Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-08
senator Brown,s donation.

The donation of $4,000 from Senator
Joseph E. Brown to the State University,
and its rejection by the Legislature, form
the leading sensation of the day in Geor-
gia at present, and various are the CON-
ments thereon. Ii is argued by some that
the Senator's object in giving this money
was a selfish one, inasmuch as he hedged
it about with conditions which would give
to his sons special privileges in the State,
while others believe that those conditions
Of the gin requiring the State to issue
per cent. bonds to the extent of the sum
donated, and become liable for the interest
on them, is unconstitutional.
The first of these objections we regard
as frivolous. 1t was but reasonable that
Senator Brown should have wished to de-
rive some personal benefit from his gen.
erOsity. Nearly all the eminent philan-
thropists and donors to objects of charity
or public institutions of every kind who
have ever lived have done the same, and
nothing is thought of it. Who has
ever dreamed of complaining be-
cause Mr.. Peabody's name is connected
with the Peabody fund, Stephen Girard's
name with Girard College, Mr.. W. W.
COrcOran's name with the COrcOran Art
Gallery, or because there are hundreds of
prOfessorships in various colleges of the
country which are distinguished by the
names Of the parties who endowed themi
senator Brown did not provide for his own
names being indissolubly connected with
this donation. but simply desired that the
memory Of a loved deceased son should
/ be thereby perpetuated. Surely there was
nothing culpable in this. 1t was, on the
/ contrary, most natural and praisewOrthy.
Those who object to the States receiy-
4 ing the donation on constitutional grounds,
! have much more reason for their ohjec-
/ tons. In article :, section 3, paragraph
/ Of that instrument. it is stated that ''nO
/ debt shall be contracted by or on behalf of
I the State, except to supply casual def
! ciencies Of revenue, to repel invasion, sup
/ press instruction and defend the State in
: time of war, or to pay the existing public
/ debt" etc. Also, in section II, paragraph
! ]. same article, il is declared that 1.-The
bonded debt of the State shall neUer be in
! creased except to repel invasion, suppress
instruction or defend the State in time of
war" Here are the provisions of the con-
stitutiOn regarding an increase of the state
debt distinctly and emphatically expressed
in plain English, and they certainly on
( their face do prevent the States increasing
her bonded debt as she would have to do
in case Senator Browns donation was ac-
cepted on the conditions he prescribes.
The Senator CONSTITUTES the Constitution
differently and claims that his conditions
do not involve its breach in any respect.
He is doubtless honest in his opinion and
may be right, for his worst enemy cannot
doubt his legal ability and clearness of
head. Still, other, swith cause, differ with
him. and therefore while he should have
all the credit to which, on account of his
generous donation, he is entitled, it is
better, as the part of wisdom and safety,
that his gift should be declined. 1t will
not do to run the slightest risk of viOlat-
ing the organic law of the State, even to
secure such great benefits as those Sena-
tor Brown desired to confer upon the youth
of Georgia through his liberal gift to the
( University.