Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-06-11
TAFT POPULAR AT HOWARD
Prot. Kelly Miller Says the Presl.
dent Has Made ! Hit.
Prominent Negro Educator Arrive,
in Dss Moines TO Talk on
Race Question.

President Taft'S appearance at
Howard university last week, where
he delivered the diplomas to the
graduates, was greatly appreciated
by the university faculty and by col.
ored people all over the country
said Prof. Kelly Miller, dean of arts
and sciences at the university and
professor of higher mathematics,
upon his arrival in Des Moines last
night.
Professor Milleris we'll known all
over the United States as Negro
educator. For nineteen years he has
held the chair of higher mathemat-
les at Howard university, which is
located at Washington, d. c., and
for some years past he has also been
dean Of arts and sciences. His de-
Tense of his race against such men
as Rev. Thomas Dixon has brought
him into the front rank with Booker
+. Washington and others who are
giving their lives to the work OF
educating the colored race.
I Professor Miller Is q great admirer
of Colonel Roosevelt, and he declared
last night that when the former
president returns to America he will
stir the American continent from
shore to shore. His regard has sur
'viyed the Brownsville affair, and he
has also a high regard for Mr.. Roose-
yelt's successor MI. Taft appeared
at Howard university ct the COM
5mepcement exsfcises last week and
this act did much to heal the wound
made by the Brownsville incident.
Will Call on Governor.
Prominent Afro-Americans in Des
Moines met Professor Miller on his
arrival in Des Moines and he will be
escorted about the city today by a
delegation headed by George H.
Woodson and j. B. Rush. Mr.. Wood
son is an alumnus Of Howard and a
former student under Professor Mil
Ter. They will visit Drake university
and Des Moines college and will also
call upon Governor Carroll and other
state officials at. the capitol during
the day.
Professor Miller believes, as he
says in his book, Race Adjustment \
that education will go far to solve
the race question in America. 'Edu-
cation never made anyone Grimm
al" he said last night. 1T is ignor-
ance that brings about crime, no
matter what may be the mans color.
/ have never known Of case where
education brought on crime or could
be charged with it,
He declares that statistics are all
against the contention that educa-
tion among the Negroes increases
crimes among them among the
1000 graduates OF Howard univer-
sity,' he said, 4 do not know of one
who has been convicted Of any
crime of any nature, and we keep
pretty close to our alumni, too.
School Has 1900 Students.
Howard university now has about
1000 students, four-fifths of whom
are men. OF the $500 graduates,
some 1900 are physicians, 500 law.
yers, 400 ministers, and the remand
er are graduates of the collegiate
department. We have great many
students from the West Indies, and
James Bryce, the British ambassa-
dor to Washington, takes a great in
terest in the university. Recently,
Andrew Carnegie gave the univer-5
sity $4,000 and congress voted $780,.
900 for a science hall. In addition.
to this latter sum, congress has also;
given the university $4,000 this
year for maintenance.
THE president Of Howard is W..
p. Thirkield, who comes from Cam,
mon Theological school and has had
large experience in the southern
field
Professor Miller has been on a
tour of the western states during
the last few weeks and said last
night that his observations Of the
condition Of his race have been most
encouraging.
This afternoon at the home Of
Mrs. j y w. Fields, on Twelfth street.
Professor Miller will be the guest
of honor at a dinner at which covers,
will be laid also for Rev. T. L. Grit
fifth, Rev. H. w. Porter, Rev. George
w. Gaines, Rev. S. Bates, Rev D.
Woodford, Attorneys J. B. Rush. s..
Joe Brown, George H. Woodson and
John L. Thompson, Dr.. "A. j. Booker, },
DR.. j. H. Williams and w. H. Hum
burd. 5Sl. III st
VI His address at the "a. M. 81. church
last night was one Of the finest ever
heard in our city. For more than
one hour he held the large audience
spellbound by his wit, wisdom and
eloquence and fanltless diction. At
torney Woodson presided and intro
duced Professor Miller in very fat
tering terms. Hon. Harvey Inghan,
editor Of the Register and Leader,
made short address. 5s ~
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