The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-29
RICH AND POOR.
Some Of the MiIIiopaircs Of New
York city.


From the Brooklyn Eagle
Next to knowing how much they
are themselves worth, the liveleSt
anxiety OF many people is to know
how much their neighbors are worth.
Until the publication Of income returns
was prohibited by the internal revenue
officials, the papers containing the lists
were as eagerly read as extras annOunc-
ing a formidable riot, the most horrI-
bic murder Oi the season or general
war in Europe. Those returns, how
ever, were an inaccurate directory Of
our rich men, and an inexact index TO
the wealth distribution Of the commu-
nity. A bold speculator might realize
a very large income this year, and lose
it all next year Or very opuient
merchant, owing to a dull season,
might show a slender revenue or
none at all, while his accumulated
fortune might remain intact. An
pual income is therefore 10y no means
a measure OF actual capital or es-
tate. The statistics OF the cen.
sus, it would seem, must he more
reliable, because they assume to state,
not profits for a given period, but actual
and permanent property. Whether
thev are really reliable is a question on
which some light may presently be
thrown. However that may be, when
the volumes Of the last census are
opened to the public perhaps no de.
partment will be more curiou-ly studied
than the lists OF wealthy citizens. A
compilation already published Of New
Workers recorded as worth $2jO,OOO
and upward is interesting. 1t appears
that OF millionaires Chose whose estate
cannot be set forth in less than seven
fgures) there are forty-seven. At the
head OF these is the we'll known Daniel
Drew, the cattle drover Of early YEAR,
the steamboat owner and railroad Iun-
ner. the maker OF stock corners, the
builder Of churches, and the founder OF
theological seminaries, who comes down
handsomely with a confession OF 81
100000. Next in financial weight IL
Cornelius Roosevelt, who i credited
with $l3,OOOOO0. Even the Vice
Presidency Of a railroad may be made
worth Sc, 100000, as William II. Van
derbilt proves. James Gordon Ben
nett, of the Herald, has iound jour
nalisn profitable to tue extent OF
s6 OOOOOO, and the richest dentist,
Elisha Parmly, follows hard after with
s. 100000. In clothing the people,
sppplying them with tobacco, and dress-
ing their wives and daughters, Elijah
Brooks. Peter Gilsey and A. !. Stewart
have realized 100000 cash. The
figures can hardly be correct as to
| Stewart, who has been rated at many
times that sum. There are eighty-two
million men. Peruvian Minister Bare.
da is worth 81 10000. If the service
OF minor power be 80 profitable, what
nust be the eremuneratIveness OF q great
country. Here is another railroad
Vice President, Sidney Dillon, who has
accumulated s2,0O0,OOO The ambition
of briefess barristers, turned loose IN
crowds at every General Term, will be
kindled BY tn. statement that John
Bi1by, lawyer, is worth $4,000.
This is doing better than very eminent
LAWYER, Charles OConner, who 10 put
down for S450OO0 The retired mer'
chants" do very well, securing a very
comfortable representation among the
millions. There are relatively few
gentlemen" in the list, and they. are
compelled to struggle along on narrow
! resources ranging from $4,000 "a