New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-25
A NOTABLE CITIZEN GONE.

no InC0nSluerhDle gap Ill -Nc"- IWh i'S' "'
though MIR. Belmont had not taken so conspic-
nous part of recent years in social assemblies
as was formerly his wont. But his long career
in this community had made him one OF the
hest known citizens of the metropolis, and
there are few men of weight and influence in
this country who did not know him personally.
His was life of wide and varied concerns and
activities. One of the foremost OF American
bankers, at the time when the friendship and
support of New-Y Or1 capital were indispensable
to the saving of the Union Mr.. Belmont never
bestated in lending the aid OF his resources
and his extensive influence to strengthen the
National cause. lie took conspicuous part
in the floating and conversion of National
loans. and his utteranccs were always strong
for the buttressing of the National credit and
the fortifyng of the efforts to suppress the
Rebellion. For many years MIR. Belmont was
chairman of the Democratic National Commit
tee, and his voice was potent in the councils
OF the party
Not only in politics was he a leading figure.
Before New-York wealth anu Newly ork gayety
had expanded to their present remarkable d.
mansions Mr.. Belmont was in the front rank
of social lawgivers, and the receptions, balls
and dinners at the Belmont mansion IN Fifth
ave. had reputation which was not limited
even to the boundaries Of this Republic. Men
of newer and bigger fortunes have eciipsed
him i'm dazzling entertainments, and Mr. BEL
mont. during the last decade, had shown no
eaeerness to retain his place in the list of those
whose hospitality is on so impressive scale
that their entertainments are long remembered
nfp1
older he cared less for glitter and display, and
more for the quiet comforts OF life. But his
interest in affairs. his devotion to the country
of his adoption his grasp OF business details
and his exceptional executive ability. were not
dulled or dimmed, even although he had passed
by several years the Psamist's measure OF
seventy. lie will be missed from the ranks OF
solid and sterling business men, capitalists and
bankers whose names are the equivalent OF
integrity and fair dealing. His literary tastes.
his culture. mis- fondness for paintings OF the
highest merit. the breadth and variety of his
interests, make his passing away notable and
melancholy occurrence in this community.
Nowhere will Mr.. Bemont's death be more
seriously felt and more deeply deplored than
on the turf lie was beyond all question the
first and foremost of American racing men, the
man of the largest and broadcast views, the
| highest ideals the best motives and impulses
| and the worthiest objects lie stood almost
alone among the great owners of the American
| turf in his anxiety that not the slightest stain
| of suspicion or scandal should attach to any
part of his racing establishment. There are
other men remaining upon our racecotrses
who in their personal dealings are just "a hon
| est as Nj, Belmont was but no other American
| owner who raced Oh a big scale was as sensitive
even TO the shadow of reproach as was Mr..
! Belmont. His determination 10 keep every
| thing under the famous Belmont colors-the
maroon and red-free from blemish was never
abated. Many an owner who is personally
honest enough is strangely Indifferent as to the
reputation and the practices OF the trainer and
| the Jockey whom he employs, and appears en-
| tirely unconcerned when some underiing OF hrs
| is guilty of some mdeienSible and outrageous
| trickery Mr.. Belmont would tolerate none of
these things. lie insisted that every one in
his employ should be open and above board.
There were never any devices in the Belmont
stable TO affect the betting or any schemes for
| deceiving the public. The management of his
| stable was model to other owners But in
the exorbitsnt greed and rivalry, the Unsuitable
avarice, the frenzed rush to get every dollar
out of racing that can lie squeezed ont of it,
Mr. l,emonts example will probably find few
followers lie was the one man among the
millionaire owners in America who took SO just
pride in his breeding and his racing that the
mere money results OF the sport were forgotten
in his zest for its honors and its gories. Yet
he was gifted and endowed with so rare 'an
aptitude and Intelligence in racing matters
that his breeding farm and his racing estab-
lishment nevertheless carried off the richest
prizes in the United States. In his case il was
plain that straight dealing was the best policy
in itself and brought the largest rewards as
well. And yet notwithstanding this and witt,
the lesson of his career before them, it is not
in the least likely that the great majority OF
American owners will be any the less shfty.
devious and unprincipled hereafter than they
have been in the past.