Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-07
Jay Gould at the Gate.

DR.. Paxton, Jay Gould's pastor, said
the other day that he knew nothing Of
Mr.. Gould's career on Wall Street, but
that he knew Mr.. Gould was one of the
loveliest men in the world in his home
life. The remarks of the reverend
gentleman have provoked the editors of
the Evening Post to dip his pen in gall,
and take issue with the reverend gentle
man in this fashion:
Here is a clergyman-a doctor of di-
vinity to boot-who "krows nothing of
the career" of the most prominent MEM
Der OF his congregation, and, more re-
would not know and has, neverthe
less, the highest esteem for him.
Now, who is this prominent member
who is such a "lovely man" in his home
life? He is probably the most conspic-
uous figure on the American continent
probably more widely known the
world over than any other American
citizen. His career, which DR.. Paxton
ignores, has filled larger space in the
history of the state of New y ork during
the last twenty years than that of anv
other man. It is full of instruction in
morality of the most striking kind.
/ He appeared on the scene in 1870 as
the very embodiment of bold knaverv
and fraud on such scale that the
exposure and punishment of it nearly
broke down our legislative and judicial
system. He stole whole railroad to
begin with, and lived with his confeder-
ate in barbarous luxury on its revenues
for some time, and corrupted courts and
legislatures in his efforts to defy justice.
When driven to bay and forced TO dis
gorge he made the unparalleled restitu-
ton of 50 ,OOO, 900, which was really only
small portion of his plumber.
His own account of his methods be-
fore a legislative committee, in carry
ing out his schemes, was one Of the
most cynical declarations of contempt
for political and social morality prob
ably ever made in public. His career
since he finally escaped from the
clutches of penal justice has been
largely that of "wrecker" of railroads
and he has prosecuted it with such
energy and success that we believe we
speak we'll within the mark when we
say that the mere fact that Jay Gould
has come into the control of a corpora
ton is considered on all the great
markets of the world signal for
widows, orphans, and prudent people
to sell it's securities and get out of it.
That such career should have
lasted for a quarter of a century without
serious break or impeachment, and
should leave its hero rich and honored
in his old age by professional morallsts
is surely the most shocking example
ever set to the young men of a modern
state. And yet his pastor knows moth
ing of it, and will not know, and begs
money of him for "church extern
sion."
The World, in commenting on the
gift of So5 900 to the University of the
CITY of New York, says:
Mr.. Gould fully feels that his identity in
the things of this world is an affair of but
4 comparatively short time to come. For
this reason he is beginning to turn his
thoughts from matters perishable to mat
tiers imperishable. He has grown greatly
in religious grace and fervor of late. He IS
clearly and rapidly shaping his course to-
ward actual membership with the church.
Very soon, indeed, after his return from
his present trip there Will be an interest
inc ceremony in DR.. Paxtons Preshy-
terlan Church. 1t may be II very quiet
ceremony-almost, indeed, a secret one
hut at its close Jay Gould will be. com
municaDt with DR.. PaXton's Presbyterian
CoE