New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-13
PROFESSOR FISKE and CORNELL UNITER


| Professor Willard Flske's suit against Cornell
| University caused vast deal OF discussion because
his action seemed inconsistent with his ante-nuptial
ped,e TO his wife that she should be left entirely
| free to dispose of her property as she chose The
| first explanation attempting to relieve him from
the suspicion Of unworthy motives comes from TIE
| Hartford CoUdnt, whose Editor, Charles Dudley
| Warner. is a close friend Of Prof ssor Flske.
| II appears that Mr. McGraw. the father of Mrs.
Flsks. who was trustee OF Cornell University, de-
sired that all his large estate should 60 10 the uni
ycrsity but willcd 1t to his invalid daughter know
| mg that her desires were the same as his. The
Western lands which made n large part of Ezra
| Cornelrs endowment, were yielding no income, and
| the NcGraw fortune would do much to relieve the
uniyer,ty from lts financial straits. With this in
| view the ante-nuphal agreement with Professor
| Fiske was made Soon after Mrs. Flsko died,
| remembering her husband generously IN her will,
bu leaving the bulk of her property to the univer-
sity Meantime the rise IN the value Of tho Cornell
Land, had brought the endowment up to the amount
fixed by the law a. the maximum of what the college
oould hold and the Legislature repealed the act, so
| AZ to allow the college to accept Mrs. flske
| beouest. Her husband now sets up the claim that
this act was retroactive but his strongest point is
| that law of the State lorbds a charitable bequest
NJ more than e-half the estate if there be hus-
| band. wife child or parent living.
| m, ConyanPs explanation is thai Professor Fiske
Is seeking to carry out the spirit Of the wles Will.
which WAS strikugly imperfect. The last years OF
her lie were spent IN building and furnl shing u
splendid house at Ithaca, which she intended, 1t IS
| claimed should be used by him Qs centre OF a
wlde and refined hospitality" such as 1t would
have been If she had lived thus making 1T, with its
art treasures. an educating influence at the seat of
| he DrDylgQ Professor
Fake is entirely too small carry out this PLAN
and vet the wall said nothing about the house nor
| abont her personal property, and did not mention
one-half of her property except In the reslduary
| clause which made the University Library IN the
MeGray building the legatee Three efforts were
| made to bring about some agreement between Pro-
f.ssor Flake and the trustees with regard TO the
| house aud It's contents all agreeing that he could
mot keep IL up on the income Of the 100000 left
him One proposiuon was TO make IL n public
rnn,enm. but no agreement was reached, and, as
the trustees ntcrpre Ted the WILL not only the house
and furniture but the personal belongings OF the
wife. were to DO converted into money Tor the
| library.
Professor Fskos friends will be glad. no doubt,
TO bs convinced in the progress OF this dispute that
his only object is to execute his wlfes Intentions
Isacton IN attacking the will at all, even on the
| ground that she did not express her own desires
fully is perhaps questionable in view OF his pledge
| before marriage But time will show the sincerity
of his purposes The trustees are not without leel-
ing IN the matter, of course. but Professor Flske
| action seems TO have been complete surprise To
them, and his charges. at long range from Europe
against the executor which are pronounced 1.-TWO
| lous, are met by couDtcroharge that tho ohiy
deficiency in the inventory is due TO the fact that