New-York tribune., 1906-06-03

within the last few years there has been a
marked change in the attitude of the South
toward popular education. Where once little
thought was given TO public instruction, now the
principle that every child IS entitled 10 edu-
cation IS accepted More public money is being
appropriated every year for school purposes
The question of compulsory education is being
aRitated. The school term is being heightened
Hundreds OF log schoolhousessare being replaced
by modern structures. and ia places where there
were once no public schools tiloy are now being
erected and the attendance is Increasing
Among the men who have had considerable 20
do with this change in attiIude-although he
would disclaim it hinlself-is Robert c Ogden.
president OF the board Of trustees of Hampton
institute. president OF the General Education
Board. president OF the Southern Education
Board, president OF the Conference for Educa-
tion in the South. a trustee Of Tuskegee nsti-
tute, and head Of the New York store of John
wanasnal1er. One of Mr.. Ogden's contributions
TO the cause of Southern education is the special
train on which he has taken each year since 1900
c party OF Northern leaders Of thought TO the
educational conferences in the South
HE THRIVES on HARD WORK
One would~aeper imagine from hts energy and
ths amount OF responsibility which he carries.
apparezz1ly with such ease that Mr.. Ogden is
phaa IN 1885, Nearly SIX feet IN height, he has
the poise OF q man on the other side of forty.
There IS q crispness about his beard-almost
white and cut in the oldfashioned style-that
serVesrto emphasize the impression OF exactness
Of p1Eoose and precision OF execution which his
whole manner conveys. As any visitor TO his
1nfTins <Vo1lid md. he has task for every
s15eut He seems never 10 tire
II ss~Ghe striking thing about Mr.. Ogden that he
ing o
srfIng another IN the conduct of great business.
oru of.Sletails and requiring constant supervision
should be willing TO give literally OF his organizing
ability and his valuable time TO the solution Of
Sensational problems It IS IN this respect that
ne IS different from other phlanthropists. They
are usually men OF wealth ana can give OF their
funds. He Is not rechoned as man Of great
wealth lie gives his time instead
Diversity said a close friend, seems 10 be
MS recreation. His brother, Colonel Willis L.
Ogden, and others tried TO disSuade him from
undertaking the task of organizing the business
here when Mr.. Wanannaker took over the HiIton-
Hughes store ten years ago Colonel Ogden said
70 him. What asylum do you prefer TO go toy
but he seems 10 thrive work"
Mr.. Ogden IS reticent when asked TO give an
account Of his career. He does not seek the lime
light Doubtless the average patron of the great
store OF which be is the active head, If asked
who managed Il. would be unable 10 answer Inc
publicity his name has acquired has been gained
chiefly through his interest in Southern educa-
tion and the promineIN part he plays IN IT,
once at least, he did tell something or his
career for publication in a magazine he began
this interview by summing up his business lie
I have not been out Of employment for
dav in over fifty years." said Mr.. Ogden, nor
has IA eyer been necessary for me 10 ask for a
position / have had my share Of hard knocks
Al one time I suffered serious reverses ana lost
7nonev. but I never owed q dollar in my life, or
failed 10 meet an obligation To succeed, a man
must De confident and aggressive, must laugh al
discouraeements and reverses, and with a dis
ripct determination and persistency, he must
gather his mental resources and stupDorhly Forge
ahead
My boyhood was spent in Philadelphia one
Of the schools which ] attended, Thomas d.
Jamoss private school was situated at nth ana
Market streets. / was an honest sort OF boy, ana
7vls forever getting into trouble for telling the
truth When. some few years ago. ! was asked
10 take charge OF Mr. Wanamakers wholesale
store then conducted by the firm Hood, Bon
bright a Co. II flashed across my mind as
coincidence that the building occupied the site
where the old school stood, and where received
so many deserved 1ickings' Turning 10 Colonel
Hood / said. TO his heNiderment.
" Colonel this corner has sad memories. VIII
I be expected 10 take many lickngs here as
of old? II / shall, I would like 10 give the mat
ter consideration.