The New York herald., 1878-11-20
ON THE DEFENSIVE.
Wrangling Over the Millions Left by
Commodore Vanderbilt.
TESTIMONY FOR THE PROP0NENT.
Bishop McTyeire's History of the Nashville
University Endowment.

in the Vanderbilt will contest. The case was ad
journed Friday last with the understanding that
the counsel for proponent would open yesterday.
This they proceeded to do by placing Bishop
McTyeire OF South Carolina, on the witness stand
THE BISHOPS TESTIMONY.
The Bishop testified that he was of the Methodist
Episcopal Church; belonged to South Carolina; had
been Bishop since 1866; first met the Commodore in
1870; was then guest at the Commodore's house.
Mr.. clinton-I will ask you whether your wife and
the commodore's wife related and if 50 to what
degree?
They daughters of half sisters cousins Of half
blood.
Continuing. tho Bishop stated that he Ill at the
house Of Commodore Vanderbilt in February or
March. 1878; the Commodore often to his room.
and they had long talks; among other things. con-
corning the condition Of the South. They talked
about preachers, railroads. horses, the Church
the Commodore said lao had Cor some time
entertained III his mind scheme for giving
the University of Virginia; witness told the
Commodore that tho Methodists had plan Of the
mate success OF the scheme at another time when the
Commodore called on the Bishop in his sick room
and asked him about the price of land in the vicinity
OF Nashville. Tenn. witness told him he thought it
worth about 81 000 he asked II there was
suitable site there for college; told him there
several; he asked witness il he would give up
his office in the Church and take charge of college in
founded near Nashville: the Bishop said
how much he received s.. 900 year, the Commodore
said he had men in his employ to whom he paid as
high as $1,000 year; witness told the Commodore
that though he could not consent to taking charge
of the teaching department there would be
nothing inconsistent in his being president Of
board Of directors trustees, which place he could
fill without pay; the Commodore said he did not
allow men to work for him for nothing; he asked .
great number OF questions about the forming Of
university. saying that IL it about railroad
steamboat he would not want information, but
witness gave him his ideas Of what university
should be, and they talked the matter in detail
he then went home: here he received letter from
the Commodore making an offer 10 build the univcr-
sity.
The letter read from the university catalogue
ana put in evidence, the contestants roserving the
right to call for the original paper should they at
future time decide 80 TO do.
Mr.. Cnnton-When did you next SEQ the Commo-
dcrc?
TRUSTING TO PROVIDENCE
Witness-In August, 1873 when came North with
would like to state further remark tho Commodore
made when talking about the establishment he said
institutions set them down in New York where there
plenty already; he did not propose to do this;
he spoke Of Mr.. Peabody's method and said he
thought he scattered too much money: during the
1873 conversation my position in the university
discussed at length; he arranged that should be
president Of the directors for life, and that my
death they should elect president; was to have
veto power which could only be overrued by a
threefourtls vote; he asked me, when the arrange
ment was made, If he had given ne power cnough;
il he had not he said he would give more; said
thought / had enough to keep things steady; this
conversation took place ut Saratoga had purchased
more property than the Commodore had directed;
purchased in all ftty and Odd acres; in speaking of
the plans and specifications l told the Commodore
that architects did not always up the actual
cost of things and there might be further expenses
have good house said would rat rather II have .sas
school in log house with good endowment than
the endowment fund must be kept nviolate, and then
the probable increase in cost Of construction up
again. when spoke of it he said "Wen trust to
Mr.. Clinton-And you trusted to Provi dence?
Witness-Yes, sir; trusted in Providence to the
extent of $4,000; knew by the Commodore man.
ner what he meant; the Commodore asked me about
whom We proposed 70 put at the head of the nstitu
tion. and told him the man who had been my in
structor; told him he was very old and
objected to him on that account; told him he
WIS about sixty years OF age the Commodore said
got all their until they sixty yearsof age
Mr.. Clnton-Did you speak to the Commodore
about the Moravian Institution
WitnessTo be the Nashville affair WAS for tho
boys, but he intendcd to have institution for the
girls, under the Moras ian Church. as his mother DO
longed to that denomination; in 1875 asked him
what he had done about the matter and he said he had
failed to COME to an agreement with the OF that
Church and the thing had fallen through he said he
could not lind man among them who had head
enough to carry tine project through when tho chan
celor and chemistry professor of our university
went abroad to purchase apparatus for the school
their expenses uch greater than had expected
and tho apparatus much more costly; told this to
helped, that nothing mean should be purchased for
the house; here tho subject was dropped.
Mr. Cnton--And You went on!
witness-I trusted in Providence again; Just before
/ Left for the south tine Commodore asked me IL
owed anything; told him had land note tor
about 5000, told him this what short
ON the amount $4,000. which tho citizcns OF
Nashville had agreed to raise; said he need not
borrow trouble that and that the note would
soon be taken np; he asked me how much interest
paying; told him ten per cent, the legal
rate interest in that State; Ten per contl" he
claimed; bishop. ii you go on in that way there am
down. saying to himself, -Ten per cent?"
soon he came in. lit fresh cigar, handing
one, and took scat at my side; Bishop" said
he. don't you know that there are very few busi
that can aford 10 pay ten per cent? suppose
invest his money ia good business, LET the
ond invest his in good business, let the third man
in twenty years he VIII have all the money!" he then
raid, What do you mcan Bishop. BY using my
money 10 pay ten pcr cent INTEREST," told him that
just as got back to Nashville I would draw
on him fOr the amount.
Mr.. Cinton-pd he object to that?
Ntness--On. no. it seemed perfectly stisfac tory.
and he paid tho draft when il was presented.
THE INIEnvIEw.
The last time tie Bishop saw tho Commodore was
IN bod: he went to bid him goolby; the Commodore
asked il he must 60 just then, and witness said ho
could wait over II i was desirable; the Commodore
said he thought would be best II he did, ii had
been his intention 70 make the donation to the uni
verai.y clean million and that sJOO9oo would about
90 nc hu iidu rtrlcct cOnllueNce IN
William and knew ho would obey all his wishes when
he ttne Commodorel gone, but. us the lawyers
might be gettlng out injnnctions and otherwise de-
laying things II would be best for tie Bishop to-
take the money with him; tho papers made ont
The nea Gay. and when the bishop went home he
was followed by the $500, 900 la bonds. sent by
press.
a long discussion here crsued az to vhc,her tho
Bishop could certain questions concerning tho
condition Of thG dccedcnts mind AZ the time he
him. Iho question was allowed and the Bishop said
he thought him rational.
CRAWFORD AGAtS.
On crOss-exalninatun tho Bishop aaknd IL no
did not know that the widow OF thc Commodore at
the time eha aried him had another husband living.
Objection Was made, and Judge Black argued the
point at lcnghh concerning this woman, and Air.
Choate responded, saying tbat tllero should bo
way Of stopping tho aperSions ol tho character OF
who stood before the Court only the rclict
OF he deceased. The question was disallowcd and
tho examination ended for the day.
THE ITALIAN PADRONI.