New-York tribune., 1900-12-23
ROSTON'S FRANKLIN FUND
ANOTHER PosTPoNEMENT OF THE
BUILDING OF A MEMORIAL INsIl-
TUTE-HIsToRY OF THE FUND.

Boston. Dec. % CspeciaD-Agsin this week 1t las
been decided to put of for a short time the erec-
tion Of the Franklin Institute the money Tor whloh
was left in his VIII by Benjamin Franklin Z OF
one hundred years the sum has been aecunluiae-
ing and IL now amounts TO $4,000. grown from
the modest flcoo originally bequeethed. The cir
cumstances OF this beouest are peculiar ana h'ue
known outside of Boston The sarl was LEFT Tor
the encouragement Of young mechanics. 1t was
TO be out per cent interest in sums of mot
more than eco or less than fl6 20 young married
arfiacers under the age Of twenty-five who have
faithfully served apprenticeship in Boston, so as
TO obtain certificate OF good moral character
from at least two respectable citizens who are
willing 10 become their sureties in bond for the
payment Of the money" The loans were TO be
repaid in annual instalments of 10 per cent each.
The trustees OF the fund.- under the will, are the
Board OF Aldermen (sncceeding the Selectmen or
Franklin's day) and the ministers of the Oldest
Episcopal. Congregational and Presbyterian
churches IN the city It further devised that
at the end Of hundred years. at which time
the testator estimated that the bequest would
amount 10 fi3I0O0, the trustees should LAY out at
their discretion 100000 in public works which may
be Judged Of most general utility 10 the inhab-
ffants. such fortihcatons, public buildings
aoueducts. baths. paveraents. whatever may
make living in the town more convenient 10 its
people and render 1t more agreeable TO strangers
resorting thither for health for a temporary
residence" The remaining fSl 900 TO be fur
CHANGES IN THE ORIGINAL PLAN.
Such were the quaint devices of the old states
man for benefting the town he loved. Nothing
could have been more canny from his point of
view. Unfortunately, however. he could not
foresee the changes Of modern society, and ii soon
became npracticable TO render 20 young mechan-
ics the assistance Franklin so earnestly desired to
give them. It was found that the scheme of pro-
vding sureties guarantee the payment of the
loans made TO young married artiicers was not a
success. AS result the loans were withdrawn
altogether. and the money was invested in the
ordinary manner. Under these circumstances 1t
impossible TO obtain the per cent interest to
which Franklin looked forward, that the sum
has fallen considerably short Of what he antici-
pated. The city is loser by S2500o0 by the failure
OF the plan apparently so cleverly devised but
Boston is still nearly $4,000 richer for the fore
sight Of the statesman and in its gratitude is not
The sum became available at the expiration of
hundred years. in 1891. and then began the dis
cussion Of the use to which IT should be put. 1t
seemed that. since the mechanics were the first in
the thoughts OF the giver. the should be de-
voted to the erection Of building which should
be dedicated 10 the beiterment of the working
class On this point there is unanimity. The one
question which has been debated is simply the
manner in which the money can be of most prac-
tical benefit. The idea OF a trade school was put
labor leaders At length a plan was drawn up for
a workingman's institute not unlike the Peoples
checked is pretty certain to go through eVentuay,
with few notifications
AMONG AN ALIEN POPULATION.
That the whole thing may be connected with
Franklin. the site Of the proposed building be
either Franklin Square the old Franklin School
house. Both these sites are at Boston's South End.
fashionable district. which is gradually CIV
ing way TO the slums. Franklin Square still re-
tains something of its old social prestige on ac-
count Of fits beautiful little park but it will not
long hold out against the invading tide of Irish
and Italian working people. The Franklin School
house now stands in q neighborhood which has
entirely lost its American character. There is a
wide Aeld for institution the proposed lines.
The object Of the Franklin Institute is defined as
being: TO promote educs tionaI measures of two
principal kinds; first, those looking general edu-
cation-e. by classes and lectures in history and
political and social science; and second those look
ing 20 theoretical and practical instruction in such
OF the applied arts and sciences best calcu-
lated TO stimulate and widen the intelligence cul-
tVate the TASTE enhance the skill and measure
me enelency OF the people Of Boston, special
BaTd Delng given 10 those who are artisans"
The institute viii contain a large auditorium a
prahch OF the Public Library. lecture and class
rooms. a room for public exhibitions and enter
tainlnents, public lavatories and the like On these
points there is unanlmity among the trustees The
present difaculty is probably only temporary and
as assured.
II might be added that Franklin left 10 the city
OF Fhilaoeiphia similar sum, under exactly SINH
ler conditions. Probably from lack OF care in
making investments the sum is less than that
a. me olsposal OF Boston, and less is being heard