Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-26
The Rich Men OF New York.


The Rich Men ofNew York.
RICH AND POOR.
These terms are entirely relative, and
their meanings change with different cir
cumstances. 1t is often repeated as sage
remark Of John Jacob Astor. that man
3" worth S5O,O00 is as well off as though he
were rich" This shows that Astor did not
consider the fifty thousand dollar man enti-
tied to place in the h7ppy category. Ac-
cording to the way our great capitalists eI-
press themselves, the number of the latter is
very limited. Some time ago, while speak
ing with distinguished lawyer, I included
Moses Grinnell among the men of wealth.
" Sir, was the reply, Moses Grinnell is
not rich. He cannot at the outside be worth
more than half a million. In the view of
this lawyer, no man is included among the
rich except those worth million or up
wards. Chief among these Is the noted trio,
Astor, Stewart and Vanderbilt, whose ag-
gregate wealth may be set down at one hun
dred and fifty millions. have often heard
oil the - three wise men of Gotham" and
presume that this lucky triplet is meant
They are three very plain men in dress and
diet. 1t is doubtful if their expenses for
food and clothing are more than those of
some well paid clerks. Place them in a
room, and lead in stranger. and he would
take the Commodore for retired clergyman,
~ INV v.bx A..
grocer or livery stable man. Much would
be his surprise to learn that these are the
three wise men of Gotham Appear
ances are very deceptive, especially among
men Of wealth. The Commodore. for in
stance, is very unclericsl in his mode of con-
versation, and takes great liberties with the
commandments
OTHER RICH MN.
Among other :" rich men" are the Stuarts,
Robert L. and Alexander, who are estima-
ted at from five to ten millions. The latter
Is bachelor, while the former though mar
ried has no children. As they are now ad-
yanced in years this wealth will soon be
scattered. They occupy a fine mansion on
tIltn avenue, and among other neighbors Of
the same stamp are August Belmont and
Marshall o. Roberts, who are handsomely re
corded among the millions George Law is
also a neighbOr whose bank stock and railway
property alone are worth more than a mil
lion. f. 5. Jaifray, another neighbor, is
entitled to an equal estimate. lie Is the
richest dry goods dealer in this city next to
Stewart. James Lenox Is too well known
to require more than mere mention. James
Gordon Bennett is by inheritance the owner
OF an estate estimated at five millions, which
is the largest ever left by any editor in the
records of the press. Peter Cooper has
property Of equal value, which has been
honestly made and is used for the benefit of
mankind. James Brown (of Brown broth
ers) Is another benevolent millionaire. Amos
r. Enos, the owner of the Fifth Avenue ho-
tel, is worth two millions, II. B. Clahin is
estimated at nearly a similar figure, while
Edward Mathews, the chief landlord of
Wall street, is probably thrice as rich.
HOW THEY RANK
Millionaires are called d" ricn men," and
none Others may expect this felicitous title.
\ halt millionaire is said to be :. well off |
and Independent - \ S250,000 man is |
- very comfortable" Place the figures at
500, coo and the owner Is a. small man :"
under $50 O00 be is " poor, while S2j,-
OOD man is sue. a poor devil as to be un-
worthy of mention. Such is the power Of !
money worship that all moral excellencies
are obliterated BY its fascination Most of |
this wealth sprang from small beginnings. |
Stewart and the Commodore commenced very /
poor and with great economy. This exam
pie is often undervalued by beginners.
Beginners in life are not willing to follow |
Mayor IIayemeyer's example in " eating |
their pie" and hence eventually reach the |
place where they have no pie to eat. Our
rich men look closely at little things, fea
ture which | noticed while making trifing |
purchase at Stewart's The owner of mil |
lions Was on his morning toar. and his keen .
glance detected 4 small remnant of domestic .
goods on the counter. He approached the .
spot and said in a sharp tone. - lou are no. |
u allow such remnants. II piece ha- ten
yards and woman wants eight. let her bay 1
all Or none rs Stewart said this he no
ticed parcel on the loor :" And whose is
this" was his minute inquiry " 1t Is
mine, sir, was the reply. - Nou had bet
ter watch it, >" said he. " We have too many 1
light fingers round. lie then passed on,
and in a few moments moved 10 another
counter, which he soon approached. He
Immediately recognized me with 4 smile, and
remarked, - Well sir, how are you getting
on - e Very well, sir, said |, adding by
way Of good humor, - | think you have
bright set of boys here - All, sir, wish
| could sav 50 wish eould say 50 ' lie
replied, and then passed on in his morning
tour. | mention this to show his habits Of
close obseryation-N y. Cor.