The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-13

Washington, Dec. 12.-The bill to
establish the University of the United
States viii again be introduced in both
houses Of congress tomorrow.
The bill, IN general terms, provides
FOR an institution of the highest posi-
bic type for the graduates of ac-
credited colleges and universities only,
ETith special reference to the work Of
original research and investigation in
ali important fields of inquiry
The government is vested in a board
OF regents and q university council
The board Of regents embraces the
president of the United States, the
chief justice OF the supreme court of
the United States, the commissioner
OF education, the secretary of the
Smithsonian institute the president of
the National Academy of Sciences, the
president of the National Educational
association, the president Of the uni
NerSlty. and nine other citizens, to be
appointed by The president, by and
with the advice and consent of the
senate, no two Of them to be from the
same state. The university council is
TO nave immediate charge Of the work
of instruction, research and investiga-
ton 1t consists OF the regents and u
other members, to be appointed by
them from among eminent educators,
with a like impartial distribution. All
COURSES and officers of instruction are
to be determined by the council: also
all regulations for the government and
internal mana cement Of the institution.
NON-POLITICAL.
Neither sectarian nor political prefer
ences in any form are to be allowed,
whether in the appointment or in any
of he
Authority is given to establish. with
other institutions of learning, such CO.
operative relations as are deemed adj
\ Vantageous- Provision is made for the
use Of what is known as University
4 square, the site set apart by Wash
lngton for university purposes and
lately occupied by the naval obserya-
tory Congress is now asked for but
enough means to enable the board of
1 regents to organize and practically in
d augurate the institution.
Gifts and requests are to be depoS-
tied in the United States treasury, in
n trust, and invested in bonds Of the
United States bearing 5 per cent inter
est.
CENTURY OF AGITATION.
The present bill is the outgrowth of
more than hundred years Of agita-
ton. The thought of a national uniVer-
" commanding the revolutionary army.
Subsequently. as president. he repeat
s eddy urged its establishment, and in
81 his last viii and testament left $25, 600
in stocks as q first endowment, the in
tereSt 10 be compounded. Had con-
VI gress fostered the plan this sum would
N now be nearly 50 000. 900. The idea thus
cherished by the father of his country
was also endorsed by Presidents John
s Adams, Jefferson. Madison, Monroe,
John Quincy Adams and jackson. and
n in more recent years by Presidents
Grant and Hayes.
During all this time the measure
{ was advocated by men, mostly distin-
n guished for learning and craftsmanship
j but owing TO the lack of organized eff
4 forts nothing practical was accom-
+ plished.
MODERN MOVEMENT.
The more modern movement in this
i case may be said TO have been inaug-
u~ated in 1859 by the National Educa-
I tional association. after an appeal from
4 DR.. john ". Hoyt Of Wisconsin, at the
Il close of his educational tour of inspec-
N ton in all the countries Of Europe anG
n In the American states, by authority OF
!. the government That great assOcia-
ton thrice unanimously endorsed the
Y university proposition, and through its
n committee 4 bill was introduced and
3 unanimously reported in the house OF
II representatives in 1873. The measure
continued to receive the endorsement OF
i leading scholars and statesmen from
{ time TO time, and, in 1890, a university
bill was introduced in the senate by
Mr. Edmunds Of Vermont, and upor
n his motion referred to a select com
lnittee, with Senator Proctor as chair
II man.
COMMITTEE OF SCHOLARS
The present general movement was
begun at the Pan-repuhlic congress OF
1851 by the appointment of a commit
& tee OF promotion to be enlarged in the
discretion Of its chairman, Ex-Governor
John w. Hoyt, which committee, by
steady growth, became what is known
as the national university committee OF
100 a committee now grown to SeVera
hundred, embracing the presidents OF
all the state universities, and some 2Ot
other leading institutions, the superin-
tendents on public instruction of al
the states but one, and many of oul
4 most distinguished statesmen, scholar:
and men Of affairs.
PATRIOTIC WOMEN
With the approval OF the nationa
university committee, patriotic womer
of the country, under lead of Mrs. Ell
len A. Richardson of Boston, have or.
SanlZeu the George washington mem
orial committee for auxiliary, though
independent work, their purpose being
to raise by popular subscription $3.50, OO
for the erection on University Square
Of a first university building.
THE INTENTION.
1t is the intention of the nationa
university committee that the govern
ment shall cooperate in the establish
ment of the proposed university, and i
is intended that the bill shall be pressed
to early passage, so that July 9, 1899
the 1e9th anniversary of Washington.
bequest, shall witness at least the prac
teal beginning OF what should becom.
the leading university of the world