The Washington times., 1894-07-18
NO UNION OF UNIVERSITIES
Prof. Mason Declares All Reports to
Be Unfoanded in Fact.
AFFILIATIeN MAS SUGGESTED
Published Information Premature and Incer-
rect-Dr Harper Has Not Been Invited to
Accept the Presidency Of co!umbisn-Ad-
vantages of Plan Proposed.

The announcement made in Chicago and
telegraphed to this city Of proposed consol.
idation of the University of Chicago with the
| Columbian University of Washington, is pro-
nounced by those here who are familiar with
the status Of affairs, to be premature and in
the main incorrect.
There is no proposition pending, they say,
| for the merging Of the two institutions, nor
| for the absorption Of one by the other-no
| project being considered, in fact, that will
| cause either university to lose its identity,
such as by combining the two under the name
| of either, or under hyphenated appellation.
1t is stated positively that the Columbian Uni
versity. now more than fifty years old, with q
| wide reputation would never consent to such
| an arrangement, nor Is it believed that the
| Chicago institution, admirably equipped and
situated as it is, would agree to the combina-
| ton.
There is under consideration, however, a
proposition that will doubtless in time be ac-
cepted by both, the terms OF which were yes
| terday obtained by TINES representative in
an interview with Prof. o. 7. Mason, of the
National Museum.
Prof. Mason said
II cannot understand how this matter be-
came public but l am very certain that it was
Somebody in Chicago has told something of
1t doubtless, and from that rumors grew
which are not correct. but have been pub
lished as facts. regard it as somewhat un-
fortunate that the statements got into the
papers, for the reason that no matter what
may be under advisement nothing definite
has yet been agreed upon. Those in Wash
ington who are interested have been faithful
to the pledge of secrecy as to the details of
the plan know, and l personally desire that
fact to appear. l am on terms OF intimacy
with a number Of the committee in charge of
the Columbian interests, and it might be sup
posed that naturally the subject would at
some stage of the negotiations be privately
discussed between us, but the matter was
never even mentioned.
.In 1887" continued Prof. Mason, "rhe
trustees of Columbian University re-
quested President yelling to discontinue
local work and undertake the task OF secur-
ing an endowment Of 81 ,000, 900 for the insti
tuition. II was seen that great opportunity
was presented for enlarging the scope Of the
university The National Capital needs such
an educational plant as it was intended to
make of Columbian. In 1888, however
there was held in this city the anniversary
meeting Of the Northern Baptist church
boards, and there was formed what is known
as an Education Society," They had in view
a very commendable scheme for the good of
that as Mr.. J. D. Rockefeller was casting about
for worthy institution TO endow, and was
anxious TO locate it, he might conclude TO
confer the favor upon Columbian. DR..
yelling was dissuaded from carryig out the
plan Of appealing to the public, and
became the president of the Education
Society," Washington, New York, and Chi
eago were at the time actively competing for
the Rockefeller endowment, which was finally
given to Chicago.
'.The university OF that city, now being dis
cussed in connection with Columbian re-
ceived a gift Of $1,000, 600, Of which Mr.. Rock
efeller contributed more than half. Marshall
Field. of Field, Letter d Co.. gave the ground
upon which to erect the buildings, and others
made liberal donations to the support of the
institution. Very recently IL received do
nation of $500, 900 for the defraying Of rum
ming expenses during the monetary crisis,
and it is evidently in fiourishing condition.
The Baptist Education Society pledged itself
to stand by Columbian University, how
ever, but deferred to Mr.. Rockefellers
preference as to the location Of his endow-
ment.
"Dr. Yelling rendered his resignation Of the
presidency last March. This called the cor
poration together to consider tho same and.
If it should be decided TO accept it, to discuss
the choice OF a successor. A committee was
appointed by the board Of trustees. subse-
resignation, to consider the selection of
man to AL the place. The committee was
composed OF Rev. S. II. Greene. Rev. C. A.
Stakely, Z. NJ Gslaudet, c. W. Ncedham,
]. J. Darlington, Eugene Levering, Gardiner
G. Hubbard, and ]. q. Wilson.
"The questions that arose for the considera-
tion of the committee were substantially:
Shall We elect a local president and 60 on as
heretofore? or shall we Dationalize the Insti- !
tuition and supply high grade university |
for which there is both opportunity and do |
mand?'
You can safely say that DR.. Harper has
not been invited by the committee to accept |
the presidency Of Columbian University, |
or of the two universities consolidated. The |
committee has no authority to perfect such |
an arrangement. DR.. Harper may have had |
under consideration a suggestion with good |
many ifs attached. but you can see that |
even II disposed 20 solicit the services of DIR. |
Harper or any other eminent educator, the |
members Of the committee could not 70 SO far |
as to tender the presidency to any one.
1T is not consolidation with the University |
of Chicago that is proposed, nor il it in any |
sense merging OF the two, nor absorption Of |
one by the ether. Neither Of the institutions |
would consent to such consummation.
sit is proposed. however. though not de-
cided, to affiliate the two universities upon a
plan which both can accept as mutually ad-
vantageous and which will prove to be posi-
tive public benefit. 1t is very certain that
the government will never establish here a
great national university. II we ever get |
such an institution. and educators are all
the need Of it. as well as its many
advantages. it will be of our own evolution.
State pride will prevent Congress from max
ing the necessary appropriations. for a ma
.ional university would naturally interfere
with the many excellent existing state insti-
utions. Hence, the scheme to found greater
educational plant than we now possess has
ong been considered and is, therefore, not
lew.
Harvard, Yale, the University of Virginia,
indeed, all the strong colleges, have been
the Washington field. Representa-
ives of many OF them have been here and
,ave debated the advantages Of. the Colum-
,ian site. The plan at present under advise
nent, therefore, is simply the outcome Of
ong discussion of plans. II consummated
he advantages will be practically an enlarge
nent of the scope OF each of the universities.
Students will have the benefit of both, yet
zach institution will preserve its autonomy