The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-22
AN AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
Plans for the Estnblfshment IF n
Great school I'm Paris.

Paris has not relaxed its efforts in the mat
ter OF the proposed American National In
stitute at Paris 10 be erected on ground
donated by the Government OF France. a
good deal Of literature on this subject came
before Congress at the last session. Presi-
dent Mckinley in his last annual message
said:
'The United States Government build
ing is approaching completion and no eff
fort will be spared to make it worthy in
beauty Of architectural plan and In com
pleteness of display, to represent our ma
! ton II has been suggested that a peFrna-
nent building of similar or appropriate de-
sign be erected on a convenient site. al
ready given by the municipality. near the
exposition grounds, to serve in commcmoT-
alton Of the part taken by this country in
this great enterprise. as an American Ma
tlonal Institute. for our countrymen re-
sorting TO Paris for study"
Miss Matilda Smedley. one OF the most
ectiye promoters Of the plan has wTittei
10 the Secretary Of State that the aim Of
the American National Institute shall be
to- procure for the young men and women or
the United States the advantage Of finish
ing IN France their education in literature
and the sciences as well as in the differ
ent branches Of the arts; for example
painting, engraving, sculpture. architec-
ture. music. and the drama. Scholarships
fPrx cey Paris) will also be created SINH
lar to the scholarships CPrix &c Renee
which are awarded TO French artists
There has been submitted 10 the au-
thorities Of the United States a report
by NJ Emile Clairin. Councillor of Paris.
showing that the Government Of France
has granted and is ready TO negotiate
M - h
It's duly authorized represen tatives. for
a plot Of ground in the city OF Paris for
the purpose Of establishing the equiya-
lent for the youth OF America OF the
schools furnished by France at Athens and
Rome. A translation OF the report reads
as follows:
The American National Institute. au-
thorized by the State OF New York. On
the 9Th day Of December. 1895. has ad-
dressed TO you a petition asking for the
concession OF a plat OF ground in the
City Of Paris upon which to construct
a palace corresponding TO our academy
at Rome and our school at Athens
The aim OF this institute is to procure
for the young men and women OF the
United States the advantage OF finishing
IN France their education-literary. SCI
entihc. OF in the different branches OF the
arts; painting. engraving. sculpture
architecture. music. dramatic art. etc
The maintenance OF the institute VII
be assured by the maintenance Jof the
scholarships created. either BY private
persons or BY forty-fve States OF the
Union The construction OF the palace
would be betrayed BIZ an oficiaI grant Of
100000 francs. and. We must add. il
would already have been begun but for
d legal hindrance preventing the United
States Government from acquiring proper
~ directly or Indirectly in = foreign
country.
This project was from the very first
much approved Of In America. and we
have befo-e-Js a list Of about 500 adhe-
rents. and We find the institute has al
ready received impo-tSnt endowments.
such as that OF Mrs. Waldeu-Pell honor
able president OF the Institute, amounting
10 100000 francs. for the creation OF a
scholarship for music TO bear her name:
that Of Mrs James Jackson. il memory
OF her husband, % the like sum. With
the further promise Of contributing to-
ward the establishment Of the institute
library. that Of Mrs. Frank Leslie Of
New York, amounting 10 25.000 francs etc.
You viii find elsewhere. attached 70 this
report. the names Ct the members Of
the first committee. the composition OF
which you viii appreciate al its full
value.
we regret we are unable 10 place be
fore you the long list. read by US. OF the
marks Of sympathy and adhesion that the
American National Institute has obtained
in France among artists and literary and
scientific men.
We are net surprised at this for this
enterprise Of such great utility to the
youth OF America. is invested with a
grandeur which Will not escape you. Your
commission has considered that il cannot
remain Indifferent TO this, the more that
you. like ourselves. are greatly touched BY
this fresh homage paid 20 the city Of Paris.
considered in the light Of the luminous
centre Of civilization
Unfortunately. It IS impossible for US
on many accounts. TO make the institute
the free gift CT municipal plat OF ground
To- the erection OF its palace. But il has
appeared to your fourth commission that
all difficulties could be avoided by conced-
ing 20 the institute. under certain confi-
tons TO be discussed. a piece Of ground for
a long period-iifty years. for instance
and renewable. for the nominal rent OF I
frame yearly We cannot further discuss
the contract to intervene. II sUlIici today
10 make its outlines. You viii have to ex-
anime II il detail in your next sitting g. as
we hope, you return the petition ia ques-
ton with a favorable notice 10 the prefec-
Of the Seine. that he may enter into nego-
tiatiCn with the founders Of the American
National Institute
We caunot but suppose ourselves to be
the interpreters Of the entire council as
we are already of your commission Of edu-
cation and the fine arts. in respectfully
cOngratulating Miss Matilda Smedlev
founder of the in y-itute. upon her generous
and noble initiative.
If it is Of interest to the youth of
America. IL the city Of Paris should rejoice
at it, the whole Of France will applaud.
happy in the glory OF her artists and the
genius Of her scholars. proud Of the light
they shed on the world
4 petition sent TO the President OF the
United States. after reciting the aims and
concluded as follows:
in view Of all these facts and especially
OF the generosity and good will shown by
We trust that we are not asking too much
that this matter may now be brought TO the
attention of Congress to the end that. in
its wisdom. an appropriation Of $4,000
may be granted with which to erect a suit
able structure in Paris upon the grounds
so generously donated. to be known as the
American National Institute with all its
immense advantages to the American
youth, male and female
When the gifts that have been donated
are called in their total value Will not be
less than S100.c00.
The scholarships that have been given
are as follows: Mrs. Walden-Pell. SO eco:
Mrs. James jackson. SIC. goo; Mrs Frank
Leslie. S, COO; Baroness SeilIiere. SEQ; the
Baroness Zedwitz. $500.
The Institute will be self-sustainine
through private contributions and scholar