Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-10-05
CARES OF GREAT RICHES.
Vanderbilt, Thinks He Would Be Happier
With Only Half a Million.

vanderbilt, links lie World be Happier
With Only Half a Million.
1t seems to be favorite topic, from
year 10 year, with newspaper writer's, in
Europe and America, to estimate the
wealth of welt known capitalists. Ocoa-
sionGlly the public is surprised when
death reveals tbs magnitude of an estate
greatly undervaiued daring the lifetime
Of the pOsssssor, but, according TO writ
er in the Baltimore American, the ten
ceucy Is to exaggerate rather than de-
precIate all such opuleace. A recent
French writer computes that England
has 200 millIouaires, the United States
100, Germany so, Austria So France IS,
Russia 80, India so, s.aad ithe rest of the
world 125. The basis of calculation is
on S1,O00,00O, anything under that sum
not being considered.
Jay Gould's fortune is estimated at
S275,OO0,OO0 and J. ". Mackay's at $780,
100000. Senator Jones is put down for
100000 900. These are gross misssate-
ments. We doubt if Gou!d's holdings
would sell for $100,000,0O0. Mackav, not
80 long ago, had to borrow a few mil
lions from France to make good an I'M
fortunate wheat deal. Senator Jones had
about 100000 when he first came to
Washington, but it rapidly dissolved in
speculation, aud, however lucky he may
have been IN Alaska, we doubt if he will
ever see as much money in his grasp
again. The English fortunes are esti-
mated at something near their mark, and
So are the Vanderbilt estates, but Astor
is put too low by $50,00O,0o0, and the
Rothschilds are probably rated not quite
high enough.
One remark made on the rise of man to
enormous wealth is quite correct when
referring TO the humble origin of modern
money kings. They began in numerous
instances ct the Bottom of the ladder and
worked their way to the top. This is
specially the fact in the United States
and il is encouraging to all young men
who have their way to make in the world.
The prizes of life may not always come
to those who deserve them most, but
they rarely fai! 10 get within reach of
all who have the patience, the eEergy,
the pluck and the self-deniai to win
than. The man who succeeds is usually
master of just such qualities as insure
prosperity, and he alone knows what
serious possibilities such prominence
entails.
The French writer we have alluded to
saying to one of his friends that "a for
tune Of $500, goo, GOO is q burden too great
for any man to carry. Its weight bends
me aud kills me. l will no. permit any
one of my sons TO suffer as do. I OBJ
tain no pleasure out of my money, and it
wins for me no happiness. In what am
better off than my neighbor, who only
has half million? He enjoys far more
than 1 do the real ioys oflife. His
house is as good as mine, his health Is
better, he will live longer, and at least be
can trust his friends. When death shall
relieve me of the responsibilities that
carry l have provided that my sons shall
share between them the cares that this
money entails.
There are few men who would rot be
willing to undertake all the care mention
ed by Mr.. Vanderbilt if they had the
millions be proclaimed burden There
are other men who profess 10 be content
with very little, bat such brethren are like
the visiting angels, "fes aud far bstween.'