The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-10
CAN TIE PEABODY FUND BE
MaSSED IN ONE STATE?

At the recent meeting of the trustees
of the Peabody fund, they discussed the
wisdom of ending the trust and dividing
the fund. The sentiment of the ma
jority of the trustees seemed to be in
favor of terminating the trust, and Of
consolidating much of the fund by pro-
viding for an endowment of something
like two million dollars for Peabody Nor
NAL College located at Nashville, Tenn.
That would be a great thing for the
State of Tennessee, but would be taking
away benefits from other States in or
der to heap up the benefits of the Pea
body fund for the State of Tennessee.
Such disposition of the Peabody fund
would work gross injustice to every
State in the South, and would defeat the
purposes of Peabody's benefaction. The
Peabody money expended in helping the
graded schools in the South and in ad
vancing normal instruction has been a
mighty stimulus to public education. 1t
would be a great blow to many insti-
tutions if it should be withdrawn and
consolidated at the Peabody Normal Col
lege at Nashville.
Judge Graham, chairman Of the Com
mittee on Education, will probably intro
duce a resolution requesting the trus-
tees, If they shall determine to termi-
nate the trust, to make such distribu-
ton as will give to each State sufficient
fund to continue the good work now be-
ing done in that State by the Peabody
fund. North Carolina would get at least
100000 if so divided.
The suggestion that the fund should be
employed in making great university OF
Peabody College has caused surprise
throughout the entire South. The South
has enough universities. What it most
needs in the way of higher education
is not to build up others, but to strength
en- those already in existence. One great
central normal college in Tennessee is
not needed, but there is need that in
every Southern State there shall be
strong departments or colleges giving
normal instruction.
We seriously doubt whether the trus-
tees Of the Peabody fund really contem
plate using most Of the fund to endow
Peabody College at Nashville, Tenn The
following extracts from letters written
by Mr.. Peabody would indicate that the
trustees have no authority to use the
fund in any way to divert its benefits
from all the Southern States:
Extract from letter dated Washington,
February T. 1867:
81 furthermore give to you the pow
err. in case two-thirds the trustees shall
at any time, after the lapse of thirty
years, deem it expedient, to close TINS
trust. and. of the funds which at that
time shall be in the hands OF yourselves
and your successors, to distribute not
less than two thirds among such edu-
cational or literary institutions, or for
such educational purposes, as they may
determine. in the States for whose bene-
fit the income is now appointed to De
used. The remainder may be distributed
bv the trustees for educational or liter
ary purposes wherever they may deem
it expedient."
Extract from letter dated Salem, June
90, 1869:
and it is my desire that when
the trust is closed, and the final dis
tribution made by yourselves or your
successors, all the fourteen Southern
States. including Maryland, kentucky.
Missouri and Texas shall share in that
distribution according to their needs
Peabody Educational Fund proceedings
volume t. D. 3, 6, IA.