The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-05-02
UNWORTHY OF THE GREAT STATESMAN.
Mr.. Gideon Lee Writes q Letter
Which is mo Credit to His Dis
tinguished Kinsman and Which
FoNIa' NOhOIJv

|
To the Editor of The Neus and Courier:
| see so many false statements, miscon.
ceptions and ridiculous eXaggerations in the
public papers about the will OF my father-in
amount of property belonging to his estate
the terms or his will, and the amount that
would accr ue to the State OF South Carolina
| for the purpose Of founding an agricultural
and the bequest accepted by the State, that
am inpelled TO make plain and clear state
ment of the whole matter, so far as my
knowledge extends.
Mr.. Clemson, and as both father and guard
ian OF my daughter, who Is the granddaugh-
ter and only surviving descendant and nat
ural heir OF Mr.. Clemson, and the great
granddaughter Of the late Hon. John G. Cal
houn, am induced 10 take this course, for
the reason that frequent inquiries are made
of me by numerous friends Of my daughter
and her ancestors In South Carolina, by some
of this State, and by friends and acquaint-
anceS OF my own.
Most of the information, which here en-
to give can bUs d
charge OF Mr.. Clemson's affairs as his attorney
and legal advertiser for several years past,
and who Is appointed by his will his executor
will in the highest terms as his "trusted
friend and adviser" If the will Is not con-
tested by me, as the guardian Of my daugh-
ter, there would be left for the purpose OF
of South Carolina probably as follows:
The Fort Hill estate, 8l5 acres or thereabouts,
the farming value OF 1t about $4,000.
Mr. Simpson informed me that the personal
property, consisting Of Stocks, bonds and
mortgages and other securities In his hands,
was about $4,000.
From this sum take the legacies, payable IN
cash, 1000, and 1t leaves $1,000. Mr. Simpson,
the executor and trustee under the will, Is
allowed 5 percent on the whole amount OF the
estate by the will, and also, I am told, S per
cent by law, making in all 10 per cent com.
missions on the whole property: This would
cash assets left Of 5000 and it leaves $1,000.
Then deduct lawyers bills, expenses Of keep
Ing up the house and many other necessary
with me In thinking that there will not be
much left on which to found an agricultural
college except the 8l5 acres OF the Fort Hill
plantation, with few dilapidated and partly
ruinouS buildings.
But, even vaiuing the remainder of the es-
tate at SIS 900, an extremely high estimate,
the Interest on this sum OF money att per
cent would be 81 ,050.
great State institution, and certainly, the
most incorruptible and economical states.
man could not reasonably object to the in
salaries and paid TO the president, profess
ors and few practical farmers who
would also be necessary TO carry on the insti-
tuition.
In most of the noted colleges In the United
States the presidents get at least eight or ten
thousand dollars per annum, and the profess
sors from three to five thousand. Still, some
patriotic statesmen might be found to serve
their State from the purest motives, without
money and without price.
In that case, 1 would suggest that the posi-
BILE income of the State should be expended
in providing. hominy and milk 70 feed the
famishing wives and families OF the president
and professors. The students, OF course,
could take their own meals from home with
them, and thus would greatly diminish
the expenses OF the institution.
If by public clamor and rdiculously exag-
gerated statements in the papers the Legisla-
ture. thinking and believing that Mr. Glenn
sons bequest to the State amounts to 100000,
as have seen it stated in one OF the South
Carolina papers, then, and In that case, law
might be suddenly pressed through to add
another hundred thousand or two to Mr..
Cemson's munifcent bequest, "as 1t is des-
ignated in some OF the papers," though l
hardly think the income of the latter sum
would latter the college buildings were pro-
vided" allow sufficient sum to provide the
college officials with q decent subsistence.
Yours truly,
Seneca, April 25. GIDEON LEE.