Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-22

dAS rLANs~
The news that the Catholic University in this
city had received gift of upward of half
million dollars from Father Mcmahon, a Catho-
lie priest Of New York, was heard with the
greatest satisfaction by the friends of the uni
versity here. for this increase in the endow-
ment Of the institution will result in a great ex-
tension Of the field Of usefulness to be covered by
the university. At present its scope of work is
confined almost entirely to the clergy of the
church. In the future it is to be extended so
Is to include the laity Of all denominations,
for the money donated by Father Mcmahon is
to be devoted to founding a school of philoso-
ply to supplement- the work of the present
school Of divinity.
SOMETHING ABOUT FATHER MMAHoN.
Father Mcmahon is a remarkable man. OF
whom it has been said that had he devoted his
energies TO q business career he must certainly
have taken rank with the greatest financiers OF
the age. A half century ago he received a
small bequest, which he at once invested In
and by judicious Refreshments he
has increased this fortune to nearly
$500 600 Father Mcmahon is now elderly
man OF studiOus habits and considerable erudi-
ton and nothing would be more grateful
to him than to spend the remainder Of his
DAYS in the quiet and scholarly life OF a
university. Thus it has come about that
new school is to be added to the Catholic
University here
On the sth of April the animal meeting of the
board of directors and trustees of the uni
versity was held in this city. This board con-
sists Of four archbishops. four bishops, four
priests and four laymen. representative men
from different parts of the country. At this
annual meeting the proposition was discussed
Of starting faculty Of philosophy to extend to
the laity the same educational advantages now
held out to the clergy by the school Of
divinity.
SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY.
As Miss Caldwell was the founder of the
present school. so Father Mcmahon is of the
other, for at this meeting an offer was received
from him to make over to the university all his
real estate holdings. provided he be invited to
spend the rest Of his life there amid congenial
surroundings. There was no difficulty about
getting the offer accepted. Bishop Keane.
rector Of the university. at once went
over to New York. and Father Mcmahon
made out the deeds of transfer to all
his property in New York and Long
Branch. This amounts in value to about
100000, with mortgages to the extent Of
about 100000. The only improvements on the
property are a hotel at Long Branch and a
house in New York. The income from this is
devoted to paving in part the necessary ex-
penses upon the property. taxes. interest, &C.,
and Father Mcmahon has offered to pay out of
his remaining fortune whatever is needed above
what comes in from this source of revenue.
BISHOP KEASE's INTENTION.
A star reporter made a trip to the university
yesterday afternoon in order to learn what
plans have been decided upon, and to him
Bishop Kesne talked freely and entertainingly.
1T is intended" said he. TO organize a fac
ulty of philosophy and science along the broad
line Of the German universities. 1t will contain
professors in the stables Of philosophy proper.
metaphysics. cosmology, psychology. ethics and
the history Of philosophy and along with these
will be connected the scientific studies which
these imply-chsmistry, physics, geology,
comparative anatomy and physiology. There
will also be courses IN philology. ancient and
modern languages and literature, in history,
sociology and the fundamental study Of
natural. civil and constitutional law.
NEW BUILDINGS AND PROFESSORS.
Y"Thus the faculty Of philosophy viii be CEN
trial ground, in which are to be found the funda-
mental structure of thorough scholarship in
any special branch of science that may after
ward be taken up. The plans Of the necessary
buildings viii be thought out at once and work
will be begun upon them by next fall. or at the
latest by the spring of 1892, and they viii be
pushed to completion as rapidly may be-
In the mean time a corps of professors will
be sought, men eminent in these branches of
knowledge. As far as possible they are to be
Americans. 1t is calculated that in three years
At latest, the faculty Of philosophy will be open
10 the Law students of the country. All the
courses Of study will presuppose a previous
college course The institution is intended to
supplement all existing institutions conducted
by Catholics and not to do the work of any Of
them.
The institution will be open to all scholars
irrespective of religious creed. In branches
that come in contact with religious questions
the professors will, Of course. be Catholics. but
this requirement will not be insisted upon in
the case OF studies like mathematics. with which
religious questions have no connection.
70 will be some years vet before the money
can be realized from the magnificent gift Of
Father Mcmahon, and in the meantime funds
must be sought elsewhere with which to carry
on the work. Moreover. the complete organize
ton of the faculty of philosophy will require
more than twice the amount Of the gift made
BY this generous priest.
at is taken for granted that persons who did
not feel interested in establishing a school of
theology viii feel impelled to show their prac-
heal sympathy in the establishment of what
viii aim TO be the greatest school of philosophy
In America"
THE COURTS.