Savannah morning news., 1886-06-16
THE USES OF WEALTH.
Senator Plat, of Connecticut, Makes
Some Pertinent Suggestions.

Senator Plat, of Connecticut, Makes
Some Pertinent Suggestions.
The Meriden Conn. Republican prints
private letter from Senator o. II. Platt,
of that State, called out by the report that
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie has given 100000
to found free public library in Allegheny
City, Pa. incidentally Mr.. Platt says:
"Andrew Carnegie is one OF the com.
paratiVely few rich manufacturers OF the
cOuntry-I think he is at the head OF the
Edgar Thomson Steel Works, q firm that
employs 5000 men more or less-a Scotch
man, or of Scotch descent, but thorough
American; still young man. He has
just written vivid history of our pro-
gress during the last 30 years, the name
OF the book being Triumphant Democ-
racy,' l think. He has been called a
Socialist, but IL there were more such it
would be better for the country. l divide
Socialists into two classes, the Lords
Socialists and the deViPs Socialists.
He belongs in the fret class. He is one
OF the very rich men in the country who
know how to spend money sensibly-
wisely for the community in which he
lives, and wisely for himself. In these
days, when the passions of the less fa-
vOred and poorer classes seem to be
aroused against those VINO acquire
wealth, such man is benefactor whose
generosity reaches far beyond the
circle in which he moves. Not
withstanding appearances 1 tor one
do not believe that our citizens who
are TO fortune and fame unknown have
any real objection to the requirement of
fortunes by those who have the qualities
which enable them to grow rich. The cry
against rich mem is really against the
methods OF obtaining wealth so prevalent
at the present time, and against the uses
men make Of wealth. Many fortunes are
made by methods which common consent
brands InequItabe, If not dishonest. The
style and object of expenditure of money
by rich people is often exasperating in the
last degree. Such acQuiremenJ
and expenditure naturally excite the an
tagonism OF those who still possess a
sense of justice, and who still hope for the
elevation, instead Of the degradation, of
the masses. But 1 am firmly convinced
that the poorest laborer when he listens
TO his better judgment is not envious of
the man who by enterprise, energy and
thrift accumulates a fortune, and sensibly
ahd wisely uses that fortune. Anarchists
ana Communists may reVel in the delu-
sion that the way to reach the highest
social state lies through the destruction
of all property, but the true citizen
knows that the best good of the
whole people is only to be
tOun0 under national con-
| ditiOns where property may not only be
acquired, but will surely be protected. 1t
is not wealth that is to be deplOred in the
body polite, but it's improper acquisition
and its improper or foolish use. We call
man who acquires sudden wealth by
questionable methods and then apes the
style aud extravaganza OF foreign aristoc-
racy a 'snob,' and there is world Of
American sentiment expressed in the
| coinage of the word which we have in
vented to convey the measure of our dis
| gust. 1t is the millionaire 'snObs' and not
the millionaire Carnegies that imperil our
republican institutions"