Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-05
OUR MAIL POUCH.
Troubles of the Chnrifa ble-SIrs. schcnley's
Generosity md It's Embarrassments.

Troubles of the Chnrita ble-DIrs. schcnIey'
Generosity md It's Embarrassments.
To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
Whenever boards of charity hear of person
who has given literally to some worthy oDject
they too often flock down upon the giver bJ
messenger with notes, by mail, in person or By
deputy, and waylay him at all possible point:
until sometimes he wishes he had never had
such good fortune as TO figure as philanthro
pist. Charity is often thus chilled, and life be-
comes a burden while answering or lodging the
importunate, and there is trouble in avoiding
the distinction which ore generous contribution
has given. Some like the popularity which
comes from liberal gifts, but there are other
natures which shrink from public notice,
which are SO delicate as to allow of forward
solicitation without rebuff; and to get rid of the
imposition, IN the softness Of their hearts they
often grant what is asked.
1t might be well to consider this view in re-
gard to Mrs. Schenley's donations Mrs. Schen-
ley, it is true, was born here and inherited part
of her wealth here; but she was young when
she went away and she has been away SO long
from her native land that it might be possible
that her early love for PittsDurg may not be,
at this late period of her life. quite as fresh as
1t was in the days of her youth, when she left
her young life and all OF her school
days and school friends behind her.
But, Notwithstanding her long absence, she
has done what no other citizen. old Or
young, has done for Pittsburg. Many verv rich
men have died in the past decade in Pittsburg
ana Allegheny without giving one cent toward
the beautifying of the community which they
Claimed to love so well But Mrs. Schenley.
Tar beyond the influences of a lifelong resi-
dence In the nelghborhood. during her life
tlme granted freely to the people of this city a
large body of land. with an option upon an
other large tract, which will make a breathing
or rambling place for the people of this city.
evidently TINS generosity brings its embar.
r0SSmenTS. from indi and
known applications to her for tracts of land
for this and that, unless almost divinely gifted
with patience, Mrs Schenley might almost be
glad when her last foot of ground in this city is
sold. She gave ten acres for new blind
asylum in the neighborhood of the donation
for the park, and although the city was given a
princely gift it appears that 1t is not wholly
satisfied yet. 1t would like the eve lamb too
Then comes the Carnegie library scheme.
Where is it to be put? Instantly comes the an
swer from some quarter: why, Mrs. Schen-
First ward"
When the great Exposition was first men,
toned, who but Mrs. Schenley was irst spoken
of as possible donor of a site?
When ground for several new churches was
needed. again Mrs. Schenley was in each case
suggested as donor.
And so it gOes-everybody in any way con-
nected with charitable. religious or public i'm
provemenr seems to go mad or lose dignity and
get an astignatism in the mental eye which de-
fleets toward persistent beggary.
IL seems as though the public mind is again
affected this thirteenth year since the great
railroad riots. Then everybody hoped for or
der to be restored, until men, well raised. old
citizens, even merchants, were seen carrying
home, up alleyways, the jetsam and hotsam of
the wreck. Then did it appear that chaos had
come again, and other qualities departed. There
Is some thing of this tendency now. Men of
reason In the city join with all the rest to get all
they can for nothing from Mrs. Schenley and
from the Government, apparently thinking
that Mrs. Schenley and the people of the
United States have nothing to do with their
property but to give it to the first conner.
1t is well to see the city grow beautiful and
attractive. and large and magnificent donations.
such as Pittsburg has been sigDally favored
with during the past year, should be not only
source of pride and qualification to the people,
but bring their own reward in the pleasure the
noble munifcence gives to the donor. But in
the midst of the general rejoicing over this, is
IL not well to forget that those who make hand
some benefactons should not on that account
be subjected to continued solicitation? They
should rather be remembered as having done
nobly and others should be expected TO follow
the example and supply new requirements.
F.
Mav2