Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-28
A Notable Addition to the Catholic
University.
IRE M'MhHON HALL OF PHILOSOPHY
Distinguished Gathering to Be
Present at Its Inauguration.
SKETCH OF IT'S FOUNDER


epoch in The church in this country in its
relations to higher and broader education.
There will assemble to take part in them
also the most important dignitaries of the
Roman Catholic Church in America, and
probably the gathering will be the most
distinguished called together by any
eveEt in the Catholic Church since the
third plerary council held in Baltimore in
! 1881. The various departments connected
with the university will reopen October l,
including the new Mcmahon Hall of Phil
osophy. The two succeeding days the con-
! gress of the Priests Eucharistic League
will meet in the lecture hall of the uni
versity and discuss matters of much in
terest to the clergy as well as the COM
municants OF the church
The exercises attendant upon these events
really began last Tuesday evening, when
the students and professors of the Divinity
College. together with a number of others
who will take part in the proceedings next
week. went into a spiritual retreat, to con-
tinue until the end Of the present week.
The retreat is being conducted by Rev.
Walter c. Elliott.
Dedication of Mcmahon Hall.
The dedication exercises of AicMahon
Hall will be impressive. though simple, and
will be conducted by Cardinal Gibbons.
who, together withe the archbishopS and
bishops of the United States. form the
board OF directors of the Hall of Philoso-
ply. This board will hold meeting the
morning of October l. at which the faculty
selected by Bishop Keane and Dr.Garrigan,
the rector ana vice rector of the univer-
sity, will be formally approved and the
course of studies provided in the various
departments ratified. 1t is expected that
this meeting will be attended, besides the
cardinal. by Archbishops Corrigan of New
York. Williams of Boston. Chappelle of
New Mexico. Ryan of Philadelphia and
ireland of St Paul. and Bishops Horstman
OF Cleveland. Spauldins of Peoria. Macs of
| Covington. Nearly of ST. Cloud and Foley
of Detroit.
Other noted Catholic priests and laymen
who are expected 10 be in attendance upon
the subsequent exercises. which will take
place in the hall of the new structure in
the afternoon. and who will also attend the
sessions of the Eucharistic congress, are
Monsignor Satolli. the apostolic legate;
Monsignorc Sbareti and DIR. Rocker of the
papal legation, Vicar General Farley Of
New York. President Zahm of the Univer-
sity of Notre Dame, President Richards of
Georgetown University. Mr.. Michael Jen-
kns of Baltimore. Mr. Eugene Kelly of
New York. eX-Con gresSman Bourke Cock
ran and many others.
Cardinal Gibbons and AIonSignor Satolli
will make addresses, and the attending
clergy will DE attircd in the full robes of
their order according to their rank. The
exercises will begin at pm, when the
hall will be blessed by Cardinal Gibbons.
The cardinal will also deliver an address
defining the objects of the Institution and
its various departments. There will be adj
dresses also by Mgr. Satolli, the apostolic
delegate and Prof. W. c. Robinson, dean
of the school of social science. Mgr. Sa-
tell will bestow the papal henediction on
Mcmahon Hall as the representative Of
Leo XIII.
The Hall of Philosophy.
The new Hall of Philosophy occupies a
n,it nil cit tod fha
r.cst commanding site in the extensive
grounds belonging to the university. and
the Wow from its windows presents a re-
markabiy fine panorama of Washington
and the surrounding country. The struc-
tire is built OF granite in the Romanesque
style of the Renaissance architecture from
plans prepared by Baldwin & Pennington
who " ere also the architects of the Divin-
ity Hall, which the first building
erected on the grounds, as well as the
first to be opened for the reception of STU
dents TIL. Sc. however, We're confined to
members of the priesthood who desired to
pursue higher studies in connection with
their duties, but Mcmahon Hall will be
oren 10 all applicants who may meet the
requir cmentS of matrculation regardless
of theic religious professions or tendencies.
The hlrmo NOUS treatment OF the structure
does not make its great size so apparent
at the first glance, but il is 30 feet long
and 40 feet deep, except the central wing.
which extends back $50 feet. The parti-
is equipped throughout with iron stair
ways, which run from the basement to the
attic, four stories above. The interior is
arranged to afford the greatest conven-
fence for those who VIII embrace the OPP
portunities it offers. Fer the present many
of its halls will be occupied temporary
quarters for experimental work along scien-
tific lines. but eventually all these sections
will be transferred to buildings to be erect
ed elsewhere in the grounds. All these
apartments. however. despite the immedi-
ate uses to which they will be put, have
| een planned for the purposes of their
permanent occupancy.
Arrangement of the Apartments
The stairways ascend through the middle
pc rtion of the building and from these
corridor runs on each floor its entire length.
On either side of these corridors are series
Of rooms arranged for their adaptability to
some particular branch of study. These
apartments consist of a lecture hall for
each instructor. a study room and rooms
wherein the students may prosecute their re-
searches under his direction. The sections
devoted to students in practical sciences
will be furnished with laboratories, and all
will be equipped with a complete library
containing authorities and works of refer
ence bearing directly upon the course of
study followed This equipment is intended
to inspire the student to original research
ard, indeed, this idea was the fundamental
che in the mind of the founder of the inSti-
allows students in every course to pursue
their work without contact with the others.
The large apartments in the central part Of
the building will be used a present for pub
lie functions i'll connection with the uni
versity.
The first floor Of the west wing Of Nc
Mahon Hall will be occupied by the schools
of social science and of jurisprudence; the
pathological school will occupy the second
floor, and the third will be devoted to the
use of those who will undertake philosoph-
ical pursuits. The philosophical school will
be divided into sections of letters. mathe-
matics technology, biology, physical sci
ence and philosophy proper. The school of
social sciences will include departments of
law, political science, economics and sociol-
cgy. These will be the two schools that
will be opened this year.
The admission to these schools will be
granted to any one who mas taken degree
at any reputable college. Those who have
rot received degree, but who will express
willingness to pass an examination qualify
rig them for the degree of A. B. will be adj
mitted on probation. The faculty is bril-
liant one, and in its selection Bishop keane,
the rector of the university, has spent sew
eral years past in travel and in studying
the capabilities of large number of emf
Eent educators.
The Faculty.
The dean will be the Rev. DR.. Edward A