New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-09
is:ing ills until remedies that are surely wise
and safe can be mltured.
THE DEITH OF NR VANDERBIIT


THE DEATH OF MR. VANDEGBILT
The familiar Latin line reminds rs that Death
knocks awith equal foot " at the hovel of the
poor and the palace Of the rich. Yesterday
when the startling announcement was made
that William ii. Vanderbilt had suddenly re-
ceved his last summons, the fact that the rider
of the pale hOrsr was 10 rcSpecter OF earthly
conditions received an Illustration which came
hcme to every one. The richest man not only
in America but in the round world, Mr.. Wander
bilt WAS pOwerlcss rs the poorest to delay or
evade the inevitable hour; and Ike the veriest
beqaar he departed mpty-handed.
Men are likely to differ IN their estimates OF
Mr.. Vanderbilt. But, nevertheless, some
salient points there will be substantial agree
ment on the part of those who knew him best,
who saw him as he was. 1t was the fashion to
call him a mOnOpolst, but the truth remains
to qualify the eplthet that lie employed his
great wealth not to break down but to build up
the great properties with which he was
nccted and in which he had the controlling
voice. His name was not linked with conspra-
cjes TO fatten on the ruin of his less fortunate
fellows The method of his Acknowledgement
was not conditioned the misfortune of
smaller holders of this worlds goods. As re-
suit of the conservative policy which he pur
sued with so much sagacty bushel of wheat
to-day can be moved from far Dakota, where it is
grown. TO the poOl man on the seabOard, who is
to eat it, at what WAS the cost of carrying it to
the same destination from the GencSee Valley
when Mr. Vanderbilt fairly began to deal with
the transportation problem. And to this con
sdoration touching the direction of his energies
81, h., al InJ nf Ia fpH Gip
Mr.. Vanderbilt by reason of his many millions
was necessarily the possessOr of almost auto
cratic power. 1t would not have been surpris-
ing, seeing that he was not nurtured in the
school of restraint, had he yielded to the
enormous temptations to vice and to the
reckless use of arbitrary power which some
times 90 with enormous wealth. But ne USED
his riches, rs not abusing them. This is not
holding that he used them to promote the
greatest good of tine greatest number. but that
his power and influence were largely on the side
of the right and the wholesome, that he was
public spirited that he was liberal giycr to
that which was most deserving.
lie was not known as "A philanthropist and
made no effort to acquire the name All the
same, ne WIS open handed 10 worthy objects that
commended Themselves 10 his sympathy and on
occasion he gave magnitcently. He footed the
immense b lis for transporting the Obellsk from
beyond seas and setting IL mp in Central Park,
keeping so quie about the bcncfactiun that the
pubic was long in discovering that it was he 10
whom they were ind bt"d for 80 handsome
deed of practical devotion to the city's interests.
And 50 the Vanderbilt University, to which his
fathct--ihe great, the sasacous Commodore,
so aptly stled the Colossus Of Roads--had con
trbu,ed so lavshiy, knew the son most
generous patron. sill fresh in the public mind
are his gift of hl,f million dollars Is a build-
ing fund to the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of this city and his release Of Cen
erdl Gran'-rXecuted with Is much OF dclicaCy
as libcrality-.rOm a debt of some 81 -. 900.
AID just here fact may be disclosed, not
generally known, which further and in
marked manner testiies to his generosity
and to his interest in the city which
was his home. 1t had long been his desire to
purchase the Iot just across from his residence
in Fifth-avc.. in order that he might erect
thereon and endow an art gallery which would
be worthy alike of the givcr and Of the me-
tr1pOlis. He looked forward to spending the
twilight of his life in supervising the execution
OF this noble scheme for the entertainment and
instruction of those who should come after him.
There proved to be a serious if not IN insur-
III ountabe difficulty in the way OF his securing
the site in queS.ion-which naturally he pre-
fcrred to any othcr-lnd it Is believed he was
called away before his plan took form. But his
friends knew how carnc.t he was In the matter,
and in this review it is but proper to recognize
an intention 80 admirable which sudden death |
may have baked.
There will be much speculation to-day touch |
Ing the effect of his deccasc upon business !
on the great transportation lines |
which have come to be known "a the Wander
bilt roals. But the very fact that he had not
been Spectator in the mischicvous sense of !
the term and that he leaves behind him com
pctcnt and trustworthy sons, who will naturally
take mp the burdens " Iich he lays down and
maintain the pollcJ which brought him such
success, is in the highest degree re-
SECRET1RT MANAING'S REPORT
c. ~