Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-10-15
NEWSPAPER OPINION.


Isaiah wiIIiamson's sohic Gift.
Philadelphia Public Ledger
With regard to the contemplated pur
pose of the venerable Isaiah v William
son 70 devote a large proportion Of his
great fortune Go the foundation and sup
port Of a comprehensive Manual Training
School for Boys-the Ledger may say
that IL has been aware for a long time
That Mr. Williamson entertained such
purpose and was earnestly engaged upon
the necessary preparatory work. But ex
cept az 60 the existence Of the general
purpose and such preparatory thought
and consultation rs we have intimated.
the matter had not until now been suni.
cientiy shaped and formed to warrant the
Ledger in placing what might have been
premature statement about it before
the public
Mr. Williamson has determined TO es-
tablish and endow such a schooI-to fur
nish t with commodious buildings,
workshops and grounds to fully equip il
with all modern tools. machinery mate
rial and appliances fitted % the purpose,
and 60 provide a fully adequate sum 20 in-
sure tssteady support TOthesr endsit Is
his intention 90 devote several millions Of
doilars-sOne two tQthree millions. posi-
blv more-aud he is al this time engaged
in aetting apart the securities amounting
20 tha intended sum in order to make a
free gift Of them in trust al some early
day. IRE Is also employing himself in
the selection % suitable trustees IN whom
To vest the dostinies-of the institution
IAis i an exceedingly important matter.
involving q great deal 81 discernment,
torethought and care, SO as TO secure.
along with the activity. energy and yigor
Of men in the prime Of life, the broader
Intelligence and experience which usually
come about with maturer years and
along with these qualifications il is nee
essary 70 include ia some 81 the trustees
large mechanical and constructive skill
aptitude and experience.
While II Is easy enough for Mr. VIII
Hanson 20 designate and set apart Ga,
1900, 900 or thereabouts Of money for tn,
purpose-that being practically alread,
dOne-it u not SO easy 70 select All,
secure the services 81 such trustees as III
purpose requires. This Is work demand
ing careful deliberation and Is necessaril,
slow. 50 soon as the list shall Be com
pleted and the Ledger has reason &
balieve thatit Is Ia a forward state Mr
Williamson intends TO hand over 60 III
trustees the several millions 81 invest
ments which are 70 90 20 the establish
ment and maintenance Of the school an
they. we understand are % be charge
with formulating and adopting the work
ing plans 70 promote the main purpose q
tho school for ITS effective adminisi1s
ton
This, fortunately. IS a much less diH
cult thing to do now than IL was som
years ago. Mr. Williamson's instituti0
IS 20 be a school in which boys are to d
taught lalong with their other schooling
the way to become intelligent and skillt.
mechanics and artisans. They are to b
80 fitted as to excel in their trades-prof
ably IN some instances 10 be taught trade
out and out. In planning for such
school the trustees win hav
the benefit of area
fund of accumulated experience
here a. home as well as among enlightene
countries abroad There are the Scho,
Of the Spring Garden Institute, that /
the Girard College. that established 3
the daughters Of the late f. A. Drexe
the admirable Manual T aiming Scho,
under our Board Of Public Education
aud the very large establishment. tn
Pratt Institute, also costing several mi
Hons Of dollars, recently instituted an
endowed in Brooklyn. New York, b
Charles Pratt Of that city.
Thus far Ia these observations we has
fifs'' rsd IN ro words ~ lerfe-ia- ..-,o
BAL. - uaamson Whose active aad M