New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-05

The committee composed Of prominent mem
bers OF the National Educational Association
which has been in session at Washington l''
last week has disapproved the proposition i"'
the establishment there Of National IhN''
sltv. This is the scheme that Ex-Governor Johh
" Uovt chairman Of the National committee
which was represented as promoting t. recent!
advocated in our columns with an array OF test
mony as TO the value of which we took the ND
ortv of disagrecing with him. and Of arguments
which II seemed 10 us there was no difficulty III
refuting. 1t IS naturally gratifying to ma mat
onr view Of the matter is sustained by the dis-
t,nculshed men who have been considering the
question IN the light Of all the evidence when
Governor Hoyt has been sedulousy collecting
for many years and most If not all OF whom as
we have been informed. were members OF MS
National committee and earnest supporters oil
his project 1890
In replving 10 Governor Hoyts recent letter
u.o soid that the idea Of establishing National
University as the logical elimination OF the
American system Of public education was itself
utterly illogical. inasmuch as there is no Ameri-
can system OF public education, the United
stotes never having gone into the business OF
celebrating a National system but having Oh
y.
Ind 70 bestow in building up their own educa-
t,onal systems. But in the same article we re-
ferred particularly to the wealth Of educational
r,oterial existing and constantly accommodating
ot the National capital and to the deslraoIity
~ fostering hv suitable means, and especially in
co-oneratlon with the Smithsonian Institution. a
moro comnlete use Of this material than has
hitherto been made Tie declaration of the Ed
nc fpp
to-o noints IS so excellent that we reprint IL
from Yesterdays Washington dispatches
Il has been and is one of the recognized func-
,iors - tho Federal Government 10 encouIase
and aid but not 10 control the edccauOha' III
etrurneutalities OF the country, that no one Oh
The hills heretofore brought before Congress 10
rrox.ide for the incorporation or Nauonal Onl-
itrsttv AZ Washington commends Itself TO the
judgement If this committee as practlcal meas
ure; that the Government Is not calieu up"n
maintain at the capital university l' VIC -
nary sense Of that term. that Subcommittee
he requested TO prepare for later conslieiai"n
bv the full committee detailed plan by Whlch
the students who have taken baccalaureat"
degree or have had an equivalent training may
have full and systematic advantage OF the OPP
nortunitles for advanced instruction and re-
search which are now or may be anorded py the
Government. such plan To include the co-opel"-
ton with the Smithsonian Institution ot the
universities willing TO accept a share or the re-
sponsibilitv incident thereto, II IS UNDERSTOOD
should hr such that whether or not govern
mental aid be given. there shall be- no discour-
agement Of private gifts or beluests IL is IN
dorst0od that the scope Of this plan should ne IN
dicated by the governmental collections ana
establishments which are now available. or as
they may hereafter be- increased and developed
by the Government for It's own purposes.
That statement clearly conveys just concep-
ton Of the manner in which the collections
which the Government is making aud such faci
tiles for research rs it can conveniently hesiow
on students may be prudenty utilized. and We
are glad 10 observe that subcommittee has
been appointed TO formulate plan for carrying
the idea into effect. or course no intelligent
man having the important interests which II is
designed 10 serve at heart will commit himself
I'm advance to the support OF whatever scheme
may be reported; but 1t IS reasonable 10 expect
tlat with the foregoing declaration as a basis
the subcommittee will succeed In its task Of
devising rational and practicable plan Of
| operations.