The Republican journal., 1897-01-14
Wills of MiIlionaires.

Two wills, both by millionaries,
have caused general comment. One,
that of Samuel J. Tilden, has been be-
fore the courts and the public ever
since it was admitted to probate, and
it is somewhat remarkable that so
astute business man as MI Tiden should
have made will that would not stand.
The last remnant of the public requests
made by it has been swept away by de-
lision of the New York supreme court de-
claring the provisions for public library
at New Lebanon, and another at Yonkers,
invalid. The main bequest-that is, for
a free library and reading room in the city
of New York, was set aside on the ground
that the power conferred by the will on
the executors was void for indetiniteness
and uncertainty in objects and purposes.
That is to say, the discretion was left with
the executors, if they deemed it ineXpe-
dent to found a public library, to apply
the residue of the estate whose admins
tration was confided to them to such char
as might, in their judgment, be most
widely and substantially beneficial to the
interests of mankind.
There could be no doubt here as to the
intention of the testator, and that has gem
orally been held to govern in such cases.
Mr.. Tilden had made what he deemed
ample provision for his heirs at law, and
there was no excuse on that ground for
defeating his evident purpose to establish
a free library and reading room for the
benefit of the people of New York. BY a
compromise made in the course of the lit
igation with niece of Mr.. Tilden, two
thirds of her share of the estate, OF about
81, 900, 900, was left in possession of the
Tilden trust, and that is all that New
princely munifcence.
The will of the late Hon. Henry l..
Pierce of Boston is remarkable for it's
munificent public and private requests.
His public requests aggregate 1888, 600,
and include educational, religious and
| charitable institutions, in sums nom 3d.
600 to $50, OOO He bequeathed million
and half dollars to his brother Edward
L. Pierce and his brother family, which
includes eight children. He gives Thos.
Bailey Aldrich, the author, the house,
barn, about two acres of land and also all
| furniture in the summer residence at
Ponkapoag, and to I. B. Aldrich and wife
5000, 600. To the Metropolitan Park COM
mission fine farm of about 400 acres to
be added to Boston park lands. To the
officers and employees of the Walter Baker
Co., of which corporation Mr. Pierce was
the head, are given sums from $40, 900 to
500, 900; ard to each person. male or fe-
male, in the employ of the testator at the
time of his decease, not otherwise nam
ed as legatees, is given 500. Any of the
residue that may remain after paying all
the legacies is to be divided among the
Museum of Fine Arts, the President and
Fellows of Harvard College, the Massa-
| chusetts Hospital, the Massachusetts In
stitute of Technology, the Massachusetts,
Homeopathic Hospital.
1t is doubtful if another such will was
ever made in this country or any other.
Relatives, friends and employees are all
richly remembered, and the gifts of pub
lie nature are widely distributed and be-
slowed with good Judgment. There is not
only no faul to be found with such will,
but it is hoped it may be taken as model
Inv other m illiona iroc