The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-17

IN diameter. Looking into this arc the
main apartments OF the house, viz:
The Art Gallery s5x7o feet, the
Grand marble stairway (spir-
al and self snpporting) 50 feet in dia-
meter. the Banquet Hall 40x60 feet, the
Tapestry Gallery 10 feet in length, the
Concert Han 42x72 feet, with dome
GO feet in height, also containing
Grand organ. Resides these are num-
erous smaller apartments. The Up
per stories are divided into halls, FAM
lily apartments guest chambers, baths,
servants rooms, etc.
ANTIQUITIES.
This house contains, perhaps, the
finest collection of quaint historic old
furniture and old paintings in the
world, much of 1t being hundreds of
wears old and was purchased in Eu-
rope ut n great price. Guarding the
main entrance is a pair of huge old
lions. in marble, which are several
hundreds of years old and were
brought from Egypt, also several mar
bic fountains are to he seen upon the
premises brought from the old world
and which show the marks Of time and
bear Inscriptions showing them TO be
several centuries old
MR.. VANDERBILT"s MOTIVES.
The. question is being constantly
asked: What are Mr.. Nanderbilt's
motives for doing all this?" / would
answer that he simply chooses this
way of using his immense wealth as
being the best adapted to his tastes and
desires. While other millionaires are
using their wealth to Cypress human
ity. and viii soon pass away despised
and forgotten, this building will be a
monument to perpetuate his name for
centuries. And what is better than a
monument of stone, he is building a
monument of gratitude to himself in
the hearts of the thousands whom he
has given remunerative employment
during the past years of distress, and
by the great object lesson that he is
teaching our people in almost every
useful industry.
4 GRAND OBJECT LESSON.
We cannot. perhaps, tell OF the great
work he is doing better than through
the words of Mr.. Morton, Secretary of
our National Department of Agricul-
ture at Washington. Said he, ''Mr.
Vanderbilt employs more men, and
more experts than the whole depart
ment of Agriculture belonging to our
government, and the various depart
ments on his estate make far great
err object lesson to the American peo-
pie than does this Department"
Among the departments which are
scientifically carried on by Mr.. Van
derbilt are: Agriculture, Forestry,
Road-building, Manufacturing, Lum-
bering, Dairying, Poultry raising,
Horticulture, Arboriculture, Floricul-
ture, etc. He has large herds of
Thoroughbred animalA and has, it is
said. the finest collection of fowls in
America. lie makes elaborate exhib-
its of all kinds at the various fairs and
expositions.
Mr.. Charles McNalnee is the general
manager Of the estate, and the various
departments are under the care OF
experts. The forestry is managed by
DIR. Schenclx. noted German forester.
The roads are i'm charge of Mr.. Gall.
a Scotch expert. The dairy and cereals
in charge of Mr.. Weston, a. fine chemist
and trained expert in farming, The
propagating and truck gardens are in
charge of Mr.. Beadle, of Cornell Uni
yersity, etc.
Forcing houes are being erected,
which will place upon the markets
vegetables during the winter, and by
means of incnbators, 10000 chickens
will be placed upon the markets annu-
nually, while the fine herds of Jerseys
are now supplying large numbers with
rich milk, cream and pure creamery
butter.
Notwithstanding the malicious re-
ports OF certain newspaper fakirs, MIR.
Vanderbilt enjoys the utmost conf
dence and esteem Of our people, who
appreciate what he IL doing
for our country and for humanity. He
is a man with big heart and modest
bearing. He never talks for the press,
and he never announces his plans, ex-
cept to his experts, until he il ready to
execute them. 1t ifs believed ~ many
thoughtful persons that he has still
greater plans for the benefit Of hui
mainly which will be announced when
the work now in progress shall have
been completed.