New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-08
THE EVIL OF EXTRAVAGANZA.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I always read the fifth page Of The Tribune
with interest and pleasure. and have found there
many helpful thoughts briefly and we'll expressed ;
but In the last paper, in the place where | always
look for something especially well said. found
article headed Extravaganza" which read through
with feeling Of growing dissent. II Is not my
design TO attempt TO rcfute this article, even TO
criici+' II, hut simply to state different point Of
view 1t may be better to spend larger I'm
i"Anry' thus supplying laborers with the means of
subsistence. than to hoard up money and 80 deny
TO workers the right to work: but there is still n.
better way OF employing wealth. SO long rs the use
OF wealth Is to BE- absolutely selfish. II makes diff
terence to the working woman whether she spends
month enbroldering dress for woman Of wealth
or In the same time makes twenty palmer dresses
for twenty poorer women. she works for her wages.
Put TO the world at large 1t makes a difference
whether on" person has the power and the inclina-
ton TO waste in luxury what would supply the ncces
stiles Of twenty. II makes a difference. too whether
labor Is employed in creating what Is useful, VIVA,
Is merely supcrnuous. what IS positively detrmen-
tai II many people employed In raising wheat
the workers in other kinds Of labor will I've able
secure larger share for themselves than II half the
farmers brcomc discouraged and go TO manufacturing
cosmetics "a business only too profitable at all times).
for the obviouS reason that there will BE- more wheat
I'm existence while II farmers and druggists leave
their mirl and their employment and go to making
mans share Of the wheat only by reducing the num-
Der Of CONSUMERS.
1t Is mistake then. 10 suppose that all employ
mcnt Is profitable. even when il Is well paid the
nature OF the thing produced signifies something in
the end. Nor Is II true that money does good simply
by being In circulation. 40 we'll might We say that
water does coed when II i poured upon the ground.
II Is only when water Is restrained and directed that
II turns mill and runs engines. Wealth is n. harm
nl as any other powerful agent unless It be guided
and controlled.
II Is true that II would not help matters 10 re
distribute the wealth Of the world according TO the
>oclalistic idea. The water wOnld only be- spilled
and the power wasted. II would make the poor
man no richer 10 ~" the rich poor him
self. ON the other hand. man has a right to say
Il Will do ~ pleas" with my own Though the
poor may BE- poor through their own vice and folly
We" Others, NOR" favored. must ask themselves who
i responsible for III" conditions which have made
The poor. the ignorant and the vicious what they
Though the rich may avail Themselves Of their advan
tages Of wealth and knowledge 10 -vade legal
responsibilities. yet there t. accountability which
man e>oaIs-the accountability To himsIf
and to his Maker
Tn. earnest friend Of the poor. the faithful advo-
cate Of ihO," who have word tO tell their own
story mean John Ruskin-says In the closing para
in IN" future innocent and exquisite: luxury for
all and by Ia" help of al but luxury at present can
only le ENJOYED ly the ignorant n. crisllc,t man
living could not Ill Al his feast unless he blind
fold RUTH WILLIAMS
Albion. y. y, May /. 1893.