Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-30

Congress in 1921 as Columbian College. 1t
has had a continuous and honorable exist
ence since its organization, and in 1873 Mr..
William w. Corcoran of this city gave
0GO0 to the college "for the purpose of
making 1t a university" and Congress
changed the name to Columbian Universi-
ty." 1t has five OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
of arts and sciences, undergraduate and
graduate courses; department of medicine,
department of dentistry, department of
law and department of Jurisprudence and
diplomacy. There are over 1.400 students
enrolled this year, of whom about 400 are
undergraduates in the department of arts
and sciences; the remainder are in graduate
courses and in the professional depart
ments.
A Non-DenominationaI Institution.
The charter of the university was amend
ed by act of Congress, approved January
70 OF the present year. making the uni
versity on-denomina tional providing that
persons of every religious denomina ton
shall be capable of being elected trustees;
nor shall any person, either as president,
professor, tutor or pupil, be refused admis-
sloI or denied any of the privileges
for or on account of his sentiments
in matters of religion" This same act also
gives to the board OF trustees the power to
change the name Of the university. the
NJ me to be approved by the Secretary of
the Interior and the commissioner of edu-
cation. Since the change in the charter
Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire Gov.
Montague of Virginia. Commissioner Mac
farland DR.. Charles D. Walcott and Dr.
Charles w. Richardson have been elected
members of the board of trustees and at
the next meeting. it is understood, Prof.
Alexander Graham Bell will be elected.
This gives additional national and local
representation upon the board and also
gives representation to the scientific men
of Washington.
A New Department Probable.
It is said that at the next annual meet
Ing President Needham will propose the
establishment of department of political
science and economics, and the election of
a dean in charge. qualified to organize the
department, who will enrich the course by
calling in the aid of some of the ablest
men In the city upon these subjects. The
last year has marked great advance in the
Of its students.
1t is interesting at this time to note the
reasons which Washington assigned for the
establishment of a university in this city
1t was not a matter of sentiment or local
pride. but the spirit of patriotism which
prompted him to make these suggestions
HIS reasons are set forth in several letters
written by him, and also in his will He
states. first: "lt Is my ardent wish to see
plan devised on a liberal scale which
would have a tendency to spread systematic
ideas through all parts of this rising en-
pire, thereby to do away with local attach
ments and state prejudfces as far as the
nature of things would, or, indeed. ought
to admit from our national councils" and
again: to which the youths .
from all parts thereof Che Union) might be
sent for the completion of their educatien
in all branches of polite literature in the
arts and sciences. in acquiring knowledge
in the principles of politics and good gov
eminent" and. "as matter of infinite i'm
portance in my judgment by associating
with each other and forming friendships
be enabled to free themselves in
proper degree from those local prejudices
and habitual jealousies which carried to
excess are never failing sources of dis
qIietude to the public mind, and pregnant
with mischievous consequences to this
country"
eral letters written by Washington, are pa