The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-13

WASHINGTON, Dec 1.-THE bill to
establish the University of the United
States will again be introduced in both
houses of congress tomorrow.
The bill provides for an institution Of
the highest possible type, for the grad
yates of accredited colleges or univer-
stiles only, with special reference to
the work of original research and in
vestigation in all important fields of
inquiry. The government is vested in
a board Of regents and a university
council. The board of regents embra-
ces the president of the United States,
the chief justice of the United States,
the commissioner of education, the
secretary of the Smithsonian institu-
ton, the president of the National
Academy of Sciences, the president of
the National Educational association,
the president of the university and
nine other citizens to be appointed 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 i'm
mediate charge of the work of instruc-
ton, research and investigation. 1t
consists of the regents and twelve
other members, to De 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 governing the internal
management of the institution. Mel
ther sectarian nor political preferences
in any form are to be allowed, wheth-
er in the appointments or in any Of
the operations of the institution. Au-
thority is given to establish with other
institutions of learning such co-opera-
tive relations as are deemed advan-
tageous. Provision is made for the
use of what is known as University
square, the site set apart by Washing
ton for university purposes and lately
occupied by the naval observatory.
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 invested in bonds
of the United States, bearing per
cent interest
WASHINGTON'S REQUEST.
The present bill is the outgrowth Of
more than a hundred years of agita-
ton. The thought of a national uni
Versity first came to Washington while
commanding the revolutionary army.
Subsequently, as president, he repeat
edly urged its establishment, and in
his last will and testament left $25, 900
in stocks as a first endowment, the
interest to be compounded. Had con-
greSS fOstered the plan, this sum
would now be nearly $5,O00,OOO. The
idea thus cherished by the father OF
his country was also indorsed by Pres
idents Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John
Quincy Adams and Jackson, and In
more recent years by Presidents Grant
and Hayes. During all this time the
measure was advocated by men the
most distinguished for learning and
craftsmanship, but owing to the lack
of organized effort nothing, practical
was accomplished.
The more modern movement in this
cause may be said to have been in
augurated in 1869 by the National Edu-
cational association, after an appeal
from DIR. John w. Hoyt, of Wisconsin,
at the close of his educational tours
of inspection in all the countries or
Europe and in the American states by
authority of the government. That
great association thrice unanimously
indorsed the university proposition
and through its committee a bill was
introduced and unanimously reported
in the house of representatives in 1873.
The measure continued to receive the
Endorsement of leading scholars and
statesmen from time to time, and III