The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-13
A JUDGES TIPS TO THE AsroRs.
Extravaganza in the Raising of Chill
dren Is Most Unwise.
From the New York World.

Roosevelt families on the manner OF
bringing up children which, while per-
haps not palatable TO James R. Roose-
Welt, first secretary of the United States
en- baseY in London, or TO John Jacob
AstOr, for whose especial benefit it was
intended, will be of decided interest TO
the public. The lecture grew out of an
application of MIR. Roosevelt to the su-
preme court for an order granting him
money for the education and maintenance
of his two infant children.
Helen Aston, the daughter of William
Astor, was married to MIR. Roosevelt on
Nov. Is, 1878. A short time before the
marriage her father put S400,00O in trust
for her with the United States Trust
Company. She was to have the income,
81, 900. for life. and at her death the
principal was to revert to her children.
Ten years later he gave the same trust
company further sum of $3.50, 900 to hold
for Mrs Roosevelt under conditions SINH
lar to those governing the first gift.
By the will of MIR. Astor, who died on
April 25, 1892, an additional trust of
$3.50, 600 was created for Mrs. Roosevelt,
and the house at No. 372 Fifth avenue
all these sources now amouts TO about
$4,000 year.
Mrs Roosevelt died in Ascot, England,
on Nov y, 1898. She left two children
James Roosevelt Roosevelt, born Aug %,
1879, and Helen Rebecca Roosevelt. born
Sept. IS, 1881. The boy is now at school
in Massachusetts at yearly expense of
$3.50, and the daughter has been with her
father in England.
When Mr.. Roosevelt applied to Justice
Patterson in the supreme court in Nay
last for a decision as to the amount
which should be allowed HIM as the
guardian of his children for their sup
port, the matter was sent to William G.
Davies as referee. Mr.. Davies agreed
that $50, 600 year would be a proper al
lowance. 1t had previously been stated
by Mr.. Roosevelt that his own income
was not sufficient to bring up the chill
dren as they had been accustomed to
live. Mr.. RoosevelG's income was shown
to be Sl5,000 a year. to which was added
his salary as secretary of embassy,
81, 600 more. This salary, he said, was
spent entirely on matters connected with
his Official positions. AS an instance, the
secretary said he had been obliged to
entertain the officers of the United
States cru iser Chicago and the ex-
penses had exceeded his salary for the
last six months. A large item of ex-
pense, he said, was the DOCTORS bills for
his daughter. She is delicate and has
undergone several operations.
On June 3 last, Mrs. Caroline Astor,
the grandmother of the children, wrote
to MIR Davies from London as follows:
The application of my son-in-law.
James r. Roosevelt, for an allowance of
$3.50 a year for the support and main
tenance of his two children during their
minority meets with my entire approba-
tion, and is approved also by all the mem
bers of my family. I sincerely trust that
this amount will be allowed him from
the large income which comes to the
children"
John Jacob -Astor. Mr.. Roosevelt s
brother-in-law, wrote to Mr.. Davies as
follows from Paris on June last.
"Personally, and as one of the trustees
of the Roosevelt children's estate, heart
lily approve of a $50, 900 per annum allow
ance to my brother-in-law for bringing up
his children. On account of the smallness
of his own income this amount seems to
me to be reasonable and necessary in or
der that they may live in a manner suita-
BILE to their condition in life, and as their
mother would have wished. I, therefore,
sincerely hope this application may be
granted
The referee says in his report that he
considered all the circumstances of the
case and relied largely on the statement
of John Jacob Astor. Mr.. Davies adds
that it would be unjust if in addition To
the berea vement the children have suf-
pecuniary circumstances, and a depriva-
tion of the comforts which were at their
disposal during their mothers lifetime
Judge Barrett wrote as follows yester-
day, on motion to confirm Mr.. Davies
report:
II know of no principle or precedent
that would Justify the court in wholly
confirming this report. The boy
is under Is years of age, the girl under ID.
One is at school in this country the other
is living in London with some of her faith
er's relatives. Their fathers household
is maintained not so much as home for
them, though they occasionally share its
comforts, as an establishment suita BILE for
his official station. The allowance asked,
$4,000, is something quite unheard of. 1t
is difficult tie conceive of any circum-
stances which would justify it. Such a
sum is certainly out of the question under
the present circumstances. The income
OF those infants is large, and that, of
course, should be considered. So, too,
should their worldly surroundings.
But can make no such precedent as
the granting of this application in its en-
tirety would involve. The income should
not be dissipated merely to accustom
those children TO luxury. When they are
of age they can do what they will with
their own. In the meantime they should
be habituated to prudence and modera-
tion, rather than to extravaganza and the
qualification Of every luxurious
desire. They should have every
thing in reason which their situa-
ton calls for; thoroughly good
education, maintenance and healthful
recreation, and, if necessary, the best of
medical service. When they are older
and their needs, social and otherwise, are
greater, the earlier allowance can be ju-
diciouly increased. A special application
can always be made to meet exceptional
circumstances. But at present there is
nothing which can properly call for so
extraordinary an allowance as $50, 900 per
annum
After careful consideration I have
come TO the conclusion that an allowance
of 81 500 per annum should cover every
proper expenditure for his or her com
Portable maintenance, thorough education,
healthful recreation and suitable enjoy
ment. In fact, / deem this allowance an
extreme exercise Of discretion. The re-
port will accordingly be made, and an
allowance made of $4,000 per annum for
both children"
THE VALUE OF GOOD ROADS.
What Bad Roads Cost the Farmers
Every Year