Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26
A UNIVERSITY AT WASHINGTON.

President Andrew d. White in the Forum
Regarding the position of Washington as a
center in which are brought together great
educational resources, and from which are
radiated vast influences upon American life.
the first main point is that it is the permanent
or temporary residence of very many leading
men upon whom a university might draw for
its lecture-rooms or council chambers In
Congress, from which most people expect lit
tie of the sort, are many who can speak with
acknowledged authority on subjects which
every university worthy of the name has to
consider. We sometimes hear sneers at vest
ern Congressman, and yet, out of the small
number have the honor to know, 1 can at
this moment recall two Who apart from large
diplomatic experience, stand in the highest
rank of American scholars.
Next, as to men specially known in literary
pursuits, the veteran historian and statesman
who years ago chose Washington as his residence
has proved to be a far-sighted pioneer; others
have followed him, and the number conse-
quently increases Everything combines to at
tract them the salubrity of the place, save in
midsummer, the concourse of men best worth
knowing from all parts of the world, and the
attractiveness of city in which intellectual
eminence has thus far asserted itself above
wealth. SO well known is this that the various
societies of literary tendency are more and
more making Washington their annual place of
meeting. The American Historical society was
one of the first to do this, and others are fol-
lowing its example.
But it is more especially as a source of scien-
tifc activity that Washington has taken the
foremost place in the nation. 1t is rapidly be-
coming one of the great scientific centers of
the world. The Smithsonian institution,
the national museum, the great gov
missions and bureaus whose work is
largely scientific, and many retired officers
OF the army and navy who have interested
themselves in scientific pursuits, all combine
to lay strong foundations for scientific activity.
About the year 1870 was established the Philo-
sophical society of Washington, under the
presidency of Joseph Henry. In the number
of its meetings as well as in the variety, range,
and Importance of the papers presented. this
society soon took leading place. Neither in Bos-
ton, Philadelphia New York. nor elsewhere in
our country are meetings of similar societies
held with the frequency and regularity which
characterize these, nor are the papers pre-
sented elsewhere on the whole of as much
consequence in promoting research as those
thus brought out at Washington.
Owing to the development of scientific work
which has followed its establishment, the Phil
osophical Society has been found unable to
meet the demands upon it, and five more scien-
tlfic organizations have been successfully es-
tablished as off-shoots. The latest of these,
the National Geographical Society, has al
The natural effect of bringing together the
large body of scientific workers employed in
the various bureaus Of the government is not
only to give vigor to these societies. but to Gre
ate liking for the pursuits of science which
extends far beyond the society limits And an
other effect of the spirit thus engendered is to
attract various other national scientific organi-
cations to Washington the best place for
their annual meetings.
This aggregation of so many investigators in
so many fields has naturally led to the gather
ing of apparatus and means for carrying on
scientific inquiry, and these may be considered
under the headings of libraries, laboratories
and collections.
As to the first, give from the Report of
the commissioner of education" a few statistics
Of the principal libraries in the city. Some of
these Libraries, such as those of the patent
office, the bureau of education. the geological
survey the naval observatory. the museum of
hygiene, the surgeon-generals office, and the
departments of State and agriculture, as well
as the Toner and other special collections in
the library of Congress, are particularly valu-
able by reason of their strength in certain def
mite lines of research.