Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-26
Idea of Great University.

AoOo Va SASos
President Needham. who was next intro
duced, said in part:
The idea of a great university at the
national capital is an old one. In the con-
stitutional convention which framed the
Constitution Of the United States the plan
introduced as a basis of action, and which
was used as the original draft of the Con-
stitution, specifically provided for a univer-
sty at the seat of government. The COM
mittee which reported the Constitution in
it's first form omitted this item, and Mr..
Madison, in the convention. moved to re-
store it. The Constitution was again re-
ferred to a committee, and was reported
back with this item omitted. but with the
provision giving Congress exclusive power
In the federal district.
Again the question of university was
brought before the convention by the reso-
luton above referred to. introduced by Mr.
Pinckney and Mr.. Madison. and seconded
by Mr.. Wilson. authorizing the establish
ment of a non-sectarian university and pro-
posing to insert the provision among the
specifications of the powers granted to
Congress as the national legislature. Gov
ernor Morris opposed the resolution. say
ing: 1T is not necessary. The exclusive
power at the seat of government will reach
the object
View Accepted.
1.-The convention accepted this view, thus
adopting the principle that the university
10 De 6SldDllSIleu DIT the Cdpitdi
should be organized by Congress as a cor
poration of the District of Columbia, under
it's powers as the legislature Of the District,
and not under it's powers as the national
legislature They feared. perhaps. lest
university wholly or principally supported
by the national funds might not have that
freedom of thought and action which Is es-
sential to the beneficent life and power of
a university, and might, in times of polit-
ical or religious excitement, be used by a
political faction or a religious sect to dis
seminate ideas harmful to the republic.
They doubtless saw. also. as Washington
did, that great educational corporation
supported wholly or almost wholly by the
private generosity of the people of the
country, established at the seat of gov
eminent. would be able to render. and
would render. great and peculiar services
in many ways to the people of the whole
country.
washington, following the thought Of
the convention. pressed the matter Of a
university upon the consideration of Con-
gress and upon the people through private
correspondence. and finally sought to plant
it by giving $4,000 in his will as the be-
was to establish university organized by
Congress. There were discussions of this
subject in 1906. 1916 and In 1921, when the
Columbian College charter was granted.
Reason Assigned. :.
'The strong reason for the existence of
a university at the national capital Is the
rare opportunity afforded the student in
political science, economics. American his
tory. international law and diplomacy.
These subjects are vital. There can be no
Sound government without a scientific study
of them. President Madison In his writ
iEgs states the necessity of such an insti-
tuition being non-sectarian-one that could
be supported by people of all denomina-
tons and that should be entirely free from
sectarian influences With others he also
emphasized the Importance of its being
scientific in its methods OF study, especially
along the line of the political sciences, with
view, undoubtedly. OF developing here in
the United States knowledge Of the prin-
ciples OF sound government that should
firm and enduring basis. 1t has been recog-
nized since the foundation of the govern
ment that the city of Washington has the
most valuable material for graduate stu
dents. and that 1t ought to be made avail
able through the agency of university.
Under National Charter.
1.-The George Washington University is
organized under a national charter and has
some peculiar features which make it spe-
cially fitted to meet the needs and demands
In the country today. The provision for
the organization Of colleges for undergrad
uate work upon independent financial foun-
dations makes 1t possible for it to supply
the local needs without in any way burden
yersty forces can be directed wholly along
the lines Of graduate work The provision
In the charter for O. board of visitors en-
ables it to bring together a body of rep
the country, and also to have represents
ton of national interests upon the board.
This board will not be burdened with the
details Of financial management. but can
give thorough oversight To the educational