Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-27
THE PROPOSED CATHOLIC UNI.
VEES7TY.
Why Washington IL Considered as n
suitable LOcati0n-An Institution Of
the Highest Learning-A Talk with
Rev. Father Chapelie.

1.-THE proposition to establish an advanced
Catholic university in this country can scarcely
be said to have assumed definite shape yet"
said Rev. Father Chapelle. of st. Matthew's
church, in reply to STAR reporters questions
concerning Miss Caldwell's endowment, and
the prospect of the institution being founded in
this city. Miss Caldwell, of New York. gave
100000 for the establishment Of such an insti-
tuition and the plenary council accepted the
present, appointing a committee of bishops aud
laymen to meet and consider the question.
They meet very soon now at such place rs the
chairman may designate, and after they have
conferred we shall know what is to be done"
'how many such universities are there now
in this country" asked The STAR.
There are number of Catholic universities
here in America but none like this one proposed.
There is not now Catholic university in this
country where the highest education may be
had. What we want is such university as Har-
ward, Yale or Cambridge Our students. if they
wish to pursue a higher course of study after
they graduate from the universities we now
have, must go to Harvard or to Yale. The pro-
position now is to establish an institution where
the highest education may be had"
Then the idea is not simply to instruct cam
didates for the PRIESTHOOD" asked THE STAR.
'Oh. no; that branch would be first estab-
lished but the idea is to have complete uni
versity course where the higher arts and sciences
may be studied by Young gentlemen. And l
think there is no better place In this country for
such an institution than in Washington for this
is really the social and political center Of the
country, and at the same time it is free from
party agitation. 1t is the mart of ideas-just
the place for great institution Of learning. 1t
is q place unconstrained by narrow ideas. and
its scientific institutions. the national library,
Congress and the Supreme Court. all offer facili-
ties which attract the student. In one sense it
is greater than New York and it is still grow
ing. A university of this kind would be lost in
New IOrk-al the sciences and arts are lost
there in the great tumult. This is. city in
which science and art would love to dwell. If
a university is established it should be here
But would it not conflict with the University
at Georgetown"
''Oh, by no means If that were the case
should not speak of it at all. No. in one sense
it would rather be a part of that institution.
Students who graduate from Georgetown, in
stead of going to Harvard. could continue their
studies in the arts and sciences in the higher
university proposed. The idea is to have a
Catholic institute OF the very highest learning"
What are the prospects for its establish
ment?" the reporter asked
There are many things to be considered, and
the matter is subject to the decision Of the COM
mittee appointed tor that purpose. The ques-
ton of money enters largely into it. Miss Cold
wells gift is only a starter, but we stand very
much in need Of such an institution, and it
should be established in this CITY,"