The Globe-republican., 1897-12-16
4 NATIONAL SCHOOL.
BIG SCHEME FOR A Ma
TlONAL UNIVERSITY.
01lls latPodaeod Ia the House oad -.
0t0-Tho Movement H0Goa In Wash-
laGt0a's Tlms--frovides fer - In.
seitutioa 81 she Hieh hest LoaPnisg.

establish the University Of the United
States was introduced in both Houses
of Congress to-day. The bill in gem
eral terms provides for an institution
Of the highest possible type, for the
graduates Of accredited colleges and
universities only. with special refer
enes to the work Of original research
and investigation IN all important
fields Of inquiry.
The government is vested in . board
Of regents and university council
The board Of regents embraces tho
President of the United States, tho
Chief Justice of the Supreme court Of
the United States. tho Commissioner
Of Education, the Secretary of the
Smithsonian institution. tho president
Of the National Academy of
Sciences, the president of tho
National Educational association,
the president of the university
and nine other citizens to be sproint-
ed by the President, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate. No
two of them shall be from the same
state The university council is to
have immediate charge of the work of
instruction, research and investiga-
ton. 1t consists of the regents and
twelve other members. to be appoint
cd by them from among eminent edu.
Gators, with a like impartial distribu-
ton.
Neither sectarian nor political pref.
erences III any form are to be allowed,
whether in the appointment or in any
of the operations of the institution.
is given to establish with
other institutions of learning such CO.
operative relations as are deemed ad-
vantageous Provision Is made for
tho use of what is known as ''Univer-
sity Square," the site set apart by
Washington for university purposes
and lately occupied by the naval OBJ
servatory.
Congress Is now asked for but enough
means to enable the board of regents
20 organize and practically inaugurate
the institu ton. Gifts and requests
are to be deposited in the United
States treasury in trust and invested
In bonds of the United States bearing
8 per cent interest.
The present bill is the outgrowth Of
more than 100 years of agitation. The
thought of q National university first
came to Washington while command
ing the Revolutionary army. Suisse
quently, rs President, he repeatedly
urged its establishment, and in mis-
last will and testament left SOS, 900 In
stocks as a first endowment, the inter
est to be compounded. Had Congress
fostered the plan this sum would now
be nearly 100000. The idea thus
cherished by the Father of His Coun-
try was also Endorsed by Presidents
John Adams, jefferson. Madison. Mou.
roe, John Quincy Adams and Jackson.
and in more recent years. by Presi-
dents Grant and Hayes. During all
this time the measure was advocated
by men the most distinguished for
learning and craftsmanship. but. ow.
ing to the lack of organized effort,
nothing practical was accomplished.
The present general movement was
begun at the Republic Congress
Of 1881 by the appointment Of com.
mittec of promotion.
It is the intention Of the National
University committee that the govern
ment shall cooperate in the establish
ment of the proposed university. and
It is intended that the bill shall be
pressed to early passage. SO that July
0, 1899, the Tooth anniversary of Wash
ington's bequest, shall witness at least
the practical beginning of what should
become the leading university Of the