New-York tribune., 1872-06-15

Mr. Samuel A. Way died few days since
He was a Boston broker, the proprietor Oh
a private bank, and the owner of great deal
of real estate. He had the reputation OF beng
an exceedingly sharp business man; he was
not remarkable for the urbanity of his man
Ders; and those who owed him money found
it TO their personal comfort to pay hlm as
soon as possible He was respected as rch
men usually are, and be was called sam
"Wayr rather irreverently by the general
public. All his life he meant money, as the
phrase is, and all his life he made 1t. And
vet. when it came to the disposition
and distribution of his estate, this
hard and, as he was deemed by many,
this uncharitable bill-broker made one Of the
kindest, most considerate, and most gentle OF
Ieyises-the most touching which the world has
heard of since Stephen Girard founded an edu-
cationaI asylum for orphan boys. Mr.. Way has
constituted the needlewomen Of Boston his
residuary legatees After liberal devises to
his kin. with due remembrance of his servants,
he gives the remainder of his estate to trustees
TO be used for the benefit of the aforesaid seam
stresses. He observes in his viii that the
" chief embarrassments TO which this class OF
persons are exposed result from failure OF
employment at certain seasons, and a scarcity
" Of suitable dwelling places" He wishes,
therefore, TO secure to needlewOmen, l, sup
ply OF work when ordinary resources fail ; and
2. a provision of houses containing convenient,
healthful apartments. Ny principal object"
SAYS Mr.. Way, q" is to help lcOrkers to constant
employment at fair prices, and to desirable
homes at fair rent
But Mr. Way does not stop here. His main
object is to help those who are both willing
and able to work but when this has been done
sufficiently in the opinion of the trustees, be
then provides that aid may be extended to
those who are unable to work. His chief wish,
however, is to give temporary relief TO the
casually necessitOus. He thinks it bet
ter that this should be afforded for a
limited period of three successive months,
and that after this resort should be had to
charitable institutions. The trustees, however,
under extraordinary circumstances, and IN
their discretion, may depart from this rule.
The trust estate is to be divided into labor
fund and a building fund, to be allowed TO
accumulate if necessary, but to be practically
employed as soon as possible. "The' supply
% of work." says the Will, "may be provided
"by investing capital IN undertaking the
81" manufacture and sale Of the various descrip-
" tons Of goods produced by sewing women.
Stores and salesrooms may be opened, or
goods may be manufactured upon contract"
But they are to be manufactured at times
when sewing women are in need of employ
mentn In the houses, apartments are to be
iet at fair paying rents, the proceeds to go to
the general fund.
We have made this special mention of Mr..
Ways legacy because, as a piece Of plain,
practical, common sense benevOlence, 1t makes
all manner of fanciful projects for ameliOrating
the condition of women appear rdiculOusly
shallow. Mr.. Ways idea of rational relief Is
that of helping those who are willing to help
themselves. This, in any sensible scheme of
private relief must be the first object, the care
of the disabled being committed to public in
stituhons. If, after doing its first work, the
trust fund will permit private relief, then 1t Is
so to be employed. With a competent Board
of Trustees the Way Endowment must do a
great deal Of the very best kind of good.