The herald., 1897-12-13
Now Bids Fair to Become
a Reality
BILLS FOR ESTABLISHMENT
WILL COME BEFORE CONGRESS
TODAY
After One Hundred Years of Agita-
ton George Washington's idea
Will Be Carried Out
Associated Press Special Wire.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-The bill to
establish the University OF the Uniteo
States will again be introduced in both
houses Of congress tomorrow.
The bill, In general terms, provides for
an institution of the highest possible
type for the graduates of accredited
colleges and universities only, with spe-
cial reference to the work of original re-
search and investigation in all important
fields of inquiry. The government is
vested in a board of regents and uni
versity council. The board of regents
will embrace the president of the United
States, the chief justice of the supreme
court of the United States, the cham
Der of education, the secretary of the
Smithsonian institution, the president
of the National Academy of Sciences,
the president Of the National Education
al association, the president of the uni
verslty and nine other citizens, to be
appointed by the president, by and with
the advice and consent of the senate, no
two or them to be from the same state.
The university council is to have imme-
ditae charge of the work of instruction,
research and investigation. 1t consists
of the regents and twelve other men,
bers, to be appointed by them from
among eminent educators, whit like
impartial distribution. All courses and
officers of instruction are to be deter
mined by the council, as are also regula-
tions governing the internal manage
ment of the institution. Neither sec
tartan nor political preferences in any
form are to be allowed, whether in the
appointment or in any of the operations
of the institution. Authority is given
to establish with other institutions of
learning such cooperative relations as
are deemed advantageous. Provision is
made for the use of what is known as
university square," the site set apart
by Washington for university purposes
and lately occupied by the naval con-
servatory. Congress is now asked for
but enough means to enable the board
of regents to organize and practically
inaugurate the institution. Gifts and
bequests are to be deposited in the
United States treasury in trust and in
vested in bonds of the United States
bearing per cent interest.
The present bill is the outgrowth of
more than 100 years of agitation. The
thought of university first came to
Washington while commanding the rev.
olutionary army. Subsequently, as
president, he repeatedly urged its es-
tablishment, and in his last will and
testament left $25,0 in stocks as first
endowment, the interest to be COM
pounded. Had congress fostered this
sum, it would now be about $5,000,0 900. |
The idea thus cherished by the father of
his country was also indorsed by Pres |
idents John Adams Jefferson, Madison, |
Monroe, John Quincy Adams and jack |
son, and in more recent yea.s by Presi- |
dents Grant and Hayes. During all this |
time the measure was advocated by men |
most distinguished for learning and |
craftsmanship. but, owing to the lack of |
organized efforts, nothing practical was
accomplished.
The more modern movement in this
cause may be said to have been inau-
guarated in 1869 by the National Educa-
tional association, after an appeal from
DR.. John w. Hoyt of Wisconsin, at the
close of his educational tours of inspec-
tion in all the countries of Europe and
in the American states by authority of
the government That great association
thrice unanimously indorsed the univer-
sity proposition, and through its COM
mittee a bill was introduced and unani-
mously reported in the house of repre-
sentatives in 1873. The measure con-
tinued to receive the Endorsement of
leading scholars and statesmen from
time to time, and in 1890 a university
bill was introduced in the senate by Ed
munds of Vermont and, upon his motion,
referred to select committee, with
Senator Proctor as chairman. The pres
ent general movement was begun at the
pan-republic congress in 1891 by the ap-
pointment of a committee of promotion,
to be enlarged in the discretion of its
chairman, Ex-Governor John W. Hoyt,
which committee, by steady growth be-
came what is known as the National
University committee of one hundred-a
committee now grown to several hum
dred, embracing the presidents of all the
state universities and some 200 other
leading institutions, the superintend-
ents OF public instruction of all the states
but one, and many of our most distin-
guished statesmen, scholars and men of
affairs.
With the approval of the National
University committee, patriotic women
OF the country, under the lead of Mrs.
Ellen A. Richardson of Boston, have or
ganzed the George Washington me-
mortal committee as an auxiliary. their
purpose being to raise by popular sub
scription $250000 for the erection on
University square Of a first university
building
1t 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 an early passage, so that July 8, 1899,
the Tooth anniversary of Washingtons
bequest shall witness at least the practi
cal beginning Of what should become
the leading university of the world.
The German Ca.p {