The Washington herald., 1910-05-27

Rear Admiral Charles Herbert Stockton,
L. s ". retired, was appointed acting
president Of George Washington Univer-
| sity yesterday, 70 succeed DR.. Charles W.
Needham
Rear Admiral Stockton has accepted
the Office and will assume his duties on
September l. when DR.. Needham's term
expires
DR. Howard Lee McBain. dean Of the
College Of Political Sciences, will assume
Office at the same time as assistant 10 the
acting president
Both appointments were made az a
/ special meeting Of the board OF trustees
I yesterday afternoon. Rear Admiral
Stocktons name has not been mentioned
publicly as a probable successor 20 DR..
! Needham. and the announcement Of his
/ appointment came as a surprise in edu-
cational circles.
work OF reorganization.
Rear Admiral Stockton's term Of office
will be devoted 20 the work Of reorgani-
zotion OF the educational and financial
/ systems of the college. after which he
VIII retire in favor Of a permanent presi-
dent.
Speaking Of the policies TO be pursued.
Rear Admiral Stockton said last night:
The restoration of the endowment fund
and the cleaning up OF al' financial diff
culties or Observation-Disclosures Eil be two
OF the aims OF the coming administration.
Though this win necessarily leave us IN
a straitened financial condition. we be
llsve that the public viii come 10 our aid.
At any rate. we can 90 before them with
greater confidence in their support II
these matters arc remedied.
Changes viii be made In the educa-
tI0nal administration and the university
placed on a solid basis in every way. IN
the administg8t ton Of educational affairs
I win be aided by Dr. IcBahN dean Of
the School OF Political Sciences, who IS
an educator OF marked ability"
shows Executive Ability.
/ Because OF his age. DR.. NcBain's ap-
pointment was even a greater surprise 70
those on the outside than was Rear Ad-
miral Stockton's. He is only th.rtS-cne
years old. but has shown great executive
ability iu the administration OF the school
OF political sciences. The report that he
win eventually succeed 20 the presidency
could not be verified last night.
The trustees OF the institution are
elated over the selection Of admiral
/ Stockton and Dr. McBain. and believe
that their advent 20 Office will mark q
new era in the history Of the university.
! Rear Admiral Stockton has resigned from
the board of trustees. 10 which ne was
appointed two months ago. succeeding
DR.. Richardson. In his duties on the
board he displayed active interest in the
work, and won the confidence of his as
sociates by his zeal and ability.
Rear Admiral stockton was born n
! Philadelphia October I3. lSl5. and IS the
son Of Rev ". R Stockton. a prominent
minister Of the Quaker City. He was ap-
pointed 70 the United States Naval Acad-
emy in 1861 and was graduated in 1865.
Passing through the junior grades. he
rose rapidly 10 the commission Of Iieu-
tenant in 1852
Blocked Confederate Ports.
He served aboard the Macedonian in
the summer OF 1864 in the blockade
Of Confederate ports. After the war. he
went 70 the Pacific squadron. and later
was transferred 10 the Philadelphia Navy
Yard. After serving on several vessels
at the New York Navy Yard. and at the
Photographs Office, he was ordered "a
the Washington Navy Yard as lieutenant
commander.
His first command was the Thets, in
1889. and in 1891 he was ordered 10 the
Naval War College for special duty
After two years in command OF the
Yorktown, he was chosen president OF
the Naval War College IN 1898. He was
then a ranking captain, and served in
the War College two years.
IN the "new navy" Capt stockton was
given command of the Kentucky. being
relieved from that duty 10 become naval
attache at the American Embassy in
London in 1868. He was recalled TO as
sumo the presidency OF the board OF in
spect!on and survey. The following year
he was made president Of the naval
examining and retiring board.
After more than twenty-one years Of
| oNLiNN sc SCIN lCe OUT OF IOrlN-SlN years
since his enlistment. he was retired Oc-
| tober 13. 1867. with the rank Of rear
admiral He did duty with the special
! service squadron, visiting Bordeaux
France. for the maritime exposition just
previous to his retirement
Holds Honorary Degree.
Rear Admiral stockton edited manual
on international law. and has written
several papers and articles on that sub
ject. He holds an honorary degree OF
LII D. He was married in 1880 20 Miss
Pauline L King, Of New York, and now
resides at 2o19 street northwest.
DIR. Howard Lee McBain. who. by his
election yesterday, becomes one Of the
youngest educators OF the country in So
responsible a position, was born in To-
ronto. Canada. thirty-one years ago
Most Of his life was spent in Richmond
Va, where he received his early school
ing. On his graduation from Richmond
College he studied a. the University of
Chicago. and latp- n Col,,r,bio T--i,.a--