Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-16
Proposed Afiliation of the Columbian
and Chicago Institutions.
Two REPORTS As TO TEE PLANS
Neither Appears to Be Absolutely
Correct as to Terms.
THE OBJECT INVOLVED

Special Dispatch From q staff Correspondent.
CHICAGO, July 16.-Is Washington to be
the home of another great university or Is
Columbian University to be swallowed up
by a Chicago rival? The Inter-Ocean says:
THE Baptist denomination is contem-
plating the establishment of university
at Washington. ID. c.. the same high grade
as the University of Chicago with Presi-
dent Harper at the head of both institu-
tons. When the founding of a university
was first proposed in the meetings of the
Baptist Educational Society, strong press
ure was brought forth to have it located
in Washington. The arguments were that
there is already a Baptist institution Of
learning there, Colombian University. and
that the other large denominations are es-
tablishing centers of learning in that city.
President Harper, as Is well known. is a
thorough-going Chicago man, and Mr..
RocAefelles further showed his great sa-
gacity in siding with the doctor. The To-
cation in Chicago, however, was displeas-
ing to many wealthy Baptists in the east
whose purse strings would have been loos-
ened If an eastern city had been chosen as
the site of the new university.
The Journal and Messenger OF Cincinnati
Is authority for the statement that Presi-
dent Harper has been invited to accept the
presidency of the Columbian University at
Washington. He has declined the offer,
though its acceptance would not have In
'olved his leaving Chicago. He would be
the president of both universities. spending
fsix months at each place. MIR. Rockefeller.
however 1t Is said. asked President Harper
to take the matter under consideration
again. and wait year before giving his
Lltimatum. In this time. ii is thought that
from the fertile brain of President Harper
will be evolved a scheme whereby the Co.
lumbar University Will be used the
basis for another great university in the
capital city The interest that Mr.. Rock a.
Teller is taking in the matter assures that
financial ma of ha S..hnrna will la
taken care OF. With two high grade uni
versities in this country, the Baptist de-
nomination would lead in educational inter
ests in the United States. The fact of one
man being the head Of two big universities
in distant cities is never yet seen. but the
possibilities of the nineteenth century are
almost boundless.
THE Columbian University Is over fifty
years oil. Its law school, with the ad-
vantages offered in Washington, has al
ready taken high rank. ana its other de-
partments are strong. While the Metho-
dists and Catholics in founding universe
ties at Washington have had to build from
the bottom. the Bap,ists, if it is decided to
found another institution there will al
ready have tie foundations well laid fer
| theIa."
The Tribune. however disagrees with its
| contemporary, for II distinctly AYERS that
The Columbian University of Washing
ten. DC, has made proposition 10 the
| University Of Chicago lookin.- to the q Il
verslty Of Chicago. DIR. Hlrpar left last
| night for Washin rton, AMI il is evident the
| proposition VIII be accepted DR.. Harpei
| was closeted all day yesterday with leadir G
| university officials, and although uawillins
| to talk in regard to the ma tier IL is gen.
| orally understood in university circles that
the union VIII be consun.marad withou,
delay. The Columbian University is n non
| sectarian insttation and stands within ,ht
| shadow of the rational Capito, Its leadin.
| feature is Its law school. which by reason
| OF its proximity 10 the national judicis ~
Is one Of the hest of the country. Nearly
| all of the judges of the Supreme terch
| offer courses during the year.
| IL mas long been DR.. Harper's dream to
establish at or in connection with the Uni
versity OF Chicago an advanced school in
| Jurisprudence. which should admit to its
! membership only students who had received
collegiate degrees in accredited institutions
! The terms Of the contemplated consolida-
| ton will furnish the basis upon which the
| ideal will be constructed. At present
law courses are provided for I'm tbs
university aside from those to be given mex,
fail by Dr. Ernst Freundt. now of Heidle.
berg University. but formerly practitioner
in New York city. and lecturer before the
Columbian College Law School.
DR.. Freundt, says DIX. Harper. is the lead
ing authority in this country on the Roman
| civil law. Beginning in October, he will de-
| liver courses in civil law, general 1uris.
prudence and administrative law. The Co
| lumbar University has at present nearly
| 1VO StuOentS over One-half OF whom are
| connected with its law department J. c.
| yelling, a. NJ, Ii. D., was, until recently
| president of the university. At present the
| Institution has no head. The faculty mum.
bers 10 professors and instructors The
| value of the property of the university is
| estimated at s15o,OO0. This is divided be
| tween buildings and endowment
| Although the institution is nominally af-
| fliated with the Baptist denomination since
| its founding in 1871, the liberal attitude
| which the institution has assumed in edu-
| cational matters has deprived 1t largely Of
| its UNCONVENTIONAL cha -acter. TO such an
| extent that its sectarian basis is no longer
| designated in educational reports and pub
| lications. The act of consolidation will
| probably be similar to the act of affiliation
| whereby such institutions as Des Moines
| College, Kenwood Institute, the Harvard
| School, the Milwaukee Academy. and Nor
| gan Park Academy have become organic
| parts Of the central Constitution in Chicago
| Aside from matters of pure detail, these in.
! stitutions are practically under the imme-
! date direction Of the university board OF
| trustees"
Here are the two stories. Both OF them
| cannot easily be true: will Washington o,
| Chicago prove to be second violin?
| What II Said Here.
According to those people in this city