liamson's plans were freely discussed, the necessary papers were signed, and the deed was ordered printed for the use of the Trustees and for limited circulation.
Reports of this meeting of course appeared at once in the city papers, and the news went around the world. A few days later the Foundation deed, also, was printed in full in the daily papers. With scarcely an exception the newspaper reports and editorial comments were full of appreciation and praise for the philanthropist, both for the greatness of the idea and for his purpose to get it partly realized, at least, while living. Here and there, however, a discordant note was heard. Some of the Trades Union people were at first inclined to criticize the apprenticeship features, as was to be expected. One editorial writer asked indignantly why Isaiah Williamson proposed "to spend all his money upon big, strapping boys, and let the poor delicate girls take care of themselves"; suggested that it was questionable whether Girard College had really been a benefit to those raised and educated in it; and predicted that "Williamson's
