top of the ice; then the future college
president by sheer physical strength raised himself
much increased in weight by wet clothing, 10 the
top of the frozen surface in safety
Professor Finley visited Princeton first as a mem
Der Of the Johns Hopkins football team. in 1889
At right guard he gave Princetons left guard
House" Janeway, one Of the hardest nights OF his
life. and this was only his second year or RUGBY
having previously played the old fashioned Amer
lean game in the West before coming to Johns
Hopkins. The year before he prevented from
playing the entire season on account of a broken
collarbone and two fractured ribs. The well known
Paul DashielI his captain during these two
years
The cold of winter seldom reaches such degree
that Professor Finley is wearing an Overcoat
overshoes In this respect he is strong rival
of the average undergraduate, he seems to de-
light in defying the elements
In the fall OF 1871, when a shadow Of gloom was
suddenly cast over our country because of the blow
struck her bv the assassination of President Nc
KinIev there was no one in Princeton whose heart
was made heavier when he heard the news than
the uartyred Presidents personal friend-Professor
Finley He was one of the first OF Princetons cltl-
zens to hear the sad news. Increased distress was
inevitable in his case because Of his intimate friend
ship with the injured head of the nation He was
passiug by the Postal Telegraph office when the
news arrived and the shock sustained so
great that he could not rest. He went to Phila-
dephia, where he anxiously read the bulletins on
the Presidents condition all night. About a week
later when the President at the point OF
death he watched the bulletins in Princeton until
nearly midnight and then went to a room in the
Nassau Hotel near by. for a short sleep. When
awakened by messenger at l o'clock and told that
Mr. Mckinley dying he aroused himself and
said: 1T is no time for to be sleeping when the
President is dying. What terrible loss this will
he 10 our country When at last there came the
news of the death of the Chief Executive Pro-
fessor Finley said: It's all over: God knows best
A few days after ne assisted President Wilson and
ex-President Grover Cleveland in doing honor to
the dead President a memorial service.
Since he has been the incumbent Of the Chair OF
Politics at Princeton DR.. Finley has formed many
friendships He is on intimate terms with Mr..