New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-02
WHAT THE WRITER THINKS.
HE TALKS ABOUT THE CRITICISMS on 1T.

HE TALKS ABOUT THE CRITICISMS on 1T.
The friends Of Ward McAlster the author Of " So
cley as Have Found It, and they are many. feel
somewhat annoyed because the critics have devoted
more space to discussion OF Mr. McAlisers person
atty than to the merits of the book Mr. McAIlistcr
himself while highly grated with the reception given
to his work would have preferred the critics
leave his individuality out of their discussions. In
conversation recently he said:
The newspapers responsible for having me re-
garded as a leader of society. / have never been
silly enough 10 make so prcpostcrous an assumption
have had much TO do with society. OF and It
was thought that qualified to relate some facts
concerning an exclusive class In whose dOngs the resi-
of the world had manifested lively interest. /
did not write OF society ought to have BEEN as
had made il, or as wanted to make IL, but simply
as had found it. The critics have treated me very
generously a rule, but would have been better
pleased had they dealt with the book exclusively.
leaving me as individual out of their consideration
entirely"
one of Mr.. McAllister's warmest friends. who Is
also one of his legal advisers told the writer few
days ago that the newspapers had given the public an
altogether erroneous idea = Mr.. McAsters character
lie is not man. said he, who devotes his life
entirely to social diversions, he has been widely
portrayed. ON the contrary, he Is Of the shrewd-
est and hardest working business men in New-Sork
The characterizing Of the highest social circle of New
York the 400 entirely an accident hr'
McAlster was asked how many families OF the city
were members OF what had been termed the upper
ten" of society. and in ofhand way he replied {;
oh, should think about 400 This remark was
taken up and harped upon by the newspapers until
it became entirely natural for everybody to refer TO
the exclusive society OF New York the 400
Mr.. McAlster, OF course. had no idea Of establish
ing limit TO the smart set His remark was en-
trely devoid OF any intention n convey meaning
that there could not be than 400 families In
society. II merely guess at the actual number.
but il a shrewd cIieSs at that The puhhc does
know but il is that Mr.. McAllister has sue
cessfuy managed extensive interests that he has built
up his own fortune from modest competency 10 more
than comfortable proportions by splendid management
that he has successfully developed the resources OF
other people who have ntrusted their interests TO his
able hands. He is TO dav better posted on the manage
nent OF pier and bulkhcad property thar any other
man in New-YOrlS He has investments In properties
along the water fronts of the city and derives sub
stantial income from that source. Mr.. McAlli'ter
owns considerable interest III Pier No North
RIVER one Of the most valuable waterfront properties
in the CITY. This pier alone brings in an income OF
$4,000 year. or than per cent on an invest
ment Of about 100000
AS long ago as 1871, when the Tweed Ring WAS
endeavOrnG to blackmall owners of riverfront prop
crty by filling in beyond the bulkhcad line, Mr. Nc
aliser became interested in the subject Of saving this
property from destruction and preventing the lcvying
or tribute by the ring lie went personally tn Albany,
and by perisency never eXcelled, succeeded in hav
ing law passed which circumventcd the rinCsters In
their nefarious scheme All this he accomplished al
most single handed and II has been estimated that he
saved % the owners OF err and bulhheads not less
than 800 900. Since 1871 he mas made repeated
investments in pier and bullChead property, and his
fortune has increased materially. Business men have
long regarded him a careful manager. and he has
been solicited very often to direct the investments Of
others In accepting such trusts he has acted for his
friends as conscientously for himself with the
suit that his business capacity and fidelity thor
oughy relied upon.
society for Mr. McAllister is an amusement
diversion, but his first thoughts for his business
Interests He makes his home his Office for he is one
Of the most domestic Of He has a large desk in
one of his dining room. which Is filled 10
flowing with important business documents. Here he
spends his mornings writing letters and disposing OF
business affairs. II his social duties or pleasures
cupy a large proportion OF single day evening il
is not unusual for him to remain at his desk until
O'Clock in the morning to clear matter
of business before retiring TO rest. lie writes
about forty letters day. all OF which work he
does alone never having depended upon the services
of a secretary amanuenss. lie Is OF most
temperate habits. and having always taken scrupulous
care OF his health he is to-day robust and strong a.
good things Of life is true that he knows the
value OF moderation in all things. | will give YOU
bit OF evidence Of his business sagacty few years
lie had control OF piece OF rver-front property
which produced little il any income. Under Mr.. Nc
Alsters direction the property developed and now
brings in income Of at least 1880 year. Is It
any wonder that those who know him best have great
confidence in his business ability II is his ability 70
grasp details in the management of business and social
makes him successful I'm both
Mr. McAllster is exceedingly modest when talking
about his book and the reception IL has met. lie
has saved every criticism of TIE book that he has
SEEN and he reads them with evident amusement Ills
goodnsture is always apparent and his temper is never
lufed. although he does not always agree with the
critics.
Il rather astonished7 he said. willie conversing
with some friends few evenings ago. that the
critics generally TO have overlooked the fat and
of the book in their evident avidy to treat
Of the personality Of Its author. in the first place |
have not posed and DO not now pose either as an
author or as the leader Of society That would be an
absurd position for me take In writing my book
endeavored 10 draw picture Of society as had
seen it with my own eyes.
None Of the critics has treated of that part Of
the book which refers to the South, where my father
and / born and where my grandfather held a
high and influential Office. Overlooking this and many
other things, they have confined their comments 70
the chapters which refer particulars TO life
In the exclusive society Of Eew-York and abroad
Yet think that part which treats of the south 10 be
Of equal if not Of greater interest and importance
When ! lived in the south ii was during that period
before the war. when slav Try was an institution.
,outherner myseh could not help realizing the pre-
postcrou nature Of the claims Of the Southern people
that the state Of things existing there made life in
the south preferable 10 that Of the North. There |
vas q sort of feudal system then among the plants
ion owners, who lords OF the manors-actually
holding lives in their hands-ke loris of creation.
Think Of owning many as coo slaves whose |
.estlnes they controlled they willed. This power
1 was, perhaps, that gave them a OF supremacy
which made them jealous Of the rapidly growing wealth
md influence of the North. II was this jealousy,
hlna, that had much 10 do with precipltating the |
sar In my book ! tried to draw pen pictures to IL
lstate the feudal system existing In the South before
he conflict came. With this object told Of the |
Duke Of Devonshires son standing on the banks of |
he river cOnversinG with old African who related