Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-12-18
The Rsna IIsa 81 -MeaItIl.
Charles BFoqs Rostss Sags The
lfSllioadiFe Is Not tie 5Eoss
INeM YorIs aIaiI sc sxpEess i

INew York Man and Express
Mr.. Charles Broadway Ronss, the
millionaire merchant, is quite as pro-
nounced in his opinions as heiis3vig-
orops in the expression of theIns AT
ter the receipt of an unusually large
proportion of begging letters in his
mail he said to Mail and Epress
reporter:
1t is mistaken idea that the man
OF wealth is exempt from tile ankle
ties, cares, trials and tribulations to
which one of limited means is sub
iected; that life to him is an unceas-
ing round of pleasures; that no obli-
cations rest upon him except by his
own volition, and that his sole mis-
sion nsltfe is to distribute his pos
sessions among those who allege q
necessity for them.
If this estimate Of the rich man
were correct, how enyiable would be
his condition; what avenues of unin-
terrupted enjoyment would be opened
to him, and how free he would be to
dispose of time and money as his
tastes andinclinations prompted In
point of fact, however, the rich man,
in some respects, is more to be COM
miserated than envied. He is the
prey of that horde of harpies who
toll not, neither do they spin, yet
who claim that the world owes them
a living. These beggars are the con-
stant, nntiring and unscrupnlous de-
stroyers of the rich mans peace and
comfort. They exhaust human i'm
genuity in devfsing schemes to de-
plete his purse. They make speeious
and moving appeals to the softer ele-
ments of his nature. They draw
such piteous pictures of suffering and
want as to induce mistaken and un-
deserved charity. They are pertina-
cious in their demands and impor-
tune him at all hours of the day aud
night. They are devoid of all sense
of delicacy and decency, and do not
hesitate toyiolate the sancity of his
home circle. They are human
wolves.
Is LnABLR 10 ERR.
"In the muIticiplicity of appeals
made to him the rich man is liable to
errors of judgement in responding.
In his desire to assist the deserving
he sometimes unwittingly gives 70
the unworthy, and these charitable
mistakes always urge the latter to
moro active exertions in their pursuit
of prey.
I" The rich man has delicate and
difficult role in life, and, suffering
from the perplcxities that always
surround him, is 1t to be wondered
at that he is in doubt at times wheth-
er his wealth is a burden or bless
ing?
Mr.. Rouss relates an interesting
incident in connection with an appeal
for money for very deserving pur-
pose. A solicitor came to him for
subscription for an inebriate asylum
that it was proposed to erect. He
had proper credentials and talked to
the point. His list showed subscrip-
tions from good citizens. ranging in
amount from S10to $3.50. Mr.. Rouss
was favorably Impressed and sub
scribed 81 900. He said to the so-
licitor, 81 make my contribution
larger than the others, not only be-
cause approve of the building of
the arylum, but for the additional
reason that wish to set an example
that will induce liberality on the part
of my fellow-citizens.
Yes, replied the solicitor. "a
good example=exercises a good intiu-
ence," and quietly exhibiting a por-
ton of his subscription list that Mr..
Rouss had not seen, he showed that
Mrs. "A. Il. Stewart had given
%, 600.
Mr.. Rouss is of the opinion that if
some means were devised by which
the ricn man could be assured of tho
proper disposition Of his gifts the
amount expended in charity would
be doubled by public spirited citizens
of New York.