The Indianapolis journal., 1884-05-17
MIR. sENEY's CHARITIES.
His Reasons for Giving So Literally to
Churches and Public Institutions.

New York Evening Post.
In an extremely interesting conversation some
time ago George l. Seney said: Il take great
pleasure in giving away money, more than in
boarding it, and if have thus parted with over
half million of dollars I can at the same time
realize the truthfulness of the injunction, 1T is
more blessed to give than to receive In the
midst of my enormous business can find time
for widespread social relations. l never give to
the idle, the dissipated the wandering; but
believe it has been my good fortune to make
many families happy by aiding them to help
themselves. give away money in my lifetime
instead of bequeathing it in my will, because 1
have seen the wishes of testators set aside so
often that l wanted to make sure that my money
would go exactly where l wanted. l also give it
away to prevent myself from begettng dispo-
sition to hoard it, as many who accumulate for
tunes are apt to do. When man boards he be-
comes close listed and mean and | wanted to
avoid having that disposition 1t would not be
wise OF even practicable in me to adopt the prac-
tice of indiscriminate giving, and | therefore
have to refuse many applications, of which /
have received thousands. Most of the money
that have given away has been unsolicited, and
withoutany idea on the part of the recipients
that thev were to get it, except in one instance,
where gave 81 500 to the Young Mems Christian
Association Gymnasium. | gave $27 900 to the
| wesleyan university at MlQulet0Wn, Conn, Dc-
cause L had been student there, and knew its
financial difficulties. l had fear that the uni
versity would one day wind up for want of funds,
so l thought my little assistance might
make matters easier for them, as they
can now be Of certain income.
1t was my love for the old college that
led me to do this, and to make of it the
money was given in my lifetime; so many of
these bequests fail to reach the proper hands
after the death of the person desiring to give it.
My gifts to the new hospital in Brooklyn We're for
the purpose of placing thai city in as good posi-
tion as New York, so far as a hospitals was con
cerned Brooklyn has churches and other inSti-
tutions equal to, if not better than the metropo-
lis, but was lacking in hospital accommodations
therefore l gave the new hospital sixteen lots of
ground on Seventh avenue, worth $40, 900, and
5000, 600 in cash That will enable it to start
fairly out and at once. 1t is not necessary to
build the hospital on the lots given if better
site can be selected, but the ground may be sold
and the proceeds 60 toward the purchase of the
site. Although the hospital will be under
| the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal
| Church, there is to be distinction of race,
SEX or sects with regard to the patients. The
sick of all nations and colors are to be received
as benefciaries My gifts to the Long Island
Historical Societys liabrary fund amounted to
| $62 900, merely to place the institution upon a
| par with that of New York as ! do not like to
see Brooklyn overshadowed in such matters
| The citizens of Brooklyn will have no occasion
now to go across the East river to consult the
LenOX or Astor libraries, as they will have one
of their own This gift was spontaneous act
of mine, and unsolicited. l gave $4,000 to the
Industrial Home in Butler street, unsolicited,
because it was in need of increased accommoda-
tions, and also $40 900 to a secular college at
Oxford, Ga, as it was struggling along under
debt and the money would help them to a more
secure foundation. have posted myself in my
own way to the institutions selected by me,
and have sought to render my assistance with
out any except the benifciares knowing OF it.
But in some manner the facts have gained pub
George l. Seney was born in Astoria l.. l., on
May l2, 1926, his father being Methodist clergy
man, belonging to the New York Conference,
and a leading minister who had gained distinc
ton as a divine at the Mulberry street Methodist
Church. and the Allen-street Methodist Church
Mr. Seneys grandmother was the daughter
of Commodore James Nicholson, United
States navy. One of his aunts was the
wife of Albert Gaatin, and it was under the
tuteage of the great fnancier that Mr. Seney
imbibed his first ideas of finance. Part of Mr.
Seneys college days was passed at Wesleyan
University, in Connecticut, but subsequently he
went to Columbia College, where he was gradu-
ated in 1S47 He entered the Metropolitan Bank
in 1852 as paying teller Eve years later he was
chosen cashier He succeeded John e. Williams
as president
HIS HOME AND WAYS.
New York Sun.
Mr.. Seney lives in the splendid mansion built
by J. S, Rockwell, the crest of the hill oppo-
site Wall ferry, in Brooklyn His neigh
Dor across the street is A. A. Low. The house
which was fitted up at great expense as model
in sanitation, proved fatal to Mr. Rockwell, and
after his death it was discovered that the man
sion was actually ventilating great sewer Mr.
Seney since purchasing it, has added to it an
art gallery containing the choicest collection of
paintings in Brooklyn. He was domestic man,
reticent in habit and was but little known by
sight in Brooklyn Like Ferdinand Ward, he
was an attendant of the Church of the Pilgrims
The persuasiveness of the Rev, Dr. r. S, Storrs
was potent in opening his purse strings, espe-
cially for additions to the book treasures i'll Long
Island Historical Library, of which he was a
most liberal patron, buying classics, engravings,
and rare things which connoissours recommend
| ed to him. He was for time so systematically
liberal TO charities that one of his bright daugh
ters once said to him; Papa, | wish | was
| charitable institution"
Mr.. Seney rarely gave where his charity was
sought He refused to notice begging letters,