Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-05-18

Tsv"SUs S0kouSs otatOomon ana
Educators Pay Homage to Worth and
Work Of Man Who Has Won Distine-
tion a. Secretary Of Howard Univsr-
city In Washington.
Washington. - The testimonial BAN
Quet In honor of Professor George Will
liam Cook held recently In Miner hall.
on the campus Of Howard university.
was the largest function Of it's kind
ever known In the District of Colum-
bia. Covers were laid for over 200
guests. and the dining hall was crowd
ed to its utmost capacity with appre-
ciative friends of the energetic secre-
tary of Howard university. represent
ing the best brain and culture of the
Negro race In the world Professor
Cook has been identified with the In
stitution for thirty-nine years, and a
more fitting recognition Of his valua BILE
service. efficiency and the esteem in
which he is held by the people of the
community could not be conceived.
Hon. William H. Lewis. assistant at
torney general of the United States.
was toastmaster. and his speeches,
abounding In rich witt1cisms and
lights OF real eloQuence by turns. justi-
fed the wisdom Of the promoters in
selecting him for this arduous task.
Toasts that sparkled with humor and
carried information of much value.
eulogizing In felicitous and sincere
fashion the central figure of the occa-
sion. were responded to as follows:
ov.1 hA
Johnson: "Our Guest as a Citizen"
W. Justin Carter Of the bar Of Harris
burg. Pa: Howard as She Is." Pro-
fessor Kelly Miller: "Our Guest as an
Educator" Professor Dwight o. W.
Holmes of Baltimore.
To all Of the many expressions Of
commendation Of his efforts to place
Howard in the front rank Of educa-
tional centers and to exert his inhu-
ence toward the Advancement Of civic
Righteousness Professor Cook feeling
ly responded. taking for bis theme
The Two Seals" relating the story Of
how tho university came to have two
seals and describing the sublime spirit
Of human and national uplift for which
they stand. His outline Of the work
that Howard has done since its forty
I'VE years OF existence WIS intensely
Interesting. and the larger portion OF
the historical data presented at nrst
hand was new to many Of the guests.
His happy tributes TO such eminent
founders Of Howard as General o. o
Howard. John II. Lnngston. DR.. Rob-
ert Reyburn and others evoked hearty
applause.
Professor Cooks address Ii voted by
his admirers to have been the most
comprehensive study Of the university
yet given to the public. and II marks
the orators high water mark In foren
sic quality. At the close of Professor
Cooks speech he was presented with
q beautiful bouquet Of American Beau
ty roses. the gift Of the ladies' OF How
ard university. Just before he spoke
the audience was keyed up to the
spirit of the hour by the rendition of
song. "Howard-I Love Old Howard"
by the Howard academy quartet
Preston. Gonzalo James and Lynwood
g. Roger.
Congressman N. e. ksndaIl's Addrsss.
One of the truly delightful treats OF
the evening was the graceful and en-
couraging address of the Hon. N. E.
Buxton district Of Iowa. who was
present as special guest. coming at
the direct request of his friend and
alumnus of Howard's law department.
Mr.. G. n. Woodson. now a practicing
attorney in the state Of Iowa. Mr..
Kendall saw In this gathering a prom
ise of great things for the Negro race
in the future He believes that color
prejudice is gradually disappearing as
the black man gives continued evil
dence of his ability to cope with the
best brain and Drawn of America and
Is getting hold of the elements that
make for higher civilization.
He said he would not have missed
this occasion for anything. as 1t WAS a
distinct "eye opener" to him, we'll ac-
uuainted as he is with the coiored
people in many sections OF the country.
It was his final suggestion that the
young men and women who come to
Washington to secure advantages in
education not obtahable elsewhere go
out into the west and south and carry
their cultivated talents to those Of their
people who stand In the greatest need
Of their Illuminating touch. Congress
man Kendall struck popular chord
and was cheered 10 the echo.
The closing feature of the program
was an original skit. Facts and Fig
ments." by Messrs. Robert A. Pelham
and Shelby ]. Davidson. assisted by
Mr. Herbert D. Myers. who operated
the lantern and slides used to illustrate
the points brought out by the humor-
lists Many familiar scenes with which
Professor Cook was connected In his
work at Howard university were