New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
TO NTElL MS coon MAIZE.
TRUST UPON WHICH A CORPORATION
RECEIVED A BEQTEST

\ Ifi 81 lfoN HIGH CORPORATION
RECEIVED 4 BEQUEST
Baltimore. Jan 80 A question has arisen here
involving not only interesting points OF law. but
The question Of IN, rights and power OF q state
legislature 10 change the name and purposes OF
trust upon which A corporation receives be
quest. rft. The facts have been discussed a.
great length In the newspapers OF this city. but
are q general interest and Importance
In $50 Moses sheppard a wealthy citizen Of BAL
tmore endowed during his lifetime with over
haif million dollars institution which was
incorporated as the sheppard Asylum. It's oh
is.t was the more humane and scientific treat
renf of the insane ~ his death Mr. Sheppard
eft an additional sum Of $685. co 10 the asylum
The institution Is to-day in hourshing condition.
and apparently performing tho functions its
founder intended.
Under the original charter tho Sheppard Asylum
Ves authorized are al such institutions, 20
receive requests and legacies The present contro-
versv has arisen in consequence OF beQuest to
This institution which involves not only change
o' the name but modification OF its purposes
This legacy was bequoathcd by Enoch Pratt, also
p wcn-known and public-spirted citizen OF Balti-
more whose name is identified with the pubic
library and other institutions. The will Of Mr.
Pra, provides after certain specific requests. that
the residue Of the estate shall 20 to the Shep-
pard Aevlum provided the name shall be- changed
% the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital To
The money The trustees or the Sheppafh
ASYLUM seem TO he willing that the name Of the
original donor shall he practically ODliteiated
Those opposed 10 thus taking away from Moses
Sronrard mis- good name contend that the name Of
sheppard is FREQUENTLY used as Christian name
and happens 20 be given name in the Pratt
family. and hence the institution thus renamed
fae sheppard and Enoc1 Pratt Hospital" might
re thought an Institution founded by two brothers.
M mod respectively Sheppard and Enocn Pratt
Without going into the motives OF those who OBJ
o,f 10 This for they may be selfish ones, the real
point Al issue is very grave one, involving both
me right and the wisdom OF changing the names
% public Institutions founded by dead donors by
act Of legislature Il Is contended by jursts that
such precedenfs are not only wrong. but dangerous
and contrary 20 public policy. as being calculated
20 q str0y the confidence OF other pupnc-splilled
people who nave their own notions IN this matter
~ Pa ming the Institutions they endow There are
those who are wholly unnterested IN 'he ffatt
estate who take rue ground that for the STATE
LEGISLATURE Of Maryland or any other STATE mus
60 AXE e'eps 10 annu what should he sacreolF
regarded an inviolate and perpetual charter "ouiu
have a serious effect in the Encouragement OF ne
quests. the matter now stands the senate mas
PASSED the bill for this purpose. and II VIII soon
10 taken I'd and discussed IN the House Inc
result js Of Intense interest here and OF more or
Jess importance throughout tho country.