The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-17
Columbia College.

President Lows announcement that the
trustees Of Columbia College have secured
an option on about twenty acres Of the land
now occupied by the Bloomingdale Asylum
may be taken as settling the question Of the
future site OF the institution.
When. in 1857, the college removed from
Its old situation in College place to its pres-
ent site at Forty-ninth street and Madison
avenue. it anticipated the growth Of the
town even more than 1t would now do by
removing to One Hundred and Sixteenth
street and the Boulevard. At that time
the Central Park had not yet been laid
out, and the development Of the upper
wards. which accompanied its progress
to its present perfection. had not yet
begun. The old Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
OF whose building the college took pos
session. WAS one Of very few structures in
the neighborhood. and it was further away
in distance from tho centre Of the resi-
dences Of the population and much further
away in time than the Bloomingdale Asy-
lum now is. The reservoir at Forty-second
street was beyond the limits Of the popu-
lous town. and opposite 1t. in the Fifth ave-
nue.. the cattle yards we're still maintained.
To both the east and west Of the new site OF
the college the land was unimproved for the
most part. and its surroundings were much
more suburban. II not rural in character.
than is now the vicinity of the Blooming
dale Asylum at One Hundred and Sixteenth
street.
Since that time Forty-ninth street has be.
come populous centre. or. rather. 1t may
be described as q southerly limit OF the new
and magnificent town which has grown up
during the last twenty years. The building
OF the Grand Central Station to tho east
ward Of the college and hard by its class
rooms has also made the situation 30 un-
suitable. by reason Of the noise Of the null
titude Of trains. that for long time the re-
moval of the institution has been inevita.
BILE. 1t must go to q quieter place; and.
moreover. the rapid growth and develop
ment Of the college since its transfer to
Forty-ninth street make the space OF the
present site altogether insufficient for its
purposes.
The proposed removal would, Of course.
involve vast expenditure. The price Of the
land alone is $4,000, 900. and the necessary
buildings upon 1t would cost at least as much
more. Therefore even Columbia's endow-
ment is not enough for the additional outlay.
and II the plan Is carried out In Its fulness.
special assistance will be requisite; but as
there is On abundance of wealth and liberality
among the friends OF the college. the prof.
money. It's execution may be delayed. and
President Low implied that he did not ex-
pect to accomplish the whole at an early
day. but the enthusiasm with which the
alumni received tho acceptance Of the
option by the trustees. indicates the pur.
chase OF the land six months hence. and the
removal Of the institution to that site.
Such removal will involve radical
changes In the character OF the college. for
dormitories will be provided for students
and college community will be built
up. The situation will soon be In the midst
OF populous district. but the space OF
twenty acres ~ land will give the institu-
ton sufficient excluslveness. and Its near
ness to the many contributory facilities for
education which great town affords will
assist in its development as comprehen.
sive university.
The University OF the City of New York. In
Washington square. is also meditating
removal to the present outskirts OF
the town, with the intention OF max.
ing n similar change In its char.
acter. though Its endowment Is small
as compared with C0lumbia's. One great
university is enough for New York. and only
one can be maintained here on the scale con-
ceived by the imaginations OF both Presi-
dent Low and Chancellor MoCRAcKKN: but
two are thus planned, as II the connection
were necessary and desirable. Instead OF
working wastefully on separate lines. the
part Of wisdom. therefore. ia for these two
institutions to come together In fedora
ton for the accomplishment OF their COM
mon purpose OF promoting education.
Let tho University. as tho Junior and the
feebler college. abandon it's own project
and join It's forces with Columbia to build
mp Va great university system for New York.
in which its own individuality will be pre-
served and none of Its valuable traditions
lost. AS competitor Of Columbia II must