The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-01
THE IDLE YOUNG MEN
Development of The Gentlemen Of
Leisure Class in New York.
THE SONS OF MlLLIONAIRES
How They Spend Their Days and
How Their Less Wealthy But
Equally Indolent Satellites
Initiate Them.
From the New York World.

I'm your country"
Indeed" says the young American
girl. her bright eyes flashing. Pray
tell me. what is your definition OF
gentleman"
"Oh. a fellow who has nothing to
do" complacently answers the British
err, and adds. "a fellow who strolls
about all day in the parks and streets;
a fellow who"
"Ah. | understand" interrupts the
girl. NO. we have no gentlemen in
our country. Such fellows are called
tramps."
such was the story that went the
rounds a few years since, but a change
has been wrought i'm these latter days.
and the fellows who stroll about all
day are considered mighty fine fell
lows at that
The growth of an idle class or rather
class which has much leisure time
is the natural outcome of condition
due TO the accumulation of Inherited
wealth. \ certain rich man once said
to his son: Money making is a talent
given to few, and IL is "A talent which
requires opportunity for successful
employment. / have the talent and l
have had the opportunity, and | am
rich. 1 do not think you have that
talent. If ! give you money to go into
business there are nine chances TO one
that you will lose your money and
nine more out OF ten that you viii
load yourself down with debt. there
fore IL will be cheaper for me to main
tain you in idleness. | will give you
$4,000 year as a bachelor. and n you
marry with my approval. $4,000"
Revolving as Il may at first seem TO
those who believe that labor adds TO
the dignity of men. this fathers view
of his sons future career is not with
out its basis of solid common sense.
Indeed. he is not alone the sharer OF
this belief Many fathers in this city
who have made their fortunes advise
their sons not to enter active business.
hut advise them to train the faculties
to keeping what they have, in view OF
better keeping what will have after
| their fathers death.
There are young men in this city
who receive from $4,000 to 1000 a
| year from their fathers, and at the
| close of each six months they are COM
PEELED to submit their books for revis-
| ion and criticism In some cases they
| are given outright a number OF securi-
| ties for the purpose OF changing them
simultaneously as opportunity affords
and by the handling Of these securi-
| ties and by their expenditure and in
vestment of income the father sees
whether his son is competent to han
die the fund which he will eventually
| inherit.
In addition to these there are men
| with small incomes who have a nat
| ural Discrimination either 10 labor or to
| embark in the periious adventures OF
| commerce. They never have thought
| of adding to their principal. and con-
| tent themselves I'm the endeavor to
make their small means stretch out to
| the limit of men with larger incomes
| These men grow sharp in small things
and ever have an eye open 10 add TO
| their incomes. Sometimes IL is by eK-
| ceiling in games or sports. and at 9TH
| ers by making small commissions.
Still another class Is composed OF
those who have no stated income.
| They are content to drift upon the
| tide. They reduce their living expenses
TO a minimum. and endeavor TO meet
| the fixed charges by making commits
sions by selling wines. cigars. insur-
ance horses; or. In fact, anything
| which presents itself as affording a
few dollars in commission.
These three ranks form the leisure
class, who, on fine mornings, are seen
| struttIng about Delmonico's. the Wal
dorf. the Knickerbocker. Union and
| Calumet clubs, brave in their clothes
and wearing huge buttonhole bou-
| quets. and in the evenings are found
at the clubs. theaters. the opera, and
later in the cafes. They may be seen
| driving T-carts and dog-carts In the
| afternoon or rushing off to dinners I'm
hansoms and coupes. Their lives are
seemingly round of pleasure.
1t Is worth ones while 10 closely
study this class as a condition OF So
| ciety.
First. the rich young men OF leisure.
men like Ray Miller, Palmer Haven.
/ Higgins and a dozen more They own
/ handsome estates. with stables ele-
gantly appointed. and yachts adapted
| for transatlantic cruising. In the for
mer case they are genrally ladies'
men" by which Is meant men fond Of
/ entertaining ladies. Various house
parties are made up during different
/ periods OF the year under the auspices
/ OF fashionable matrons. when riding.
| driving and hunting are the amuse-
ments. In the latter case the yachts
men seek among their club friends
| men OF their own social set. whom they
/ invite TO cruise on the Mediterranean
/ or around the world. Generally these
| guests are recruited from the second
| and third sets. who have small means
/ and ample time.
| Such men are sought for by mothers
| with eligible daughters. Invitations
/ for dinners. dance. ball and theater
/ flow in to them. and they accept this
/ OF that invitation. picking and choos-
/ ing. They appreciate all the attend
| ing circumstances and do not easily
/ fall into the matrimonial nets. their
| lives OF liberty are not easily given up.
| The men In the second rank reduce
/ life 10 a system. In the choice OF life
| they made. the Hfe itself becomes a
| vocation and their income Is practical
| Is the capital upon which they operate.
| Their aim and object IL 70 marry an
| heiress or a woman with her money in
/ her own right. and al the same time
| one In the same social set IL does
| not take a large income for a skillful
| operator 10 succeed
Such a man Is generally at the out
| set well connected and enjoys a good
/ position. He has always been careful
TO avoid a name for "fOOtlight favor