The CRIMSON has been silent during these months following President Eliot's resignation on the subject of his successor. It has preferred to enjoy the efforts of the outside press in instructing its readers about the various candidates. From time to time declarations have been made that nothing short of providential interference could prevent the selection of this or that man. These announcements have been made practically out of whole cloth as the Corporation is not in the habit of communicating its deliberations to outsiders except through formal records after decisions have been reached. During this period of speculation by outsiders the Corporation has not been idle and it would not be surprising to hear the result of their search before long. According to precedent, their choice will be submitted to the Board of Overseers for ratification, which body is obliged to wait a certain period of time before accepting or rejecting it.

The interest among graduates in this matter has naturally been keen and widespread. The alumni in every state in the land have had it on their minds during these months and the possible men have been gone over thoroughly. President Eliot has gone on record as favoring a young and vigorous man who can shoulder the continuous and heavy work which the office involves. When President Eliot was inaugurated in 1869 he was only 35 years old and the Corporation has shown its fearlessness of comparative youth recently in appointing a new dean for the Medical School who is 32. Many men in the West and South are looking for a man from outside of Massachusetts, and there is no question but that it would strengthen Harvard in many communities were the right man to be found outside the vicinity of Boston. There have been pleas for men of high scholarly attainment above all, and others for men whose administrative and executive qualities form the basis of their success. The CRIMSON will be surprised if the successor is not chosen from this vicinity and it would not be surprised to find him among the younger men associated with the present administration.

It is not to be supposed that the candidates will be limited to Harvard men. Several brilliant men have been under consideration who have not received their degrees here. There seems to be a fairly general sentiment against the choice of such a man, however, and the CRIMSON is inclined to believe the right man will prove to be a Harvard man.

It has seemed strange to some that the student body has not taken a more interested part in the discussion relating to a successor. Some would even have the undergraduates make public their choice and give the Corporation the benefit of their decision. The CRIMSON feels that there might well be more thought and discussion given to the matter by the undergraduates. It is a topic which has a vital bearing on them, not only while they are still in the University, but more particularly after they have graduated and are viewing the affairs of Harvard from the standpoint of an alumnus.