Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-25

WaShin ton will never, perhaps, rival MANY
O'heT great American cities in point of bust
ness d commerce, but all it's capacities and
ten encies point to a time when it will become
the ltterarv, scientific and educational center
OF the nation. 1t has already developed rap
idly in the direction of becoming the recOg-
niZed headquarters of science and the others
will follow. The importance of the capital as
the nations political center will not be per
mitted to rema its only Distinguishing char
acteristic. As the recognition of the national
Character Of the city becomes general, the
pride OF the m ion, as well as its wisdom will
not allow it to be col tent with making baauti-
full the capita of the United States, but will
lead to the eStabli hmPnt here of national
institutions, sources of the highest order of
usefulness, which will make Washington the
representative of the intellectual life of the
nation. The development of the National
Museum into an institution which, through
the ext i and character of its collections and
the arrange mentS for their display. shall be
worthy OF the name, though temporarily post
poned, is certain. The National University
of W ich Washington and leading public men
from his time down have dreamed will
probably be established in the life times
of so he of US. Under favorable auspices
this city will grow, with the growth of
the nation, and the university will come at
future stage of the Intellectual DEVELOPMENT
of both. National Polytechnic School, which
shall instruct the youth of this coun ~ i'm the
useful arts and their application to all the bus
mess affairs Oflife, is the latest proposition in
fhiSc nmec, ion. Its unitarian feature and the
fact that by the plan proposed no expense is
contempla ed to the National Treasury make
it likely that its establishment will antedate
that of the university. 1t is said that we are
the only highly civilized county which has no
national polytechnic school: indeed there are
only Jew other institutions furnishing in
structiOn of this kind in all the United States.
Hence the proposed school would not be a
a rival but would serve as model and would
encourage the establishment of similar insti-
buttons in the various states. In a bill pre-
sented at the last session of Congress (by Mr..
Blair, of New Hampshire) proposing a Ma
tlOnal Polytechnic School for Instruction in
Science and the Useful Arts" an elaborate
plan Is furnished of the objects organization
exercises and lectures of the proposed institu-
ton, covering thirteen closely printed pages
OF the Record The surplus fund of the
Patent Office amounting to more than twelve
hundred thousand dollars. and Increasing
annually by sum exceeding one hundred
thousand dollars, is proposed as the source
from which the school shall be at first SUD
ported Inc secretary OF the Interior IS to be
er 0GicjO the director of the school, and the
Commissioner of Patents, relieved of his pres
ent judicial functions of hearing appeals. is to
be eJ CficiO rector or governor. The poly
technlc Is to embrace schools in mathematics
civil engineering, mining engineering, ma
ehinery, architecture, chemistry, forestry and
agriculture. The school when full would con-
sist of l,5SS pupils, appointed under certain
regulations by the President and MEM
bers of Congress, and the cost of tuition.
board and lodging, for each pupil an
nually, is to be so. Its general object
Is thorough and complete instruction i'm
science and arts, and the dissemination of
scientific and accurate practical technical
knowledge; one of its special objects is to pre-
pare fit candidates from which the govern
ment may select those officials in whom special
knowledge is requisite or ought to be required.
such as the employees of the various scientific
bureaus, skilled financial agents and account.
ants, surveyors general, biologists, explorers,
master mechanics, &c. Not merely the out
lines but the minute provisions of National
polytechnic School are given, in anticipation
OF the establishment of such an institution,
and there is reason to believe, as we'll as hope.
that in fulnesS of time, and with the national
development the plan will be realized in soma
form