The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-01
Alumni Association VoUeS
Unanimously for
the Title.
DR.. NEEDHAM'S ADDRESS
Discusses the Views of First
President on Subject of
National University.

BY a unanimous vote. the Association
of the Alumni of Columbiaa University
adopted last night resolution to
change the name of the university from
Columbian TO George Washington Uni
versity. President Needham has favor
ed the change Of name, and at the meet
ing of the association held at Rausch-
er's last night he made an eloquent
speech in which he set forth his reasons
for desiring It, That the resolution was
carried Is due TO President Needham,
and the attitude taken on the question
by the alumni Is a decided victory Tor
him. Tomorrow the board of trustees
Will meet and take final action.
President Needham in his speech said
that the name of George Washington
was name to conjure with. 1t was a
name that brought before the minds OF
all Americans. without regard to polit-
tcal or religious complexion, the genius
OF patriotism. Washington was a man,
ne said, whose every thought and action
was the result of patriotism What
ever policy he advocated was sure 10
have as its source deep sense of the
welfare of his country
Washington's Ideas.
in the five or six letters washington
wrote on the subject of national uni
versity at Washington. said DR.. Need
ham, "he dwelt on the relationship Of
the college 10 the Government. HIS
idea TO have it supported by the Gov
eminent was due 10 the fact that, At
that time, he saw no other means OF
support for it. II was for the sake of
the maintenance Of the college that ne
connected It with the Government. and
FOR thar rSason only. Whal lll wanted
first OF sll was that the college should
be located at Washington so its stu
dents would have an opportunity TO
study the Government at close quarters
ana take back TO their homes a strong
idea Of the Federal Government. which
they should disseminate among their
fellow-men living far distant from the
Capital.
Secondly. he thought that by means of
national university sectional preju-
dice would be reduced. There Is a pro-
found philosophy back of this that has
been recognized everywhere. and that Is
that it takes a small amount OF leaven
70 leaven the whole loaf. A few men In
each State who have attended a national
university here viii give a more lenient
tone TO the whole State.
A Precious Memory.
Il know there are many of you who
hold the name Columbian in precious
memory" said Dr. Needham. IN conclu-
sion, but we are often called upon to
let the dead bury their dead, and move
on to new things Men of character.
soul, and power are willing to do this
and only towards fear TO face the crisis.
1t is for you TO say whether ii is right
TO change the name. If you think 50,
vote accordingly. You have a respon-
sibility which you cannot escape"
Following President Needham came
Senator Newlands Of Nevada, who was
introduced by President w. B. King, Of
the alumni association. Senator New
lands speech was witty throughout He
told of how he studied law at Columbian
while he worked in a Government office,
and went on 10 say he had lived to
have daughters take special courses
there and then tell him more about
International law than he had ever
dreamt Of before. He promised to do
all he could 10 help Columbian.
Other speakers were William Bruce
King. Assistant Attorney General Camp
bell. Charles Walcott, of the Geological
Survey; the Rev. Samuel Greene. and
DR.. A. F. A. King
At the close Of the meeting a supper
was served in the banquet hall.