New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-29

to TRIBUNE reporter. Hordes Of people hover
around ne, who seem 20 imagine that ought TO let
tnem put their hands deep down into my money
bags, and take what they want, and think some
wouldn't be satisfied unless they got il all. Bat
cant even think OF giving TO every one Indlscrlmi-
nately, though | may be morally certain that some
OF the applicants are worthy
At the request of the reporter Nh Seney gaye
some facts concerning his life. He born nc
Astoria, l.. L. on May II, 1926. His father was
leading Methodist clergyman, belonging 10 the
New York Conference and was graduate Of Co
lunbm College. The Rev. Dir. Seney was at ono
time pastor OF the Mulberry street Methodist Epis
copal Church in this city. then an lnifuential
society, from which -. Pauls afterward sprang.
ne dIed about twenty Zone years ago. Commodore
James Nicholson. the irst Commodore OF the nited
states Navy, was the paternal great grandtather OK
the present Mr.. Senev. One daughter Of the Com
modore was the wife of Colonel William Few.
United states senator from Georgia in the lst Con-
4TsSs Another daughter was the wife Of judge
montgomery, who was member OF the Ist Congress
from Maryland Still another daughter was the
wife OF the celebrated Albert Gallatin. The
paternal grandfather Of Mr. Seney was a member Of
the last Conttnental and also Of the Ist Federal
congress from Mary land Mr. Seney a student
no Wesleyan University IN MiddletOwn, Conn, and
Iterward entered the University Of the City OF
New York, when Theodore Frelinghuysen. tho
W ing candidate for Vice President with Henry
Gay, was chancellor Here he was graduated IN
lNt,, ia the same class with the late r. Delahed
smith. Instead Of entering on a professional
career he decided 70 20 into business and ne once
became paying teller of the Metropolitan NtilOnaI
BANK, OF which ne - now the president. Ills busi-
WI hen asked 10 give To the public he number and
amount of his benefactl0ns. Mir ~eney declined 10
mention any under $4,000 Gifts smaller than
that sum be regards az too triding to remember or
catalogue though &c Ia known that n the aggre. ats
they amount 10 a very large sum. With these eX-
ceptOns the following Is a statement Of his bequests
mp to the present date: To Wesle' an University,
Middletown, Conn. rJJO.OOO; 20 literary iustltu-
lions N Georgia, $50 600; the Long Island MS
tOrlcal Society. 100000; the Seuev Hospital in
brooklyn mot vet erected, to cost 100000; the
Industrial school for Homeless Children. Brookyn.
5000 the Brooklyn Eve aud Ear Innrmary,
$4,000: and the Brooklyn Library. $Go.DoO, on
the condition that 100000 additional II raised
before March !. As this sum Will undoubtedly 10
raised Mr.. Seuey's gift may be regarded sure 70
be made These requests make m the aggregate
Sl.4NJ.OOO, not bestowed through sentiment or
caprice, but IN accordance with the trained ludg-
mnut of "A slreNd. lar-sIEhtpd business man. When
asked why be made these various beqUests during
his life, he answered. " First of all. because feel
that am trustee responsible for the right use or
the money given me. With the experience that
nave, heIeNc tuai am the person best qualltu Jo
carry ont the provisions and duties of that trustee
ship. What certainty have | that these provisions
and duties would ever be du.y carried out after my
death Absolutely none Whereas now. by making
these gifts in my lifetime am that the prpclso
object | desire IS accomplished IN lust The way
want And then, too / am more and more con-
WINGED of The truth of the words: IL Is moro
blessed 70 give than to receive The great danger
of increasing riches il that II fosters disposition
TO hoard money only for the sake of boarding 1t.
Slightly to alter common word 70 becomes money
mania with them; they gOat over Their millions.
Just because they are millions and not because or
the happiness prOducible from them Now mann
tain that such Il spirit l. unworthy not only 81 a
true Christian bat of a true man, aud have deter-
mined never to let il appear in nv character
Sir. Seney is man of hne appearance ana roOuse
constitution, and Is capable OF doing vast deal or
business every day. lie Is OF modest disposition
and regrets the uOtoTietv which his benetactiOns
have entaied on him. He lives in a handsome
house IN kemsen-st., Brooklyn.