The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-04
THE DE LA HOWE ESTATE.
Let 1t BE Turned Oyer to the State 10
Organize an Industrial school
for WOmcn.-.We Have Precedent
in fha d,Iapnunp, CNIfara ElnSi m

The State of South Carolina contemplates
establishing an industrial school for young
women, and Invites bids for its location.
A hundred years ago, DR.. Della Howe, OF
Ahbeville county, left his great estate for eX.
actly such purposes, except that he divided
the benefits equally between boys and girls.
AS the changed condition of affairs has reli-
dered the estate useless, and stopped the
school, Is there any reason I'm justice or
equity, why the rules OF that school should
not be SO modified as to make the estate SER
viceable and profitable In this day ana time.
In the main, the proposition OF the state
to-day, is TO do exactly what Dr. Della Howe
intended should be done with his estate.
The rules which he provided, was suited for
under the changed condition, aud when the
Government itself opens free school on
every hill, the rules or bylaws OF that lnSti-
tuition do not answer public demand, and
for this reason the doors OF that institution
have been closed for years, AID will remain
closed forever, unless new methods are
adopted by the Trustees and the Legislature.
OF course, as matters stand, the legislature
and the Courts alone could bring about the
necessary changes, or the modification OF
rules, which would make the fund available
for future good.
The estate to-day consists of 100 acres OF
fine land, and perhaps Si5,OOO in money loan
ed out at interest
AS the State seems now to act OH the
same general line of policy as marked out
long ago, by DR.. Della Howe aud as the State
has lately accepted the Clemson estate for
like purposes. we would ask our Legislators,
and the Trustees of the Della Howe school, II
some plan cannot be formulated by which
the State may supplement the existing iund
whereby the school may be opened anu un,
der such rules and regulations, as would
make the now dormant property real
blessing to all young women who might
choose to avail themselves OF the dement's
which the proposed institution might dls'
penSe.
The Della Howe estate must sooner or later
by governed by new rules, or else that es'
tate must forever remain unprofitable TO the
youth of the country. and the Will OF the
beneficent testator set at naught.
Let the Legislature and the Trustees of the
school get together and after agreement has
been reached let the Legislature take charge
OF the land and the endowment fund as II
did of the Clemson estate, on condition thai
the Lethe School, Tor the Della Howe School,
be opened and carefully surrounded with
such safegounds as will make the State re-.
sponsible for the return of the property when
II may fail to use 1t for the purposes for
which 1t was intended.
Including the land and the endowment, the
total value OF the Della Howe property i
fault in so far as the carrying out OF the VIII
OF the teStator Is concerned
Now, let 1t be utilized. Let the Trustees
consent TO such modification OF the rules as
may be needed, and let the Legislature ac-
ccpt the estate, and open the school.
This Is the chance Of o life time, and II Is to
be hoped that public spirited citizens may
interest themselves.
The school might be located In the town OF
Abbevile and the rents and interest OF the
estate might be used to keep 1t up.