The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-20

would now have amounted, at compound
interest. to more than $i,JOOo00. The be-
quest consisted OF fifty shares, at ~"
each. I'm the old Potomac Canal Conn
pany. and was directed by Washington
to be given by his executors in trust 10
the Treasurer OF the United states, I'M
der the direction of Congress. The Con-
crosses Of the first quarter or the CEN
fury took no steps 10 obtain possession
OF the Request for the government ana
i'm the meantime the Potomac Company
lost it's identity I'm the Chesapeake ana
Ohio Canal Company.
Loose business methods and great care
lessness on the part of everybody inter-
ested soon rendered it impossible 10 10
cate the Whereabouts Of the shares ana
to-day legal experts say that IL would
probably be impossible TO find Them or
their equivalent i'm - stock OF otner
companies and TO realize upon them. III
is supposed that some time after the
settlement Of Washington's estate since
the government made no effort 10 cialm
the bequest. the executors allowed the
shares In the Potomac Company to pass
into the hands Of the legatees. THESE
canal shares are believed TO be the only
gift which Washington allowed himself
10 accept i'm return for his services dur
ing the Revolution and in .he establish
ment Of the government. They were volt
ed TO him by the Legislature OF virginia
and were accepted only as a trust TO be
devoted at the death Of the first Presi-
dent TO some worthy object.
The pending Senate bill carries with
II an appropriation Of only a few thou
sand dollars for the purpose OF prelim-
mary organization II was introduced by
Senator Kyle. chairman Of the Commit
tee on Education and Labor, and has
been referred to the standing commit
tee 20 establish the University Of the
United States. OF which Senator yelling
ton is chairman and which counts among
its membership Senators Frye, Nelson
Foraker. Deyoe. Jones, Turpie, Walthah
and Clay. similar bill has been pre-
scented in almost every Congress since
the First and its passage was siren
uously advocated by both Presidents
Adams and by Jefferson, Madison, Mon
roe. Jackson. Grant, Hayes and Cleve-
land. President Mckinley did not touch
upon the subject in his annual message.
but he is understood 10 strongly favor
the bill.
THE PRESENT MOVEMENT.
It seems indeed strange that the gen
eral public should have so long been
kept i'm ignorance of a movement which
is not only a century old. but which pos
sesses the added significance of having
been the dream I'm the otherwise prac-
teal life of our first President. The pres
ent general movement in favor of the
university was begun at the Pan-Amer-
lean Congress in 1891 by the appointment
OF "a Committee of Promotion, which
lately became what is now known as the
National University Committee Of one
Hundred. OF which Chief Justice Fuller
is chairman eX-officiO. and which includes
the presidents Of all the State universi-
ties. the superintendent of public in
struction of all the States and many
other distinguished scholars, scientists
and men Of affairs.
No costly equipment will be provided
at first, but merely a few lecture rooms
and "a working library on the Naval OBJ
servatory site. the present observatory
buildings being. perhaps utilized tempo
rarily Courses of lectures by prominent
teachers fla the American colleges will be
established I'm political constitutional
and diplomatic history all branches Of
political science, statistics, administra-
ton and international law. and later
on courses I'm science and literature IN
special advanced lines.
The woman's movement for raising the
fund OF $4,000 Is being conducted with
the approval Of the National University
Committee. Mrs Brice. Mrs Hanna.
Mrs Miles (wife OF the GeneraD and Mrs.
David Starr Jordan are among the in
nuenual promoters of the movement.
Their efforts have already resulted IN
the pledging of considerable sums for the
building fund as well as endowments ior
a chair of music one OF literature and
one Of surgery. All the pledges are con-
ditional upon the passage OF the bill
pending I'm Congress.
The 22d day of the present month is the
l66th anniversary Of the birth OF Wash
ingt0n. and is the final date set by the
Women's Memorial Association for the
receipt of the names of new members
Of the association. Members whose
names are approved up TO that date by
the Executive Committee Of which Mrs.
Ellen \. Richardson, OF Boston, IS presi-
dent will bee considered charter members
Of the association. and every woman who
subscribes at least s. 10 the promotion
fund will receive certificate Of mem
borship issued by the Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing under special order
of former Secretary of the Treasury
Carllsle.-New York Herald.