The record-union., 1891-10-02
At PALO ALTO.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
THE BEGINNING.

THE BEGINNING.
Very soon after the death of Leland
Stanford, Jr., his father and mother re-
solved TO carry out the plan of founding q
great university in his name to enshrine
his memory, and give fullness to ideas
he had entertained of contributing to
liberal education of the youth OF the
land. When the announcement of this
resolve was made it was coupled with
the statement that the university would
be endowed with lands and money to
such an extent as to put it forever beyond
the possibility of financial need. There
were obstacles in the way of legal
character to the creation of trust how
ever which made it difficult to enter
upon the scheme, obstacles not dissim-
liar to those that arose in the case of
Girard College and other notable in
stances, and with which intelligent
readers are familiar.
Accordingly on the 9th Of March, 1885.
the legislative Act to advance learning
and providing for the creation of trusts
for founding and endowing universities,
colleges and schools was approved.
In preparing this Act to protect such
endoWments the far-seeing business wis
dom and intellect Of Governor Stanford
We're clearly made manifest. 1t was his
authorship and it is believed by the best
legal minds to cover all points that were
exposed prior to the Act, and to make
execution and the accomplishment of
their high purposes.
WHAT IT PROVIDES.
The scope of the Act is shown in it's
very first section. It provides that it's
wording shall be literally construed
with a view to effect its objects and pro-
mote its purposes, and in the construction
thereof the singular number shall be
deemed to include the, plural, and the
plural shall be deemed to include the
singular number, and the masculine gem
der shall be deemed to include the lem
mime gender.
The person making such a grant as is
contemplated by the Act may designate
the nature, object and purposes of the in
stltutlon TO be endowed and maintained;
the name by which it shall be known; the
powers and duties Of the trustees; the
mode and manner and by whom the sue
ceSsors to the trustees are to beappointed
rules and regulations for the manage
ment of the institution (but such rules,
unless the grantor otherwise prescribes.
shall be deemed advisory only, and shall
not preclude the trustees from making
such changes as new conditions from
time 10 time may require); the place and
time for the erection Of the institution
and its character and extent; the trades
and professions which shall be taught,
and the terms upon which scholars may
be admitted, as well as for maintaining
free scholarships for the children Of per-
sons who have rendered service to the
State, and for the children of mechanics,
tTadesmen and laborerS who have died
without leaving means sufficient to give
such children practical education; also
the terms by which students may attend
the lectures without cost to themselves.
or may have access to the museums, art
galleries and cOnseryatOries of music
connected with such institution IF so con-
nected) without becoming students of
this particular institution.
RIGHTS RESERVED.
Continuing, the Act provides that q
person making such a grant as is cen
templated may reserve the right to
amend or modify the terms and condi-
tions of the grant. The right may be
also reserved to have absolute dominion
over the personal property conveyed, and
he may also provide that if his wife sur
yive him, she, during her life, may have
the same absolute control.
Any person or persons making any
such grant may at any time thereafter,
by last will or testament, devise and he
queath to the State of California all or
any of the property, real or personal,
mentioned in such grant, or in any sup
Elemental grant, and such devise or be-
quest shall only take effect in case, from
any cause whatever the grant shall be
annulled or set aside, or the trusts therein