The Irish standard., 1896-03-28


der those circumstances he fell into the
sulks, shook what little American dust
there was upon his heel from that inter-
esting section of his anatomy, and piung-
ed into what he is pleased to call journal
ism on the other side of the pond. No
other member Of that once Wealthlest
New York family ever manifested the
slightest inclination toward bathing In
the political pool. 1t has never been in
timated that any portion of che Astor es-
tate, at any time or under any conditions,
found its way into campaign funds. This
is accounted for by the nature of the AS
tor investments Real estate needs no
protection. Unlike corporations, it is
unaffected by changes in the law Taxes
are so much, no more, no less The old
man, with sagacity unequaled, put his
first earnings into real estate, and mark
ed out a program which his descendants,
in the fourth and fifth carnations, rigidly
is not reiigiously, adhere to.
Levi F. Morton is another.
es Brother MOrton's another, ana YET
how different. From his earliest days he
has been interested. although not always
active, in the politics Of the town in which
he lived. When his wealth was assured, SO
long ago as 1868. he organized ana assab-
lished great banking-houseS in London
L N.
Of the United States government and con-
tinuing as such until 1854. AT all times
he and his concerns We're among the most
active members Of lhe several syndlcates
negotiating the bonds Of the nation, pay
ing among other notable awards, that of
the Geneva concession OF Sli,3Oo, 6O0.and
the Halifax fishery award Of $55oo0o0.
Mr.. Morton's liberality in contribution and
the wisdom displayed by him in counsel
secured 70 him the appointment Of homo
rary commissioner to the Paris exposition
in 1873 He also served two terms in con-
eress, where ne made his mark as COM
nlitteeman of Intelligence, industry, eau
ton and patriotism. Had it 1iot been for
Roscoe Conklng and his imperial, not to
say, ilnpervious. advice, Mr. Morton would
have been president OF the United States
from the time Of Carfield's death. He had
declined the second place on the ticket,
as he also refused a cabinet portfolio dur
ing the Garfield regime. His services to
his party were such, however, that it was
an impossibllity to leave him out from
sensible distribution, and, when pressed
to go 70 Paris as the representative Of the
country, he consented, serving there four
years with distinction and an all-around
accountability that made q deep impression
not only upon his countrymen but upon the
government OF which he was credited. His
subsequent career. as vice president of the
nation and governor OF this state, is too
well known to be referred to save as an
illustration. What fate may have in store
for him who can tell?
AnCi now the Standard Oil.
Yesterdays papers told the story Of a
well-earned victory in Tarrytown, the re-
publican forces being led by John d.
Rockefeller, of the great oil organization.
The n?ultirllllionaires of that mammoth
conccr? have doubtless been subjected to
pressure by both POLITICAL parties, as all
great corporations are, hutm until now no
one Of them has in any sense been recog-
niHed in political circles as 4 personal fac
tor. The elder brother. William, is a
phenomenal investor in real eMate and
university funds. When it is rene1n bered
that he testified under oath some FEARS
ago that he couldn't tell within nine Or
ten millions of dollars how much he was
worth it may we'll be believed that if he
were to take an active and a financil in
terest in the peculiar politics Of 1896 he
could make himself felt, but he doesn't.
His brother John, who has scored the VIC
tory referred to- is known as an investor
in real estate and stock farms, but until
now he has manifested no interest what
ever in politics. Possibly this first blood
may whet his appetite and give him q. lust
for power. If SO it is TO be hoped he will
follow the example set by Brother Morton
rather than that by our English cousin.
-Astor. None of the other ':oil nlagnates"
trouble their heads with personal inter
ference in politics. F'lagler is doing his
best TO improve the Southern coast which
he punctuates with hotels Of oriental mag
nificence. Rogers varies the monotony of
his existence as a coupon cutter by ac-
ceptins the superintendency of roads in
his native village, Fairhayen Mass, a
township already indebted to his iiberality
and affectionate interest. Archibald.s
wings are pluming themselves for flight
in country clubs, Ohio dinners and judi
cjously horizoned charity. The others are
not particularly well known as yet. but
they will all get there in time. and Will
doubtless follow the example Of all the
out of touch with politics and politicians.
Come to think Of it. isn't it odd that none
Of our very rich men manifest q personal
interest in this realm Of endeavor. which,
in the last analysis, really interests them
personally more than any other?
Think it over. HOWARD.