The herald., 1895-11-27
THE CARNEGIE BRAND OF PHILANTHROPY

Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburc multi
millionaire, head OF the Homestead Iron
Works company, author of at least one
book, writer OF many newspaper articles,
ready speechmaker, and self-styled phil
anthroplst from the crown OF his head to
the ends of his toes, has ciapped the eli
max of his arduous labors in behalf Of
his less fortunate fellow men by his de-
mating to the city OF his home masniii-
cent building for free public library,
art gallery and museum. A few nights
ago the public dedication of the building
took place and 1t was a great occasion.
Mr.. Carnegie donated $1,000, 900 for the
building and he will also put up an en-
dowment fund OF 81, 000 coo more. The
institution will be equipped and main
tanned not by its founder, hut by the tax
payers OF Pittsburg, large percentage of
whom are wageworkers.
Ostensibly this grand enterprise was es-
tablished by Mr. Csrnegie's own money
and philanthropy. In reality the money
was earned by several thousand men and
women who were his EN- ployees. and by
hundreds OF thousands OF other workers
throughout the country who for years
have been systematically bled by an in
genious invention called a protective
tariff-an invention intended specially to
make CarneGies possible.
AT the dedication ceremonies Mr.. Car
negie was the hero Of the occasion, and
then and there he made the great speech
of his life. His address contained much
that is true and sensible, but much more
that is Enthusiastically indicative of the
cold, selfish. greedy spirit that controls
every fiber OF the mans nature. A few
OF the most striking utterances OF this
modern Croesus, who styles himself
philanthropist, furnish food for thought.
Early In his speech he deplores the fact
that i'll his younger days he haotually
made small contributions to charitable
purposes. and asks the audience to Tor
give him for such youthful indiscretions.
He eulogizes poverty in an Incidental
allusion TO such as are born to the best
heritage OF all-poyerty.
Ii poverty is really the best heritage
of all, y it may seem little strange that
the great philanthropi>t should have
made haste TO get rid of that heritage
himself. But this apparent inconsist-
encY is excusable when we remember
that in his efforts TO shuttle off the
blessed 'hcriiage OF poverty from his
own shoulders, he has been most sue
oessful instrument IN LISTENING that her
itage upon otacrs,
The great public benetactor disc0ursed
feelingly on ''the duties Of wealth. "
Under that head he said: ''Witb existing
industrial conditions, which we shall not
see changed, but which may be modified
in the course OF centuries TO come, sur.
plus wealth must sometimes flow into
the hands OF few"
Here is a brilliant outlook for the mil
lions OF struggling men and women who
are cursed by involuntary poverty, be-
cause OF existing industrial conditions,
and for whom and whose posterity no
permanent relief can come whrle sucn
an Industrial system continues. Surplus
wealth must sometimes flow into the
hand of few. -
Yes, it muse; and Mr.. Carnegie ia one
into the hands OF the few Simply be-
cause our laws and customs make pro-
vision for ust that kind OF Injustice
Real wealth producers get bare living,
while drcnes. spectators, misers, YAM
pires, sharks and montpelier, OF natural
resources feed, fatten, grow rich and in
s0lenJ on the earnings OF the masses IL
il the popular thing in this age for such
appropriations OF others earnings to occa-
ioDally make donation for public H.