The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-27
THE CITY TRUSTS,

An Adjourned Meeting of the BOard-The
hn aesGn ssC9 SI .ne VALIDITY OF ne Inv Creating
Shortly after II O'Clock this morning the Board OF
Slty trusts met, pursuant TO adjournment, in the
sded and Henry Nj. Phillips, Esq, acted as secre-
tary:
Judge King, Of the committee appointed for the
purpose, reported the following:-
The committee appointed to make the necessary
arrangements for carrying into execution the duties
spectfuly report
That upon organizing and preparing TO enter into
the performance OF the duties imposed on them by
board, they found that heSth OF July last the the
Select and Common Councils Of the City OF Phila-
delphia had passed resolution entitled "Of in
structons to certain City Onlcials."
BY this resolution it Is declared that all parties
having under their control or supervision any pro-
perty left to the city OF Philadelphia for charitable
purposes, be and they hereby instructed not to
permit any one, noHduly authorized by these Coun-
cils TO examine any OF the deeds, books records
securities under their control or in their care and
they are further instructed not to surrender sueh
Deeds books records, securities nor TO grant pos
session OF any real estate except upon similar autho-
rity given ,....-.o.o, ., uo,,,, ~, ,,r
ties to continue the payment OF rents, interest,
dividends as heretofore, to The officers and agents
acting under the authority OF these Councils" ON
the same day the City Councils adopted a resolution
declaring that the COMMITTEE on Girard Estates be
and is hereby instructed 10 employ counsel 10
contest the validity uf an Act of Assembly
entitled IA further supplement to an act entitled
an act to incorporate the City of Philadelphia, ap-
proved the 2d OF February, 1854; approved June 80,
possession custody, and control Of all property be-
queathed or devised to them under the win OF Ste
phen Grard, deceased
The first step deemed necessary by your conf
mittec to be taken notify the city authorities
that the "Board OF CJy frusts' was duly organized
and ready and desirous of entering into the per-
torrance of the duties imposed on II by law. This
was done through one OF their members, William
Welsh ESQ.,, who gave notice to this effect to the
Mayor, the City Treasurer and the City Controller.
Admonshed by the above resolutions of Councils
that the validity OF the law was disputed under
flaa 1nf has hnnn
your committee found Ii necessary To take measures
TO submit this vital question, at the earliest practical
bic tme to the decision OF Une supreme court OF Jne
For this purpose they have retained, as counsel of
the Trust, the Hon. William Strong, the Hon. Peter
Mccall, and John Fallon, Esq.
These gentlemen have put themselves into COM
municatiOn with the counsel representing the city,
and there is every reason to believe that the ques-
on of the validity of the law Will, at early day,
be decided by the Supreme Court.
Until this question is so settled the board cannot
enter into the general and active execution of its
duties Cases, however, may arise, pending the con-
troversy between the city and the Trust, in which
parties dealing with tn city may require the assent
of this board to contracts made between them and
the city, respecting property embraced by this Trust.
If such contracts are really beneficial TO the Trust
such assent ought to be given
Your committee, therefore, ask that they may he
permitted to give snch assent on behalf of the
Board. Provided thar 1t shall only be given under
the advice and with the appreciation of the counsel
Of the Trust. EDWARD KING.
WILLIAM WELSH.
JAMES L. CLAGHORN.
JOHN II. MICHENER.
4 general discussion was entered into by the
members as to the powers of the Board, pending
the decision of the Supreme Court ana several pro-
positions were submitted, all Of which were with
drawn and the following, offered by Mr. Stuart, was
adopted:
Resolred, That if any questions arise requiring the
assent of the Board, that the Board be assembled
upon the call of the committee to take action
thereon.
The Board then adjourned to meet on Monday,
October 1Sth unless sooner convened by the COM
mittee.