New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-09
THE GOOD WEALTH DOES.
NOTABLE ADDRESS BY SECRETARY
LYMAN j. GAGE.

nr1lvERED At THE DEDICATION OF THE
BRApLEy POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
N PEORIA. ILL. YEsTER-
DAY AFTERNOON.
Peoria H.. Oct. S.-The dedication OF the Bradley
Polytechnic Institute. 10 which Mrs Lydia Brad
lev OF Peoria. has given 5-,"oHu. took place this
afternoon. The building is hands me and spacious
and "a made Of white stone. Near bv is another
large edince OF the same material which Will be
used BIZ horoogical institute under the control Of
the same board OF trustees.
The most notable feature Of the programme was
the ded!catory address 10y Lyman J. Cage. Secre-
,erv OF the Treasury The institute was presented
10 the trustees by Mrs Bradley, ard accepted In
their behalf by their pres lent Oliver J. Bailey.
An address on behalf OF tho faculty was delivered
hy F E. Harper president Of the University Of
CHICAGO who : also president OF faculty OF the
Bradley Institute. Mr.. Gage had brief reception
q, the National Hotel After the exercises he and
Mrs Gage departed for Nashville. Tenn. The
greater part Of Mr. Cages speech follows.
MR. CAGES ADDRESS.
Mr. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen: The ooca-
sion which brings us together mere Is one 50 lofty
in IFS character 20 faY-rtachnE i is results. 10
merit the highest and noO.est qualities IN those who
participate N its dedicaory service 10 have been
invited take any part therein, however humble;
Is a most honorable dsilncton Inc launching OF
terest in all bcholders Visions OF hfc moi yet
lived with all rs po.siplil.s oil sIesS ana STORM
Joyous II pathetic interest 10 the scene The ded-
S snr0ju 70 cb S' With acna possibilities upon
the life and character Of ihany now living and
interest as deeply real completely absorbing.
The noble woman whose name h we d are mere 10
planned and executed wisely.
The period Of time in which. this endowment
time in our social development wnen all things
are chaLenged. and are TO be put under new eH-
long-received maxims OF politics. the taeOries OF
social and political economics. the inherited wisdom
origin and destiny OF man-each and all are called
10 make neW = me n29Te dos Of an
radically destructive OF iong-esta 5lshed opinion
are freely proclaimed. while whole brood OF pess.
the social state This affirmation is based upon the
ress the just rights of the many being sacr-
need to the unfair advantage Of the few.
poor are growing poorer. Wealth is teniing to con-
centrate into relatively fewer hands Invention is
displacing labor. The dependence Of the masses is
ION The climax is at hand"
II this were all true. If the facts alleged were
facts. INDEED things ought on. The climax
ought 10 be reached and that speedily. even II 1t
But the allegations are not true. they are con-
trary TO the natural order and at variance
Indeed they are impossible in free state OF soci
ETY. know they are iterated and reiterae ed In most
respectable quarters The press and the pulpit fire.
ouenily sound the doeful note. and belief in their
truth is taking dangerous hold OF the public mind
That such belief If not justified by truth. is most
pern.cious need not be affirmed IL af1irms Itself:
Tie public mind should be sane not hystcricai.
lies nor by pro;racted argument. the calamtous
propositions to which have referred
WHY CAPITAL MUST BE USEFUL.
Permit me 10 indulge in some considerations
which. IL no. conclusive in character may help US
10 suspect the validity Of the pessimistIc argu-
Inent. 1t must, however. DO admitted that many
cf,se ton
f. the popular opinion now 50 prevalent Never be.
fore fortunes o. such magnitude brought
under TIE ccntro OF limited groups Oh men, -SeNVr
before were corporate agencies cfeated ana on
dOwed with such enormous capital Never before
enterprises IN commerce ia manufacturing. in
transportation, - suCn magnitude Pun MO oP'ld
lion to affect. for good or III. the happiness ana
mus exercised the Imagination becomes affected
We become afraid. We grow hystcricaL We fail
10 take just account OF things.
Our fathers rode in stage coaches made their
slow and limited journey on horseback All the
nav a thousand locomotives. weighing each a hun
dred tons are flying the rails with hundreds Of
lind Around curves hey 20. over bridge. through
the forests alongside mountain precces al the rate
irresistible. the ron monster a. the head OF me
flying column leads the way Accustomed 10y use,
comfortable and uncOncorned. the passengers chat
with each other IN happy expectation o. speedy ana
safe arrival home. Way 50 unconcoTned, when the
malice Of one man or mOments neglect. or even
rib,ting m tbc~ s.fe,y NAV lead 70 Instant wreck
man who walks The tr4ck the driver who Sits in
he cab The train disDstrbcr a hunGrf1 miles away
Mt whose Geographic command the train proceeds
or waits, will each he prompt. intelligent and faith
This snaTaniv tfey have "' nj tbs oniy The
guaranty OF selfnterest which enforces the exercise
Of all these qualities upon every from the
president o. the great corporation down 10 the man
VINO supplies OIL 70 the boxes where the axles run
condition OF success 10 the associated capital en-
bodied in the road.
The same law operates with mandatory power
upon associated capital in all the forms Of in
dustral action. whether the association be small
Or great. Capital must do service or It dies. The
new and unfamiliar forms In which We see II CO.
ordnatcd alarm US. We see It's Power; We forget
ne law Of rs lie And yet 1t IS held out to Us
,hs capital al Is iyTannea and ,hat i
has passed into an adage that there IS only one
bigger coward than slGoQ0o and that is twice as
pig coward namely Ny'vN 10 we need evil
oence or this fact? The history Of the last four
change in the standard by which capital is ex,
Eessed and counted II sought safety IN retreat and
every avenue for safe and profitable employment.
WHAT MILLIONAIREs HAVE DONE.
But It Is affirmed that If capital itself T. innocu
ous. Or even II II be desirable. it is dangerous TO the
State for any considerable portion OF 1t to fall
uhder tho control Of one man. What may be re-
sarded as a dangerous portion IS measured by
varying standards The with 900 or $1,000.
honestly acquired. feels comfortable assurance
slat ne IS useful member Of the State. aud we
snl@gs not inconpatible Win righteousncss but
$3.50 ne suspects. and 81 100000 he draws the
COW ana ~ general consensus Of opinion We have
Wsss 20 d!strust. ~ not to nate the millionaire.
IA ~, tney are worthy 70 be feared, their number
mo, appalling
new ~. with q newspaper rclish for something
" tne way Of information for the people. The
The Lux Tribune Instituted q careful canvass over
''rn,l,mm..ise country 20 ascertain the number OF
persons aS BE, !, dseoyered total Of o47 SUCH
work. .Vsat made this comment IN relation 10 It's
when this ZONE ,r, q The men reported year ago.
r---e cls1 since then and their es,ates have been