Evening journal., 1900-03-08
A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

PET SCHEME OF WASHINGTON'S.
TRACT OF LAND AND s25. 900 FOR
PROJECT.
Washington, March AT intervals
ever since the early days of the re-
public, there have been plans on foot
to establish in Washington a National
University. but as nothing definite ever
resulted from these efforts, they were
abandoned and the subject entirely for
gotten, except by very few. During
the last FIVE years, however, interest
has been awakened in the scheme and
committees appointed who have done
such efficient work that a bill has re-
Gently been introduced into Congress
to establish IL. Il may not be very
generally known that this was a pet
scheme Of General Washington, and
that TO carry IL out he set apart a Ger
tain tract Of land and left SIS 900 to
be used towards its establishment.
As II is more than likely that the
bill will be passed by Congress. it may
be Of interest o know on just what
lines such an institution will be car
ried out The object of It is declared to
be the Advancement OF knowledge by
means Of instruction, exclusively post
graduate and special, and by original
research and investigation for the bene-
fit OF mankind IL provides that the
lectures and other facilities of the uni
versity shall be open to all persons
deemed competent to use them. author
lizing the granting OF certificates for
work actually done, but reserves full
membership, in the institution To those
having at least such attainments as are
represented; by a baccalaureate degree
and empowers the board Of regents to
confer such degrees as may be deemed
advisable. upon the recommendation OF
tHe president OF the university and the
university council. IL authorizes also
the establishment of such cooperative
relations with other institutions OF
learning as may be considered mutually
advantageous.
i II especially provides that neither
sectarian nor partisan preferences shall
be allowed in any form. tits thought bS
many that a national university is moi
necessity in a city already so liberal
Il ~ endowed with institutions OF learn
ing. but, on the other hand, there ar,
very many who consider that tn,
wishes Of President Washington should
be carried out. for the reason that hi
judgment in all matters has been foune
to be unquestionable. The bill pro
yides that the university shall be gov
lerned by board Of regents. for fnan
ciaI management. which is to includ
the president OF the United States, tn
chief justice OF the Supreme Court tn
commissioner OF education, the secre
tary Of the Smithsonian Institution
the president Of the university and rep
resentatives Of various national organi
cations as members ex-officio, and 81,
appointees OF the president OF tn
United States TO be confirmed by tn
Senate. The university council, 10
educational control, will include, be
sides the said board Of regents, on
representative from each OF the NOR
advanced institution OF 1earnin
throughout the country.
II this bill is passed. the nations
capital will then have FIVE frst-class IN
stituuons Of learning. besides school
and the special scientific department
OF the government. which have In thei
employ some Of the brainiest men Il
the country in their own departments.