Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-05-27

pleases. But the plea does not hold good.
If he has inherited his money, his fellow
citizens have stood guard over his posses
sicns-as a wall of granite and fire-and
protected him in his lawful rights and
privileges. He has the benefit of a police
force, and of fire department, and the ed
ucating Of the young in the public schools
has trained the children of community
into good citizenship. Then. in all emer-
gency, the state inteVeneS with the military
arm, Then congress and legislatures
are continually framing laws for his pro
lection and convenience as a general
rule, OVERRIDING the business
And all this is quite as.true-and more
sO-Of the man of wealth who has achieved
his own fortune. This style of rich man is
usually a little more airy and ObStreperouS
than one who inheritS wealth, but the fact
is that no man has really, of his own re-
sources, made his own money. lie has had
all these aids and kinds of protection we
have mentioned, and he has had. also the
help of his fellOw-citizenS in a variety of
ways. In this city the great manufacturers
have had the hearty, enthusiastic coop
Grafton of our people, and espe-
cially of local newspapers, for
nearly half century, and they have re-
ceived assistance of a kind that their money
could not have bought, if they had had it.
and that no amount of money can now ad-
equately compensate. In thousand ways
have these great manufacturers and other
men Of wealth been helped, by tradesmen,
professional men, and by the faithful, long
continued and enthusiastic service of the
men who have worked in their shops.
Their enterprise and their products have
been advertised and praised TO the end of
the earth. Their credit has been nursed
and SuStained-and they know it
The man of great wealth is therefore, in
any case, greatly indebted to his commit
nifty and to the state, not simply for pro-
lection, but for facilities of production and
transportation almost endless. The money
king has therefore only limited power.
His is constitutional monarchy.
1t follows, logically, therefore. that men
of wealth are responsible to their fellow-cit-
iZens-as well as largely indebted to them
Ii persons of this class have built up towns
they must bear in mind that towns have
built them up; in accordance with the prn-
ciple that il is a poor rule that does not work
both ways.
Therefore, on general principles, no rich
man is free from obligation. Men of this
class discharge their public duties in part
in paying their taxes, when they do pay
them in fun proportion, but only in
part They have further duties
and privileges. Growing communities
have needs that the legislative bodies do
not supply-adequately, To say the least
These needs are so apparent that specifca-
tiOns are hardly required. Mr.. Warder has
offered $50. 900 for a public library building
if other men would provide suitable site.
1t has not yet been selected and purchased.
Our hospital project hangs fire because the
city is already burdened with taxation. We
need parks for the benefit of the toiling
masses, who have no pleasure grounds of
their own. We need facilities for the in
StructiOn and entertainment ef the masses.
Several new and larger churches are need
ID. and whatever intelligent and reasonable
men may think as Ia the creeds of these
they must admit that their infiu-
snce in a community is most wholesome,
and that they are the most powerful agency
known in promoting the peace, safety and
of the people. Several of our
men of wealth have contributed generously
IN this and other directions. We will not
name any. as We wish to make no invidious
distinctions. Who they are can he easily
iound out.
The masses fthe people cannot meet these
leedS-not even by taxation, for they are
.ither in businesses which yield scant profits,
'r are earning their subsistence by their
iaily labor. and the smaller amounts they
lay in taxes are more Cumbersome than the
arger amounts paid by their wealthy fel-
OW-citiZpuS