The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1899-02-15

and What is Necessary for Accomplish
ment of the Desired End.
The 22d of February, 1899, will be
known as Offering day" of the GeOrg'
Washington Memorial association, tn
country over. George Washington left
bequest of $25,OO0 for a University Of
the United States, and designated pli
of ground covering nineteen acres to
used as the site for the university build
ings. The ground is now part o
Washington city. 1t has, until recently
been occupied by the old Naval Observa-
tory, and has been known as university
Square," The sum bequeathed was
already invested, aud the will provided
for the Investment of all dividends ac-
cruing, until the amount was sufficient
for the purpose designated. UnfOrtu-
nately, through negligence, the bequest
has lapsed, and the ground is yet bare of
the improvements intended to be placed
upon it. Since the time of General
Washington's death in 1899, one hun
dred years ago, the question Of estab-
fishing, by the government, national
university has been agitated by states
men and educators, but with no definite
success. Adams, Jefferson, Jackson,
Madison, Monroe, Grant and Hayes,
among our presidents, were ardent
friends Of the university plan. Three
times the National Educational associa-
tiOn has endorsed WashingtOn's idea.
Scientists, jurists, and philanthropists,
men distinguished for learning and
craftsmanship and devoted love OF
country, have urged the same. The Pan
Republic congress took action by ap-
pointing a committee Of one hundred
eminent men, from which seventeen
were chosen, who prepared and intro
duced bill now pending in congress.
This provides for the more immediate
direction Of the university. 1t is de-
signed to be the ''crOwn and roof tree
Of our whole educational structure, and
Its advantages shall be free to all desir-
! ing, advanced learning, who shall be
| deemed by the council competent to use
j them. Neither sectarian nor partisan
preferences shall be allowed in any
4 form. Such cooperative relations will
llother institutions viii be established Al
shall be considered advantageous to pub
lie interest.
The government now sustains at Wash
} ingtOn under its fostering care, at al
J expenditure of nearly eight million dol
: lars, twenty-four departments of sciencI
J and every facility for research, open t,
the use Of students; but these are imper
fectly utilized for lack Of a central admin
istratiOn which would bind together, il
, we'll rounded whole, such OppOrtuni
ties, making SPLENDID foundation fO
, the addition of endowed chairs in Othe
departments of true university. Ii
| its post graduate character such an in
, sutton must rise above and cOmplet
/ the work of all colleges and schools o
: learning, thus affOrding OppOrtunitie
= for the research which leads thousand
Of students to the Institutions of the oil
world. A chair of music and literatur
, have been endowed. Four other chair
r are under discussion. 1t is believed tina
s the establishment Of the university will
call forth other endOwments from thos
r who will recognize no more lofty wa
}. ef perpetuating a name than to have
associated with the University Of tn
United States.
This will insure, from the first, a
h equipment unequalled by the best EU
Z rOpean universities, and make it pOssibl
r for America to rank with the highest /
1 her postgraduate, as she does in he
!. undergraduate educational advantage
r The George Washington Memoirs
d association originated with, and enlis
n ed the most prominent women uf I'll
n country. These have banded tOgethC
a and perfected organization, for the pu
J. pose Of carrying out the desire Of I'll
l. first president of this nation.
r In the absence of funds which Wasl
d ingtOn provided, it is proposed to gait
y er together $250,OOO in free will Offe
II ings from the women and children
g the land. The building to be erectC
n with this fund will be known as "Tl
d George Washington Memorial" Und
y national officers and state committee
10 each congressional district is organize
IS in thirty-fve states. The corner stOI
n of this particular edifice is to be la
ID July 8, 1899, the centennial Of his b
n quest. Securing this needed su
'r through small amounts from indivi
D uals, will create the sentiment while
l. cannot fail to bring action in congres
)f This effort has the cooperation Of W
q mems societies, such as the Reli
III nnrno nan&htnro ~ fbo Dauol-fio,, ~