Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-04


DIR. J. c. Welifng.
by the secretary of the Columbian Cniver-
sity. Mr.. Martin, and few intimate friends
of the deceased and before noon the news
had spread generally over the city, and
everywhere called forth expressions of pro-
found sorrow.
For over forty years DR.. yelling has
been identified with the national capital
as one of its most valuable citizens. De-
voted to the cause of education and ever
energetic in his efforts to advance IL to
the highest degree of perfection and use
fulness he still found opportunity to in
terest himself in the substantial improve
ment of his adopted home in every direc-
ton
His Early Career.
DIR. yelling was native of New Jersey,
having been born In Trenton July II. 1925
He was graduated at Princeton in 4i.hav-
ing received his primary education at the
Trenton Academy, and became a private
tutor in Virginia. At the end of two years
he began the study of law, but in 1SiS gave
up that profession to become associate
principal of the New York Collegiate School.
While here he contributed number Of
articles 10 various leading newspapers
which attracted much attention and led
to his engagement in 1880 by Messrs.
Joseph Gales and William w. Seaton as
literary editor of the National Intelligencer.
at that time the leading daily journal In
the south.
In 1856 Mr.. yelling was made associate
editor Of the Intelligencer and charged
with the chief conduct Of the paper. He
continued in this position until 1866, and
durirg the terrible crisis leading up to and
irvolving the civil war he preserved the
steadfast course which he had begun at
the outset of his editorial career.
He was outspoken in his opposition to
the disunior movement In the south. and
was valiant and loyal in his support of the
war to preserve the integrity of the Union
when it became inevitable.
The steady persistence with which he had
devoted himself to his editorial duties told
on DR.. Welling's health, and he relinquished
his position with the Intelligencer in 1865,
spending the following year in Europe in
made clerk Of the United States court Of
claims. and in 1857 was elected president of
st. Johns College at Annapolis. In his
short career at Annapolis he improved the
famous old college in a variety of ways.
During his presi lency the number of stu
dents Increased from ninety to 2JO. In 1858
he received an honorary degree of LID.
from Columbian College, over which he was
destir ed to preside with such success, and
in 1870 was appointed professor of Bellies
Lettres in Princeton College. The follow
ing year he accepted the presidency of the
Columbian College in this city, and came
here to finish a career which had already
been so full of honor in another field of
scholarly sefulness.
President of Columbian College.
The quarter of a century just rounding
out since DIR. yelling assumed the presi-
dency of Columbian College has been filed
with success for the institution, due in a
large degree to the energy and never firing
loyalty which he gave to it's veal and pros
perity. DIR. yelling. with prophetic per-
cepti6n, caw a future for Columbian College
among the truly great educational organiza-
of intellect toward shaping its destiny in
such direction.
By an act of Congress the college was in
corporated as university, the seat of the
Institution was removed from the suburbs
into the very heart of Washington at 18th
and ii StreetG; the law and medical depart
ments were increased In their facilities and
increased in their scope: a scientific school
and a dental school were established and a
year ago the plans which Dr.. yelling had
laid down when he became president had
been so completely carried out that he an
nounced his intention of resigning his high
Office. He carried this into effect during the
spring of this year. and his resignation had
been accepted by the board of trustees to
take effect on October 1. The last complet-
ed work in connection with the university
which DIR. Welling contemplated with inf
mite satisfaction was the establishment and
successful operations of the graduate
school
There was something left unfinished. how
ever, which was very near and dear to
DR. Welling's heart. In 1892 at his sug-
gestion, the trustees and overseers of the
university ordained that a school of COM
parative jurisprudence should be estab-
Nshed as an integral part of the university
system, and authorizing President Well
irg to visit the leading universities of
Europe In which Jurisprudence is taught
according to the comparative method and
collect all possible Information on the SUBJ
ject.
Many Honorary Degrees.
Dr. yelling was honored by many uni
versities and colleges with honorary degrees
and was connected with many literary,
scientific and historical societies.
Since 1871 he was president OF the board
OF trustees of the Corcoran Art Gallery. De-
tween whose founders and himself warm
and intimate attachment existed for many
years previous to the formers death. Mr..
CorcOran vas deeply interested in DR.. Well
lns's plans for the advancement of his be-
loved institution, and the munificent dona-
uons made by the philanthropist to the
university was in large measure due to
the sympathy he felt for the ambition of his
friend. lie was regent Of the Smithsonian
Institution and a member of the Washing
ton Monument Society. the Anthropological
and Philosophical Societies, the Geograph-
ical and others. a meeting of the board of
trustees Of the Columbian University has
been called for tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock. to take appropriate action on DR..
WeliinSs death.
DT. Welling was twice married. A widow
nnd two young children and a married
daughter of his former marriage survive
hiT