The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-11
A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
Main Topic Discussed by the Educa
tiOnaI Convention.


tiOnaI Convention.
CHARLESTON. s. c.. July 10.-The
National Educational Convention was for
ma11y opened here today. The board OF di-
| rectors declined to make an appropriation
to further the work of getting a universal
phonetic spelling reform system and re-
ferred the report on the subject to tho
national council. which will not act until
next year.
The establishment Of a national univer-
sity was the chief topic discussed today
at the national council and the opinion
| seemed to favor such plan. The dis
| cussion was brought about by the report
| Of President W. r. Harper. OF the Chicago
University. who said such a scheme was
inexpedient and unnecessary and he laid
down number Of propositions in which
he endeavored to prove his position.
President Harper gave q running account
| OF the meeting Of the committee at WASH
inston and referred to the papers specially
prepared on the subject by President Eliot.
OF Harvard: President Butler, Of CO.
| iumDia; DR.. James, OF the Chicago Uniyer-
| sity. and others. President Harper said
that his remarks on the university plan
were OF a personal character and were
not the basis of the committees report
PRESIDENT Harper said that the National
educational Association, In July. 1897. ap-
pointed committee to devise a plan for
the land grant colleges having access to
the Congressional Library and the nuseum
corrections OF the Smithsonian Institution.
NIhe committee reported favorably and its
report was adopted BY the association.
The board OF regents Of the institution
commended the committee for its efforts.
but did not see its way clear to agree to
the propositions which had been advanced
DR.. Harper then discussed plans for tina
establishment OF the school which were
largely dependent on the bureau OF educa-
ton or on a commission from the COLLEGES.
Prof Nicholas Murray Butler, Of Columbia
University. said that he was deeply inn
pressed with the opportunities for higher
study and research at Washington. and he
he did not see why these should be dis
regarded. He believed they should BE-
accepted. He said he believed 1t was .
question Of administration. He favored
building around the Smithsonian Insti,u-
did not want to see present opportunities
go to waste.
James B. Baker, President of the Uni
versity Of Colorado. said the committee
should have sought the views Of presidents
Of State colleges and universities. He In
timated that there was desire from some
quarters to ignore certain educational in
terests for the aid Of others. President
Baker said hewanted to see the Government
conduct the proposed university and that It
should be managed with hand entirely
free from politics. After a great deal Of
other discussion tkis resolution, offered by
President Swayns. OF the University Of In
diana. was adopted:
Resolved. That the personal report OF the
Chairman OF the Committee Of this Council on the
National University. be recrived the cr-rrri-tee
be continued. and the council defer for the pres
rnt expression of opinion concerning The
shmert OF university at Washington
The convention proper was called to
order this afternoon and was officially
10 Charleston by Governor Nc
Sweeny. There were other addresses Of
and prominent members OF the
responded to the welcome
President Corson. OF the National Educa-
.ional Association. delivered his annual ad-
iress In which he discussed various mat
ters Of interest and Importance to the
The attendance thus far has
been small.