The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-16
1.-THE University of the United
States"

For many years, in fact ever since
Washington's time, it has been the wish
of many leading educators and public
men that the United States might es-
tablish and maintain, at some central
point, now invariably coincident with
the federal capital, an institution of
higher learning which shall not COM
pete with but rather supplement the
various colleges and universities al
ready established i'm the land. A bill
to this effect has at last been favor
ably reported to the senate, and it's
provisions are worthy of careful atten-
tion.
1t provides that the proposed uni
versity of the United States shall be
of postgraduate rank, with authority
to establish cooperative relations with
other institutions of education and
learning, in this or in other countries,
and with power to confer degrees upon
such persons only as have previously
received the degree of bachelor of arts
or its equivalent, or who have re-
ceived certificates of graduation from
some state educational institution. No
applicant for admission fulfilling these
requirements shall be excluded and
neither sectarian nor partisan instruc-
tion shall be impaired. The goveI1-
ment of the institution is vested in a
nnn n,,l ls,fy 4
ell, the former to be composed of the
president of the United States, who
shall be president of the board: the
chief justice of the United States, the
commissioner of education, the secre-
tary of the Smithsonian institution, the
president of the National Academy of
Science. the president of the National
Educational association, and the presi-
dent of the university, and nine other
citizens Of the United States, no two
of whom shall be citizens of the same
state, to be appointed by the president
by and with the consent of the senate
and the latter to consist of the board
of regents and twelve other citizens
of the United States, to be appointed
by the board of regents from eminent
educators connected with institutions
of learning in the United States. The
board of regents are to be supreme in
financial matters. For the organiza-
tion, preliminary work. and support of
the university an appropriation of $l5,-
900 is made for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1898. No permanent endow-
ment is contemplated at this time. leav-
ing to congress in the future to pro-
vide for the institution by direct appro-
prlation or by setting aside portion
lands or otherwise.
The committee report accompanying
this measure points out that the insti-
tuition proposed is designed to take a
place in educational work now untitled
in the western hemisphere. a place for
advanced study with facilities intended
In time to be equal to those of any for
eign university. After pointing out
that each year between 1000 and 5000
American students go abroad tor post
graduate study because there are no
equal facilities for such study at home,
the report concludes:
Such an institution would powerfully
contribute to the improvement of the
whole series OF schools of the country,
from the kindergarten to the university
1t would correlate. broaden, elevate an 4
strengthen the entire circle of the So
called professions. not only furnishing
but indirectly elsewhere compelling better
preparation for professional studies with
higher standards of professional attain
ment, and hence broader and more thor
ough courses OF instruction. 1t would
prove most important means of sup
/ plying to a multitude of industrial occt,-
pations the scientific principles requisite
10 their highest success. thus dignifying
labor and building up many new profess
sions. 1t would enlarge the field of hu-
man knowledge by means Of the original
researches and Investigations of its men,
bers. while at the same time nductiig
| students of genius into the art of inves-
tigation, thus helping mankind to an ear
lier mastery over the hidden forces of
nature. Such an institution would prove
II powerful defender. as well as discoverei
and teacher of truth. Among its men,
bers there would always be moral heroes
as superior to the menaces of power as ia
the insidous arts of the most skillful and
corrupt devotees of false gods-men able
to unmask error and bold to stand for
| the right at all hazards Tho sacredness Of
| truth. freedom OF thought and freedom
| OF speech will be the inscription upon Its
| portals. The proposed university Is also
patriotic necessity. 1t would secure to
! us as a great people the independence we
need In things intellectual. 1t would
strengthen our. love of country, and SO
prove a new and powerful safeguard OF
fpaa Inc tt,stt hot %, o..
lofty aspirations from all portions Of the
| Union. but from all parts of the civil
| lied world, thus at once stopping the pres