Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-14
DIR. WASHINGTON AND HOWARD
UNIVERSITY.
This mournful truth is everywhere
confessed.
Slow rises worth by poverty de-
press d. johnson.


press d. johnson
Some Of our CONTEMPORARIES and
promoters OF the anti-Booker T.
Washington movement continue to
bewail the fact mat the distinguished
wizard OF Tuskegee." the prime
minister of the Industrial education
monarchy has been both selected and
elected a member Of the Board Of
Trustees of Howard University.
They regard his presence there as
being indicative of a radical change
in its educational policy by the low
ering of its standard as a frst-class,
high-grade educational institution.
Whether this position DE true or
false. it is but fair to say that the
souvenir Of Howard University.
copy of which is now before MS would
seem to lend color 90 this view OF.
the situation. Industrial education
is being gradually forced to the front
If we are Go take note of the picture.
Manual Wood Working and
Glass i'm Domestic Science" This.
then is the starting point and DIT.
Washington's presence is expected
20 accelerate the movement
Webster defines q university as
follows:
can institution organized and in-
corporated for the purpose of inn
parting instruction. examining stu-
dents. and otherwise promoting odu-
cation in the higher branches of lit
crature, science. art, etc. and em-
powered TO confer degrees i'm the
several arts and faculties. as Inn the
.ology law. medicine. music. etc. a
university may exist without having
amy college connected with t. or it
may consist of but one COLLEGE. or &c
may comprise an assomblage OF col
lCgos established iu any place. with
professors for instructiug students in
the sciences and other branches Of
learning"
Domestic Science as enunciated at
Howard means cooking a meal of
vicuals. Whether Webster had in
mind this form OF science when he
wrote his definition viii be answered
when it is understood that no uni
versity in Europe numbers such a
science in its curriculum. The move
mont then had begun at Howard
and il needed Booker r. Washing
ton under the mastery hand OF Pres
ident Theodore Roosevelt TO give it
impetus.
IL would seem then that there has
been a concerted movement to lower
the standard Of the University. by
Increasing its usefulness along the
lines of an industrial and common
school education. II is against this
attitude that the protests are being
waged
The only recognition rendered the
higher education" contingent was
the election of Wilbur Patterson
Thrilled. ID. D.. Ii. D. 20 the pres
idency. He is a scholar and a gen
tleman. man of high ideals and a
devotee Of the doctrine that the nigh
est educational facilities obtainable
are none too good for the brainiest
of the Negroes.
Still, If we are to note the trend
of ideas and the march of events.
his efforts will be handicapped by
those who believe that industrial ed
ucation is the panacea for all Of our
Ills and that if we give lower edu-
cation 10 the rank and file. the lead
ers Will or should secure higher edu-
cation for themselves.
We understand why colleges sup
ported by the beneficent donations
of northern philanthropists are adj
ding industrial annexes to their cur
riculums. IL is because these rich
men in many instances refuse to con
tribute to the institutions unless this
is done. The absurdity of the pro-
position might well be understood
were an attempt made at the West
Point Military Academy to train pri-
Yates for the army, or a movement
inaugurated at the Naval Academy
at Annapolis to train sailors for the
navy.
The effort would be disppraged be-
cause 1t would be improper. out oil
place. The training for the soldier
can be given at any military post in
the United States and the trainingI
Of the sailor can be given on anyl
Of the vessels of the navy.
Men needed to command must bel
given a special education at a special
place and under certain special con-
iitions. 1t is equally true of higher
and university and col
egiate training.
When you attempt TO force the
ank and file within its doors. you