The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1916-01-22
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Major Robert Russo Motion of Hamp-
ton, whom a subcommittee of the
board of trustees of Tuskegee Normal
and Industrial Institute unanimously
selected as successor to the late Book
er T. Washington, said in an interview
that he intended to carry on the work
of Tuskegee along the same rational
lines which Doctor Washington had
followed. Il accept this new respon-
sibility," said Major Motion. with anx-
ious humility. Doctor Washington was
truly great man, viewed from every
angle. l cannot fill his place. but with
the guidance and support of Tuske-
gees wise and sympathetic board of
trustees, and with the earnest cooper
alton and loyal help of the faithful and
efficient corps of workers whom Doc
tor Washington gathered about him at
Tuskegee, l shall endeavor to the best
Of my ability to carry on the work to
which he gave his life with the same
spirit and with the same rational
methods which he so wisely and so
successfully used" Major Motion, it is
known, was Doctor Washington's
choice as his successor as leader of
Tuskegee's work. The two men were
Intimate friends, held the same views
as to the best methods for helping
their race to a fuller citizenship, and
often spoke from the same platform in
the North and on the educational
tours of the Southern states. The
subcommittee which chose Major Mo-
ton was composed of Seth Low Frank
Trumbull, w. w. Campbell, Victor H.
Tulane, and Edgar A. Bancroft. Mr.
Low gave out the following state
ment: THE trustees of Tuskegee in
stitute at their meeting in Tuskegee.
December 10, appointed the under.
signed committee with power to Sc
lect the principal, provided it could
act unanimously. The committee to-
day has, by unanimous action, ap-
pointed Major r. r. Motion to be prin-
cipal His installation will take place
at the commencement next May. IN
taking this action, the committee has
not been unmindful of the long devo-
ton and many qualifications of EN-
nett j. Scott for the position. The
problem to be dealt with is a many
sided one, and it has seemed wise to
seek a solution of it that will bring
to the work of Tuskegee another force
full personality" The late Booker T.
Washington, in his book entitled my
Larger Education" had this to say of
the man who is to succeed him as
principal of the institution which Doc
tor Washington built up from a log
cabin, and to which he devoted his
life: 1T has been my privilege to
come into contact with many different
types of people, but I know few men
who are so lovable. and, at the same
time, so sensible in their nature as
Major Motion. He is chock-full of
common sense. Further than that he
is a man who, without obtruding him.
self and without understanding how he
does it, makes you believe in him from
the very first time you see him and
from your first contact with him, and,
at the same time, makes you love him.
He is the kind of man in whose COM
pany l always feel like being, never
tire of, always want to be around him
or always want to be near him.
"One of the continual sources of sur
prise to people who come for the first
time into the southern states is to
hear of the affection with which white
men and women speak of the older
generation of colored people with
whom they grew up, particularly the
old colored nurses. The lifelong friend
ships that exist between these old
'aunties and 'uncles' and the white
children with whom they were raised