Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-25

George Washington foresaw this unifying
nauonaltzins function of the capital, and
1or that reason proposed to locate in it the
| national University which 10 projected.
| here ne said the susceptible youth of the
| lsrd, In the atmosphere of the nations
| CITY, and viewing the workings Of the gen.
efai government, would be impressed with
| love OF our national institutions coun-
teractfng both foreign influences and sec.
uonal sentiments. The university of which
| ne dreamed was never born. but. carrying
out his idea on a grander scale, the capital
itself has become a national university. in
| which its whole people are students, for
| the promotion of liberal, enlarged and pa
triotic Amer1canism. teaching enthusiastic
| better citizens"
| Commissioner Wight introduced.
| President Noyes' utterances, especially
those in regard to this city. as IMPLYING
the unity OF the nation, were received with
| rounds Of applause.
| Mr.. Noyes then introduced Commissioner
John B. Wight, saying that under the Con-
stitution Of the United States the President
| Is IN elect the mayor of the city. but DEL
eeates his duties to a board of three Com
missioners. one of whom has heen pro-
| mcted from the office of secretary OF the
| beard or trade to a position in that body.
| He went on to say that Mr.. Wight. to
| whom he referred. performed his duties as
| commissioner with the same conscientious
| fidelity as he had those of secretary of the
| beard. Designating him as a fractional
| mayor OF Washington, Mr.. Moves then
called upon Mr.. Wight.
| The latter never had the reputation of
| being Ar orator. but his practical earnest
| treatment OF public questions has always
| made him a tavoTite speaker Last even
| Ing, however. as he spoke of Washington,
| his native city, ne really became eloquent.
| He said that while IL might seem the city
was threadbare theme on such occasions
| one. he said can always speak of his love,
| and he loved this city of his birth.
| He referred to its early colonial associa-
| tons. and its seventy-five years of neglect
| by Abe government. when 1t was allowed
| rot only to pay its own expenses. but to
| care for the government property well.
| During the last quarter of century, he
| went on to say. it has attained it's present
proportions as a magnificent city-the seat
| of religion. literature, art and diplomacy.
| and social life As the child of the richest
nation in the world, he asked. Why should
| she not have what she deserves? Does
| sny one he inquired. think the Long
| bridge is worthy of this city, or that the
| James Creek canal can be compared with
| the pleasure ways of Venice, or that the
| water supply is abundant and clean?
| He believed there would be no criticism
from the nation at large II the national
| legislators appropriated money to provide
| for this city what is necessary. From his
| experience in meeting with members OF
the appropriations committees of both
| houses, he believed that they had the earn
est desire to do all they possibly could for
| the city, but they were hampered by GER
| tain conditions. He said that all things
| necessary citizens may expect to have, as
| they say on the hill, when their dreams are
| realized through the Dingley tariff bill.
| Mr. Wights words evoked the heartiest
| demonstration Of approval from the au-
| deEce.
Representing Educational Interests.
| President Moves then called on Rev. DIR.
| Whitman president Of Columbian Cnivers-
ity. as the representative OF the education
| al influences in the city. President Whit
| man said that IL there was not single
school in Washington this city would be,
| as pointed out by President Moves, the
| greatest university in the country, but ne
| said in teaching there is a need or teach-
err and so for educational purposes some
thing more is needed than city. he
spoke of the number OF pupils IN the pun-
| lie and private schools in the city. and In
| the colleges and professional schools, ana
| said this school population was increas-
ing, and, while the present equipment,
| generally speaking, might be ample for
| the time, ii would need enlargement con-
| stantly. DIR. Whitman thought 1t was for
| tunate for those present that they were
| living in the greatest education center OF
| the country. He deprecated the idea of call
ing on the government to aid education,
| except as to the public schools, but ne
believed that such educational facilities as
| were controlled by tine government, as
collections of books and opportunities for
| research, should be made generally availa-
BILE if possible.
In speaking of the heroic in American
| history, he referred to the Maine disaster
| and spoke of the spectacle of a nation
| nder such a stress waiting calmly, firm
In the conviction that the truth must first
be known: Such nation. he said. was
| not wanting in the heroic. DIR. Whit
mans speech, which was thoughtful one
| was varied by several bright anecdotes,
which We're received with appreciation
When the City Was a Hamlet.
Gen. John NJ. Wilson, chief of engineers
was introduced by President Noyes as a
native of Washington. and he referred to
| his services to the city as superintendent
Of the public buildings and grounds, and
then as head of the engineer corps.
Gen. Wilson's speech was full Of fire
| and earnestness, and elected many evil
| dences of approval from the audience
| He said he was born in this city sixty
years ago. and his father ninety-two years
ago, and mis- grandfather 105 years ago
and he thought that few Washingtonians
| present could exceed that record.
| Gen. Wilson spoke of his early recollcc-
| tions of this city when it was a hamlet
| with Its unpaved streets, and compared
1t with its present magniiicence. He said
| that, While great deal mad been accom-
| Ilished, mora was to be done. He thought
| that Massachusetts avenue should be con-
| tinued over Rock creek by a fine stone
|
| for the extension of Connecticut avenue
| He then spoke of the work of the Ensi-
| neer Corps III connection with the cree
ton of the Washington monument and
| other public structures in this city and
amid great applause, he said the city it
| self was a monument to the Engineer
| Corps.
| The Congregational Contingent.
| President Noyes then called on members
of the Senate and House for brief speeches
| prefacing this part of the program with
4 the statement that IL he could make sug-
gestions of topics which might be discuss
ed he would include in the list the compile
ton of the system Of sewage disposal, the
| abatement of the James Creek canal null
| sance, the reclamation of the Anacostia
| flats, the increase and publication of the
water supply, the extension of the plan of
| city streets over the entire District and
the appropriation for free public library
| and a larger attendance of the House mem
| bers on District days.
In the absence of Speaker Reed, he said.
| he would call on the Nestor of the House
| Representative Payne of New York, who
| made very entertaining speech. Mr.
| Payne said he didn't understand why the
members OF the board of trade wanted-to
Il l.