The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-11
THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Washington Indicated a Desire fer
-tfEitI'
Such an Institution.
Prof. Thomas Wilson Explains the
Purposes and scope of the Propos-
ed Great Educational EstablIsh-
ment-COnscienti6 Work. Done

| NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. work Done
The agitation in behalf of a Nationa
University is based, it is said, primari
ly upon the following, written b.
George Washington III 1795:
Il have greatly wished to see a plal
adopted by which the arts sciences, AM
belles-lettres could be taught in tt1ei
fullest extent. thereby embracing al
the advantages of European tuition
with the means of acquiring the liberia
knowledge which is necessary to quail
fly our citizens for the eXigencies OF
public as well as of private life, and
(Which with me is a consideration OF
great magnitude) by assembling the
youth from the different parts of this
rising Republic, contributing from their
intercourse an Interchange of informa-
ton To the removal of prejudices which
might sometimes arise from local cir
| cumstances."
Washington manifested his faith in
the project by beaueathing stocks to
the value of 600 as a personal con-
| tribution toward his ideal seminary of
learning" and later in officially reserv-
ing tract of nineteen acres in this
| city. long known as University
| Square as site for the institution.
| 1T may be as well to mention, how
| ever, in this connection said Prof
| Thomas Wilson, who has been connect
ed with the present National Universi-
ty almost from its foundation, that the
stocks which Washington bequeathed
for his proposed national institution of
learning were in the Great Falls water
works of which great hopes We're enter
tanned at one time, but which have gone
to rack and ruin many years ago, SC
that the stocks would not be worth the
paper they were written on at the pres
ent time. This little fact is generally
not mentioned by the advocates of the
National University, notably by the
trainers of the numerous bills presented
before Congress for the establishment
of the institution. A Congressional
committee, however, investigated the
matter in recent years and showed the
worthlessness of the stock bequeathed
by Washington.
Regarding my opinion as to the ad-
visibility of making the scientific de-
partments and bureaus of the Govern
ment parts of a great educational insti-
tuition. cannot myself approve. There
are so many things to be cited as OPP
Grating against the success of such an
undertaking 1t will, l am convinced, |
be impossible to eliminate the clement
of politics in the curriculum of such de- |
ne Of
finance, and diplomacy, each political |
party endeavoring to inculcate its own |
principle in such questions.
Special Investigations OF various |
scientists now employed directly or in
under the Government would
necessarily be interrupted by the duties
of teacher should these be superad-
ded, while the latter office would not be
as satisfactorily filled as by some one
whose province 1t is, thus resulting,
perhaps, in injustice to both professor
and pupil. AS it is now, any earnest in
vestigator is welcome to all the facili-
ties that can be afforded him in any of
the scientific branches of the Govern
ment. provided only that the necessary
work of the Government be not inter-
rupted.
Without going into further particu-
lars to Justify my opinion, will only
say. then, that do not see the necessi-
" for the amalSamation of the Govern
nent's scientific branches to serve the
purposes of an educational institution.
is proposed"
Prof. Wilson is one of the incorpora- I
ors of the present National University, i
laving been identified with that institu- {
ion since its foundation as member of {
he board of regents and professor in /;
he medical department. In speaking :
# the origin of the university, Prof. /,
Wilson said:
During the civil war, and for a year t
II SO after the legal termination of that '
ontest, combination barrack and il
ospital was situated on Judiciary .
square. which was surrounded by a Y
Ugh fence. The barrack or hospital v
vas for invalid soldiers, and drills were
eld there in which some of the partici S
ants were without arms of any de-
cription, some with uniforms, some i
ressed in civilian clothes, and many h
nth crutches and sticks instead of | d
words or guns. Such was the motley 0
martial array that was presented In | h
ne Inaneuvres that were conducted on | y
ne parade ground of judiciary Square. /,
ne end of which, that on which the | h
ension Ofnce now stands, was adorned c
Y the District Jail, and the other as II
oday, by the City Hall. r
ON the northeast corner of Z Street It
nd facing the tall wooden fence sur o.
judiciary Square, was a II
niiding used during hostilities as an c;
rmy hospital. When there was no
lrther use for this structure as a hos
ltal 1t was let as a public hall And
ere 1t was that Mr.. John w. Hoyt. II
tterward Governor of New Mexico
a course of law lectures for
he benefit of whoever wished to at
nd them. This was the beginning Of I'd
e National University, although it Ct
as not incorporated until 1879 M
y considerable controversy was in m
liSed IN and numerous petitions made OF
Congress before this result was fin SO
ly achieved. At length the institution be
as started under the name of the Ma tn
onai University, although not con- ia
,cted in any manner with the Govern of
ent, excepting inasmuch as the presi w
mt OF the United States was made er
-ofl1cio chancellor and each wear
'arded the degrees. The first Presi- =
mt TO question the official nature of =,
chancellorship of the university was NJ
T. Harrison, and since his time even
national character given to the so
by this means ceased c
The incorporators of the National In KIN
arsity were Hon. Arthur Macarthur Ia
Emery HAn |