The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-13
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, OCTOBER 10. 1890.
DR.. FRANKLIN's BEQUEsT.
The Conditions Surrounding Its Dis
position Explained.

position Explained
From the Phiadslphia Ledger.
Some interesting information has been
given by member OF the board Of city
trusts regarding the Franklin beuuest, the
larger part Of which is to be devoted for the
public good. as may be approved by the
board under legal advice. The present
condition or DR.. Franklin's legacy" said he.
rs not understood generally by the people
OF Philadelphia, and the facts as they exist
should be rightly understood.
THE CONDITION OF THE LEGACY.
"Dr. Franklia died IN the spring of 1870.
He had in his will directed the sum Of
4I,OOO, amounting then to about IS, 600 of
our currency, to be loaned to artificers who
had served a regular apprenticeship and
who should be % years of age and married.
bond. with two freenold sureties, to be
taken for the re urn of the money by install
ments. At the beginning, and for long
time after this moneyswas so bequeathed,
/ There were persons who came within the
benefit Of the provisions OK the will who
borrowed the money, but q looseness exist
ing In regard TO the taking of security for
the lnsuring OF the return occasioned the
loss or considerable portion of the money.
ITS GREAT INCREASE.
when the directors of city trusts took
charge of this fund in 1869, 1t had accumu-
lated so that it amounted to $37, 900. The
apprentice system having fallen into dis
use, there were within the next twenty
years very few who awaited themselves of
the privilege of borrowing, there having
been but very few persons who had served
an apprenticeship of seven years to thus
entitle them to become borrowers. For the
last four years none of this money has
been loaned, there being no applicants In
consequence Of these facts the beQuest,
which IL 1869 was ss337 900, has increased to
the present sum of about 100000.
DR.. Franklin directed that at the
expiration of 100 years the accumu-
lated fund should be divided in the ratio Of
about 100 to 81, and that the larger sum
should be used by his trustees to erect forth
fications, bridges. public buildings, baths,
or be spent in such way as his trustees
should believe to be most conducive to the
welfare and interests of the citizens of Phil
adelphia. He recommended that the wa or
be introduced to the city from Wissahickon
creek, and that the navigation of the
Schuylkill should be improved. These are
the only recommendations he made In re-
gard to the expenditure Of the money. OF
course neither one of these is now of avail.
The money must therefore be spent upon
some other object.
WHAT A CENTURY MAY ACCUMULATE.
1.-The sum of $1,000 is now available
under the operation of the will of Franklin,
and under the law of Pennsylvania must be
expended. The balance, about $24, 900 is to
remain as fund for the benefit of artificers
who have served an apprenticeship, as form
erly. There will be no applications for this,
and it will be stuff red to steadily increase
and must necessarily, if fairly administered
for the next hundred years, produce possibly
some millions of dollars.
"At the expiration of the next century
that will be subject TO be spent by the
trustees for the benefit of the city of Phila-
delphia in the same manner under the will
Of the testator.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH THE MONEY ?
"The question that now is presented is:
What shall be done with the SIC, 200? A
proposition is before the board of trustees
of the city trusts, which is held under con-
sheraton for month, to appropriate this
money to the board of education to enable
them to erect building to secure additional
accommodations for the pupils of the nor
NAL school. The want of such accommoda-
tions has occasioned great deal of dissatis-
faction and unhappiness The want of such
facilities last summer was made manifest to
the people of Philadelphia, and, from time
to time before that, has been made manifest
W WV pAOPOi SOuipAulilO VI VIC
who were thus excluded from obtaining the
benefits of higher education.
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR WOMEN.
"No better use of this fund could be
made than to devote it to the remedy Of
this stil-existing evil. The practical good
done to the community by the higher edu-
cation of very many of the women will
not cease by the mere culture of those who
directly receive it, but its influence will
spread and permeate all Glasses
Of society and still widen and
increase for all coming time.
There may be a difference Of opinion
as to the manner of making this applica-
ton, but that it should be made for this
purpose all thoughtful citizens of Philadel-
phia will agree. The board of trustees is
looked to to so direct the application of this
fund to the board Of education, and to see
that its benefits shall be made as extensive
and enduring as possible.
With reference to the disposition of the
fund, Judge Campbell said that nothing
would be done until after the receipt of
Judge Brewster's opinion as to the legality
of Col. Mann's p OPPOSITION.