Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-15
WISH
His Request for the Building Of a
National University.
PATRIOTIC WOMEN TOFINISH TEE WORK
Convention to Be Held in This
City Next Month.
FOR DISCUSSION

A number of patriotic American women
have determined that the wish of George
Washington for a great United States uni
versity. to be established here shall be
carried into effect. and with this purpose
in view will have convention in Wash
fngton next month. Among those who are
taking an interest in the matter and in all
probability will attend the convention, are
Mrs. Phoebe Hearst OF this city Mrs Ellen
A. Richardson Of Boston, Mrs Clara r.
Anthony. Miss Rachel Rowland, Miss LOU
ise Thicker and Mrs. Edmund Anthony, jr.,
OF Massachusetts,; Mrs. I. 8. Boyd of Geor-
gia, Mrs. w. A. Roehling, New Jersey; Mrs
John K. Goodloe, Kentucky; Mrs. H. H.
Adams. Connecticut; Mrs. C.. 8. Brice, Ohio:
Mrs. George Lothrop Bradley, District of
Columbia; Mrs. L. D. NJ Sweat. Mrs. Eu-
gene Hale, Mrs. Frank Hamilton, Miss
Sarah J. Farmer. Mrs. F. H. Gerrish, Mrs.
Joha Carroll Perkins and Mrs S. T. Pull
len Of Maine; Mrs. John F. Merrill, Mrs
David Starr Jordan, DIR. Charlotte Blake
Brown, Mrs. F. s. Hubbard, Miss Caroline
tive women of every other state and terri
tory.
Principal and Interest.
The late G. Brown Goode, former director
OF the National Museum, in an address,
previous to his death, said: 1.-THE sum of
$A4O1 900 (amount of Washington's bequest
with compound interest to the present
tlme), II appropriated for this purpose by
Congress and placed in the treasury of the
United States, there to remain paving in
terest would yield over 1854 600 each year,
sum that would provide for many pro-
lessorships. lectureships, scholarships and
1euowsnips. as well as for the current ex-
penses OF several seminaries or colleges
Private gifts would in time be added in
large amounts. and Congress would of
course erect such buildings as from time to
time were found necessary.
Naturally the first question asked by
everyone when he first learns of this be-
quest Is. What has become of the money!
and Why have we not heard of this be-
Tore! l can only answer that 1t is because
", we nave read history not carefully enough.
That the fact remains is beyond question
Ing. Ex-Governor John w. Hoyt chair
man OF the committee Of one hundred, asks
IN his Senate document, No. 222 Of the SD
Congress-:
Would 1t not be very proper thing for
the Congress of the United States, as the
custodian Of so sacred a trust to institute
without further delay an inquiry into the
property interest committed to its keeping
by George Washington, and in case it
should be found impracticable to recover
what has thus been lost through neglect,
couid the government justly do less than
TO make 1t good, both the PRINCIPAL and
the compound interest enjoined, by accord
ing such aggregate sum a part of what
will be required as a foundation for the
university SO wisely planned by Washing
ton?'"
Earnest Advocates.
Tie importance of such a university was
urged by the trainers Of the American Con-
stitution and several of the Presidents, in
GLIDING George Washington, John Adams
Thomas Jefferson. James Madison. James
Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Ulysses s.
Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, pressed
us early establishment as a patriotic duty.
the first named even remembering it with
the gift Of several properties. The propo-
sition to establish 1t has also been sa n,tinn.
ed by other leading statesmen throughout
the period of our national history.
In 1871 the United States Senate created
a select committee to establish the IJni-
versity Of the United States and the, fol-
lowing were appointed members of it:Geo.F
Edmunds chairman; Senators Sherman. In.
and Barbour. NAoeo''
history records that the suggestion was
onereo to Washington by one of his Of
neers. while the army was in camp at
S s, Mass. In October. 1775-a mere
suggestion then made in answer to remarks
upon the damage the militia were doing
10 the colleges In which they were quar-.
'e.e9 ana In the following words:
SAA' ~ AAoAC dAuSuQS LOT these injuries
1 hope after our war we shall erec1 a nnhIs
nauonal university, at which the youth of
an tne world may be proud to receive in
General Washington, in response to ~.
FOREGOING: said: Young man. you are
prophet, inspired to speak what 1 am con.
ndent Will one day be realized
still More Important.
Even more important is the remark of
washington after the revolutionary war.
while the work Of establishing a M.
oonaI university may be properly deferred
until Congress Is comfortably accomro.
dated and the city has so far grown as N
be prepared for 1t. the enterprise must not
oe iorsotien' and trust have not omit
teo 70 take such measures as will at all
events secure the entire object in time re-
ferring. evidently. to his intended henuest
IN writing on this subject to Mai Geo II
ar dses 80 OF p TINS city. Mrs Ellen A. Rich
movement for the erection of the Iyniyar.
sity OF the United States, says:
the wish and bequest Of George Wash
iEgton, the sure love of devoted men tha
nights and dews Of oblivion, have ali fn,e
nfed the conditions of nature SO far "a
II ey could. and stand ready for fha 30
icaL influence OF woman's cooperation to
help the realization of this ideal nowar ~
practical life. And 80 the George Wa.h to
ington memorial committee is orxant-ina
throughout the land, with definite aims ;ns
oennite time, and may add, with Definite
assurance of success.
Ground Held for the Purpose.
There are nineteen acres OF ground near
Lafayette. Square. Washington, now owned
by our government and held for the pur-
pose Of the University Of the United States
The patriotic ladies of America are to
build the administration building, and thew
propose to make the 22d Of February. 1898
the nations first offering day for this mr..
pose, asking no large coutrihlttons H.