The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-06-03
RESIGNED.
Why Mrs. France Resigned From
The Board OF Trustees of Jacob
Tome Institute.
TEXT OF HER FINAL LETTER.

The resignation of Mrs. France,
a member of the board of trustees
of the Jacob Tome Institute, which
was announced in last weeks issue,
is now followed by the reasons for
this action, given by the lady: her.
self.. Mrs. France, who was the
widow of Mr.. Tome, the founder,
in sending her resignation to the
board of trustees May IS, said:
Since my connection with the board of trustees
of the Jacob Tome Institute have desired most
earnestly to carry out the wishes OF the founder
of the institute. as distinctly declared by him in
his will and in the original charter, and now
regret that my sense of obligation and duty will
not allow me to continue member of said board.
With my views as to what he designed the work
of the institute to be I see no alternative for me
but to withdraw from participation in manage
ment which cannot approve of and tor which
am unwilling in any degree to be responsible.
| was strongly opposed, as you know, to the
recently enacted amendment of our charter /
voted against it at our meetings, and when, by a
bare majority, the board decided to apply to the
Legislature for 1t, felt constrained to write to
Cecil county, stating my objections and asking
| them to oppose it.
Since its enactment have carefully considered
| the situation and am more and more convinced
| of the correctness of my views.
Finding myself unable to approve and powerless
to resist what has been done, feel that ought
| no longer to remain in a position of apparent
acquiescence in a measure which I am fully per-
| suaded is most unfortunate accordingly ten
der my resignation as a member of your board,
which beg you to accept without delay.
That my reasons for resigning may be known
request that you will direct this letter to be spread
| upon the minutes and that you give copy of 1t
to the press if asked for it.
EvALYN s. FRANCE.
The enactment of the Maryland
Assembly of 1904 which was secur-
ed by petition of majority of the
trustees, and to which Mrs. France
refers in her letter of resignation, is
substantially as follows:
Power is hereby given to the trustees of the
Jacob Tome Institute, by a majority vote at any
annual meeting of such trustees, to increase
their number at such time, by the addition Of
one or more members to the present authorized
number of nine; provided the total number Of
trustees shall not exceed Is and, provided all Of
such trustees shall be citizens of the United States
and majority of them shall be citizens OF the
State of Maryland.
Mr.. Tones provisions for the
government of the school stipulated
that the board of trustees should
be composed of nine members, and
that "at least seven of said trustees
shall be residents of Cecil county
and at least five residents of Port
Deposit Aforesaid This was in
tended to insure Port Deposit and
vicinity the enjoyment of the first
privileges of the school.
Mrs. France considered the
amendment injudicious and asked
the Cecil county representatives to
oppose the measure for the follow
ing reasons, which were embodied
in a letter to them:
The late Jacob Tome, founder of the institute,
wishing to afford greater educational advantages
to the children of Port Deposit OF Cecil county
and of the State of Maryland in the order men
toned, approved the act of Incorporation which
specified that the number of trustees should be
limited to nine, that seven of these should be
residents of Cecil county and FIVE of them resi-
dents of Port Deposit, with the end in view that
the interests of the children Of Port Deposit and
of Cecil county be always first considered. Any
enlargement of the powers of the corporation
contrary to this would evidently tend to deviate
from the purposes of the founder, unexpectedly
expressed and well known, for which the en-
dowment was given. For these reasons / oppose
any change in the act of Incorporation, because
believe that if did not offer such open opposi-
ton would be guilty of grave breach Of trust