The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-03
Not Much of Il Request His son-in-La"
Says.
From the News and Courier.

Says.
From the News and Courier.
sec so many false statements, mis-
conceptions and ridiculous eXaggera-
tons in the public papers about the
will of my fathcrin-law, the late MIR.
Thomas G. Clemson, us to the amount
of property belonging to his estate, the
terms of his will, and the amount that
would accrue to the State of South
Carolina for the purpose Of founding an
agricultural college, should Mr.. Glenn
sons will be valid and the bequest ac-
cepted by the State, that I am impelled
to make plain and clear statement Of
the whole mater, so far as my know
ledge extends.
In justice to myself, to my father-in-
law, Mr.. Clemson, and Us both father
and guardian Of my daughter, who is
the granddaughter and only surviving
descendant and natural heir of Mr.. and
Mrs. Clemson, and the great grand
daughter of the late Hon. John G. Cal
houn, I am induced to tai this course,
for the reason that frequent inquiries
are made ofne by numerous friends Of
my daughter and her ancestors in
South Carolina. by some of the rcla-
tives of Mr.. Clemson, who live out of
this State, and by friends and acquain-
tances of Liy own.
Most of the information, which I
here endeavor to give as correctlya as
can, was derived from Mr.. r. W.
Simpson, who has had charge of Mr..
Clemson's affairs as his attorney and
who is appointed by his will his exc
tor and trustee, and ofwhom he speaks
in the will in the highest terms as his
trusted friend and adviser" If the
will is not contested by me, rs the
guardian of my daughter, there would
be left for the purpose Of founding an
agricultural college in the State Of
South Carolina probably as follows:
The Fort Hill estate, 825 acres or
thereabouts, the farming value of it
about $4,000.
Mr.. Simpson informed me that the
personal property, consisting of stocks,
bonds and mortgages and other secu-
rites in his hands, was about 81, 200.
From this sum take the legacies,
payable in cash, $4,000, and it leaves
$4,000. Mr.. Simpson, the executor and
trustee under the will, is allowed per
cent on the whole amount of the estate
by the will, and also, I am told, ) per
cent by law, making in ali 10 per cent
commissions on the whole property.
This would amount to say 81 900. De-
duct that from the cash assets left of
$4,000 and it leaves $1,000. Then dc
duct lawyers bills, expenses Of keep
ing up the house and many other ne
cessary expenses, and I think most
people will agree with me in thinking
that there will not be much left on
which to found an agricultural college
except the S25 acres of the Fort Htll
plantation, with few dilapidated and
partly ruinous buildings.
But, even valling the remainder of
the estate at 1000, an extremely high
estimate the interest on this sum of
money at per cent would be 81 $50.
Not very munificent sums these to
found a great State institution, and
certainly the most incorruptible and
economical statesmen could not reas-
onably object to the income of the es-
tate, 81 ,O5O, being divided into salaries
and paid over to the president, profess
sors and few practical farmers who
would also be necessary to carry on the
institution.
In most Of the noted colleges in the
United States the presidents get at
least eight or ten thousand dollars per
annum, and the professors 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, I would suggest that the
possible income Of the estate should be
expended in providing tiominy and
milk to feed the furnishing wives and
families Of the president and profes-
sors. 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 ridiculously
exaggerated statements in the papers
the Legislature, thinking and believing
that Mr.. Clemson's bequest to the
State amounts to 100000, as l have
secn it stated in one Of the South Caro-
lima papers, then, and in that case, a
law might be suddenly pressed through
to add another hundred thousand OF
two to Mr.. Clemson's munificent be-
quest, ''as it is designated in some OF
the papers," though hardly think the
income of the latter sum would latter
all the college buildings were provided"
allow Il sufficient sum to provide the
college officials with decent suEsis'
tence. Yours truly,
Seneca, April n. GIDEON LEE.
The Legal Appraisers Say the Estate is
Worth S113,321-The State to Get
$4,000.
Especial to the News and Courier