Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-17

| 1lH6 .Wl)D\ WIS., =
| G~S2T~%eI
1t Is curious how prone people are, in mo-
msnts OF strong excitement to do and say
| things in startling opposition to their own
customary attitude when sober Judgment
has sway.
This truism is strikingly illustrated in the
resolutions passed within the past few days
by various labor organizations, calling upon
Pittsburg Councils to return Andrew Car
| negie's gift of $l,l000OO for the Free Library
Music Hall-Museum-Art Gallery-Acad.
envy Buildings, and at the same time to over
turn his proposal to donate another s. 900 900
for the maintenance of the Art Gallery when
erected.
1t is a good many years since Mr.. Carnegie
made his proposition, which everyone then
hailed with delight, to give tho city $e50, 900
library building, provided its maintenance
should be cared for out of the municipal re-
venues, SO that every citizen should feel the
same direct interest I'm the library as in the
schools and other public institutions thus
bnrgs them existing isga dissbfisy to CONS CONS
ply with the condition. When Allegheny
did comply and got the gift subsequently
raised to nearly $3.50. .0Ool all Pittsburgers en-
Mr.. Carnegie proposed to give further $780,
600 to Pfttsburg whenever she could comply
with the condition.
Then there was a general outcry at the
apathy of our legislators in neglectiug so
long to get the legislation needed to enable
the city to ia Ike this doubled gift. If men,
ory serves number Of resolutions from
labor organizations we're among the factors
that finally induced the passage of the much
desired enactment
By this time Mr. Carnegie, instead Of
SYrrNxr fyNrp Nf ALL
ence had enlarged his plans. He offered
four times the original amount this time
and the scheme developed SO as to include q
great central building, containing the main
reference library and the Oakland district
library, large music hall with concert
organ, an art gallery with a separate 81, ,000,-
goo for Its maintenance, a museum and
headquarters for the various societies of
the Academy of Science and Art; and,
in addition. five or six district library build
ings. practically independent of the central
population in which it should be placed.
The total donation is now 81, l0O, 600, condi-
toned only upon the city's appropriating
s4o GOO year for maintaining the libraries
ton in the world Of the same scope as this.
Music-loving persons (and music has more
votaries than any other fine art-than almost
any other distinct object of human interest)
have much concern in this great institute.
An adequate hall and organ are what
musical PittsDurg most needs. The future
most valuable musical organizations,
is confessedly planned in reliance
upon this building. Only by its aid
fsiH is there ~, any apparent possibility of
ready provided is the Karl Merz Musical
Library now awaiting its final location in
Importance to musical Pittsburg are strong
probabilities in connection with the Car.
negie buildings. Unquestionably there will
variety Of the most enjoyable and beneficial
music for the thousands of people who now
throng to the same place to hear only open
air and band concerts.
desire to lose these far-reaching benefits in |
which the whole people will share, for |
reasons not at all affecting or lessening the |
actual public usefulness OF the project |
Take 1t from the most extreme point OF |
view. Suppose Mr.. Carnegie 70 have OBJ
tanned his wealth ny means that morally |
pose lie has no other object in view than his |
own personal glorffication. Two million |
one hundred thousand dollars out Of his |
pocket can do just as much good as from |
any other source; indeed, 1t would be pub
lie benefit to get such sum out of his |
hands. How can the wage worker object to
weaken his supposed arch-enemy by taking |
s.. 100 900 that might be used against him |
and putting it where it will do him goodf
Certain possessors of great wealth in the |
past have sought self-gforifcation by erect
Y,
another, by practically throwing great sums
of money away. 1t is at least fortunate for
the people, even if one thinks it no credit
to MI. Carnegie, that this vast sum of money
Is not to be thrown away but put to good
use for the whole mmunity-restored to
Its rightful owners, if you prefer. The
ver1est Communist cannot but be glad when
he sees some hated capitalist give to public |
use a big slice of the ill-gotten wealth W hich
the equally hated laws Of property would
let him keep or throw away, if he felt
ike it.
OF course Mr.. Carnegie's gift has been
legally accepted, the Schenley Park en-
trance has been acquired on the faith of
locating the central building there, the
money has been paid over and partly spent,
and other contracts made and rights ac-
,rued-all Of which makes it in fact I'M |
possible to return the gift, even though
everyone soberly desired it.
But the discussion has its value. Music |
Ind all the other artistic and scientific in
erests must in this country depend on the
of private wealth. ALI those
higher interests closely affect the 1appi-
less and the quality of manhood of the
7alue OF the product turned out BY his labor
md, thus, his rate OF wages. 1t is therefore
desirable for him to recognize and encou-
age, rather than to question and impede, |
he great practical benefits derived from |
>ublic donations, whether he thinks the |
money ill-gotten or not. If got through in
ustice to him. so much the better for him to ,
ave 1t given back.