New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-22
. COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY.
SOMETHING ABOUT ITS NEW PRESIDENT.
CLEANING DAYS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS
PRIZES OFFERED BY THE SMITHSONIAN
INsTITuTION-A PERSISTENT GERMAN
SCIENTIST.

vile, Me-. as It's president They have pledged
themselves to raise $4,000 before next fall for the
reorganization Of the university. $4,000 to be ex-
pended annually.
Columbian College was incorporated in 1919 and
made a university in 1873 The original buildings
we're Meridian Hill. that time outside of the
city limits but now thriving part of the town.
Judge Harlan's house stands the site OF the old
college and the house Of Mrs. Logan and the
Chinese Legation In the vicinity
Some years ago the trustees OF the college took
advantage Of rise In real to sell its prop
erty. From this sale they realized about $4,000
which. supplemented by generous gift from W.
W. Corcoran. always a warm friend OF the uni
versity. sufficient to enable them TO erect
handsome building in OF the most desirable
quarters Of the city, Since the removal of the uni
versity town. the property Meridian Hill has
rapidly increased In value. and the land 1t sold for
$40 90 would now bring 100000
PERIOD OF SOMNOLENCE.
The university is a Baptist institution. and. like
all universities under sectarian influence. has not
made rapid progress or been successful its
broader contemporaries. For many years. indeed,
4, led rather sleepy existence but with the re-
mova TO town its affairs took new impetus. and
under President yelling who died more than
year ago, many Improvements were begun. The
most popular innovation the opening OF its
doors 10 women In the faculty of the university
are many notable men. among them Justices
Brewer and Harlan in the law school, and General
Greely J. w. Powell and Professor Cleveland Able
in the Corcoran Scientific School
1t would he impossible 10 find two scholars more
entirely opposite than DR.. Whitman and Or. Well
ing whom he succeeds. Or. yelling was man
far advanced in years at the time OF his death
profound scholar OF deep and broad culture. and
Of superior judgment. In manners he belonged TO
the old school. conservative. quiet digni.ed.
and a devoted churchman. Socially he was agree
able and responsive. but in public likely to be
power. the personal magnetism. so essential TO a
college president. TO keep students and alumni in
terested in and enthusiastic over their alma mater.
he absolutely lacked.
ABILITIES OF THE NEW PRESIDENT.
This power the president possesses in an I'M
usual degree. and 10 1t be attributed his popu-
.arty and success in administering the affairs or
Colby University. DR.. Whitman was not thirty
years old when he was called from the pastorate
OF the Free Street Baptist Church in Portland TO
the presidency OF this university. which was In
not very fcurshing condition He at once began
ecturing on the advantages Of Colby throughout
the State OF Maine. and In the few years OF his
stay there nearly doubled the number of its ma
fluctuations.
Dr. Whitman is an alumnus Of Brown University.
and Is a type OF the vigorous. energetic. progress
sive college of to-day. He is giant ply
sically and IN his college days was devoted 10 atm
letics He Is a handsome man. and has a cordial
impresses having force. energy and executive
ability and under his guidance the university au-
thorities believe there is a great future for H.
HOUsE-CLEANING IN WASHINGTON.
II is housekeeping time at the Capital. All OF
the public buildings are being overhaued carpets
cleaned repairs made and everything put in order.
while there is little going on.
At the White House doors have been cut through
from the Blue Room in which the President and
uho vi invariably
public receptions 10 the adjoining Red and Green
rooms. This is a wise idea. and Will do away with
the crowdng In that circle OF official and fashion,
able people which forms behind the line OF those
receiving
These doors are the only Improvements that will
be made at the Executive Mansion. but there Is
much to be done in the way Of repairs II has
been the policy OF President and Mrs Cleveland 10
ask heavy expenditures from the Government purse
for extensive alterations in the shabby old house.
which costs a goodly sum yearly TO keep II patched
up and In a condition TO be lived in Owing per-
haps TO the fact that she has two charming homes
where her housewifey instincts can be induiged
Mrs Cleveland shows less interest in her oi'cial
abode than any Of her predecessors. The Govern
ent relieves her from any responsibility concern
Ing the White House. which is in charge OF the
Commissioner Of Pubic Buildings and Grounds.
Colonel Wilson, who attends 10 all details.
sCRUBBING UP THE CAPITOL
At the Capitol there are ladders everywhere, ana
workmen are ndustrious.y washing of statues.
busting down walls and polishing furniture. Inc
Senate Chamber Is entirely bare. the desks having
been removed and the carpets taken up. Last
year three Of the pictures in the rc''nda were
cleaned. This year the remaining canvases Will be
put through a like process. Washington resign,
ing HIS COTmiss S frame al ee empty on the ooT
The cleaning Of these pictures Is simple inat,ei
and must OF course. be done by an expert The
artist in charge OF this work Is ~ ~ an ~ tSs
corridors The pictures arc thoroughly washed washed
with soap and water to remove the accummia lion
acquire the requisite degree Of gloss When Mr.
hung his Dstu9T er ke e them cean
Curtains to be drawn over them whenever sme
SSm Nv was ssyseS se' Of
in the rotunda These plans were. of course nos
e.sa.S s.d .n sss they p
James Renwick who recsnty aed N ins,tn,o
Norman architecture Of the last hall OF me tweItn
ssa.Sy before stone .s Of
s %tSsonisn 10 sn1 pleasing building The National
Museum in close proximity to It, on the contra ds
tracts from the quaint beauty of its neighbor.
THE MUSEUMS RICH POSSESSIONS.
vh.,svs- cr,,,c,.m can be made of the exterior
OF the museum. the interior is admirably arranged
and perfectly adapted to the purposes for wh'ch II
was Intended Although eomRaT ia aresay n ,oc
small To- accommodate its accretions. The coec-
tons have increased TO such an 9or ack of
space has TO be stored away, would MI a puninS
as large as the present museum woo renerous
than any other class The National Museum; tor
instance is constantly receiving presents anu ,ra
quests The only difficulty Is the apiii'y 10 'ahe
care OF them.
THE HODGKINs PRIZES
The award Of the Hodgkins prizes VIII soon De
made Professor Langley Is at present IN EUROPE
and while there will consult with the Foreign Au-
.visory Board These prizes. 1t will be rememoeieu'
were offered in 1898 from a donation to the smi'h
son,an institution by Thomas George Hodgkins. OF
setauket ~ w. to be devoted ito the increase ana t
diffusion OF more exact knowledge In regaru ~ co o
nature and properties Of atmospheric ar , ~, ~
nections with the welfare OF man. ne no ~ nj.