New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-08

demand solution IN the Olu Noiiu IL thd'
=, dealing with the ever-increasing number
:, INDECENT members of the arstocracy. II
- difficulty which the people of the
,-rited States have not yet been called upon 10
49, and vet which is bound in course of time
- arise. since no patriotic American would rest
O. asv in the knowledge that men bearing the
Games OF those who have contributed to illustrate
49, most glorious pages of your history were
,oapced 10 such poverty as TO be forced to beg
,se,r bread In Europe the problem has reached
- acute stage. During the past two or three
ra,erations the rising tide of democracy has
suent away the hereditary privileges and pre-
..ra,,ves Of the aristocracy with such rapidly
Nat the members Of the latter have not yet had
.,r,e 70 fashion their methods of existence TO the
..u order Of things. If, formerly. trade. com
".orce industry and .he learned professions such
- those Of physician. architect. engineer etc.
,.ora regarded as derogatory to the members OF
.he blue-booded caste on the other hand there
rsre certain callings such those Of officers OF
,hs army. the navy and Of the diplomatic service
,.,,ch were reserved exclusively for their use,
.e,ng barred to persons Of bourgeois origin Th1s
.xc,usiveness has now been abolished and while
.ons Of the people are crowding the aristocracy
Az, % the services above mentioned to such an
tan. that one Of the crack regiments of British
,ralrv Is now known as the Trades Union.
'~.,rc ~ the number of the sons Of wholesale
"a retau merchants by whom II is commanded,
49, h.lcd classes are both by training and caste
.o,,dice az vet unified to compete successfully
tb their social interiors in the great race for lie
.,a subsistence The consequence is that they
-.u IN large numbers by the wayside and remain
..,ordent upon the charity Of some chance
s.,oritan to rescue them from the gutter, or
worse
an led 70 make these remarks by the re-
..,,, from, Vienna Of q very curious pamphlet,
.Do annearance Of which has caused great SEN
cation there and which is at the present moment
.,a a,Iabsorbing topic Of discussion. 1t Is enti-
.,oa oThe Social Problem Of the Aristocracy'
and It's Solution" and although its author de-
string 10 preserve his anonymity. has requested
-. N refrain from any mention Of his name,
70, NAV saw that he is a prince OF one OF the
,rost illustrious houses Of the Austrian aristoc-
racv. and that he has squandered the whole OF
h,s once large fortune upon the turf. Notwith-
standing his recklessness in money matters, he is
far from being a fool. On the contrary, he Is
man os much brilliancy and he certainly dis
n,avs a considerable amount Of ingenuity In the
solution which he proposes for the problem aris-
ing from the existence of thousands Of cases
analogous to his own-the cases OF aristocrats
burdened with illustrious names who are penni-
less. either through their own fault or through
that Of others and who have no reputable means
Of earning a livelihood.
Prince T advances the very sensible argument
that II Is not only matter Of duty, but also OF
policy for the wealthy members Of the aristoc-
racy to provide for their impoverished relatives
and for the pauper members Of their caste, in
stead OF leaving that care TO others. Each grade
OF the social system has its proletariat. and the
aristocracy Is no exception to the rule. Pros
porous actors look after their less fortunate COM
rades and have founded and maintain end OF
charitable institutions for them. and the same
esprit du corps is TO be found in almost every
calling In life. Why should this not be also the
case with the aristocracy? They have certainly
Infinitely more cause TO do than any other
class For at the moment when the very exist
.nce Of the arstocracy as an integral part Of
@e social system is so seriously menaced by the
growth Of democracy, 1t is surely Of the utmost
Importance to It's members TO endeavor by every
means In their power 10 maintain its prestige
IND popular consideration Each one who comes to
gief brings discredit not only upon himself alone.
but likewise upon his entire caste. the honor of
each one being the honor of the whole class and
when any aristocrat exposes himself to popular
ooloquy he brings down the latter not only upon
himself but upon all his fellows as we'll. II is.
therefore, imperative that those who have met
with misfortune or who are reduced to want
should be rendered advice and assistance by the
more prosperous members Of the nobility before
they are driven by starvation and despair to
resort to not only questionable but downright
criminal methods Of subsistence
This assistance. according to Prince T., should
take the form of charitable foundation organ
'led and maintained. not at the expense of the
government in Bavaria but at that OF the
wealthy members Of the nobility. II would fur
nish pecunary assistance for those in distress.
asylums for the sick and aged and suitable and
remunerative occupations for those young and
healthy enough TO work Thus. penniess Cont
essei Unmarried countesses) might find profit
able and pleasant means Of livelihood as COM
panions to rich princesses. while pauper barons
would secure congenial employment as the fac
Tors" estate stewards OF land agents of million
are counts
In pursuance OF these ideas, Prince T. has ad-
90 members of the old aristocracy in Austria.
hungary and Germany, containing the following
queries
First-How much money are you disposed to
subscribe toward foundation for impoverished
MOBILES?
second-Have you any house or castle that you
could place at the disposal Of the institution
lot use as homes for the aged and the sick?
Third-Can you offer employment either in con-
hection with your household or with the admins
uaton or your estates to any impoverished
ars'ocrats anxious to make themselves useful,
etc. etc?
Inc replies already received by the Prince sur
pass MS most sanguine expectations. So gener-
GUS mas been the response to his circulars that
committee, consisting Of several of the most in
huential. wealthy and grandest members Of the
austrian nobility. has already been constituted
lot the purpose Of putting the project into exc
euuon and applying thereto the subscriptions
ana Offers Of assistance already received.
Although no mention is made thereof in the