The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-09-16
EXHIBIT q.

EXHIBIT 3.
Mrs. France, who was the widow of Mr..
Tome. the founder, in sending her resigna-
ton to the Board of Trustees May IS, said
"Since my connection with the board OF
trustees of the Jacob Tome Institute l have
desired most earnestly to carry out the
wishes Of the founder of the Institute, as dis
tinctly 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 a member of said board
With my views as to what he designed the
work of the institute to be see no alterna-
tive for me but to withdraw from participa-
ton in management which I cannot ap-
prove Of and for which I am unwilling in
any degree to be responsible.
81 was strongly opposed, as you know, to
the recently enacted amendment of our char
ter. l voted against 1t at our meetings, and
when. by bare majority, the board decided
to apply to the Legislature for it. felt con-
strained to write to Senator Mccullough and
to the Delegates from Cecil county, stating
my objections and asking them to oppose it,
"Since its enactment have carefully con-
sidered the situation, and 1 am more and
more convinced of the correctness of my
Views.
Finding myself unable to approve and
powerless to resist what has been done, l
feel that ought no longer to remain in a
position of apparent acquiescence in a meas
use which I am fully persuaded is most un-
fortunate. accordingly tender my resigna-
ton as member Of your board. which I
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 it to the press If
asked for it. EvALYN s. FRANCE"
The enactment of the Maryland Assembly
Of 1904 which was secured by petition of a
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: pro-
vided the total number Of trustees shall not
exceed Is; and, provided, all of such trustees
shall be citizens of the United States and a
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 mem
bers. and that ''at least seven of said trus-
tees shall be residents OF Cecil county, and
at least Ave residents Of Port Deposit afore-
said" This was intended to insure Port De-
posit and vicinity the enjoyment of the first
privileges of the school.
Mrs. France considered the amendment
injudicious and asked the Cecil county repre-
sentatives to oppose the measure for the
following reasons. which were embodied In
letter to them:
The late Jacob Tome, founder of the In
stitute, wishing to afford greater educational
advantages to the children of Port Deposit
OF Cecil county and of the State Of Mary
land In the order mentioned, 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 residents OF
Port Deposit, with the end in view that the
interests of the children Of Port peposit
and of Cecil county be always first con-
sidered Any enlargement Of the powers
Of the corporation contrary to this would
evidently tend to deviate from the purposes
Of the founder. thus specifically expressed
and well known, for which the endowment
was given. For these reasons I oppose any
change in the act of Incorporation, because
l believe that II did not offer such open op
position would be guilty of a grave breach
of trust"