New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-12
THE BARNARD FUND.

The Henry Barnard fund, to which The Trib-
mo made editorial reference few days ago, is
making encouraging progress. nearly $1,000 hav-
ing already been subscribed by individual con
triburors Ii is designed as n testimonial TO DR..
Barnard of the appreciation Oh the part of his
fellow-ctizens not only in Connecticut. but in
all parts of the country. of his lifelong service
in the cause of common-school education 1t
was proposed by THE Hartford Courant' on
the failure of a resolution introduced in the Con-
necticut Legislature making an appropriation OF
81 900 in his behalf from the State treasury.
The resolution was defeated on the sole ground
that il established bad precedent which might
open the way to appropriations for less worthy
purposes or to the granting of pensions TO ON
cal persons upon their retirement from the pup
lie service. The action Of the Legislature was,
as The Tribune has said, both polite and wise.
and the movement for a popular subscription
which Immediately followed is rather a vindca-
ton of its wisdom than a reflection upon its
illiberallty.
The careless generosity of legislators with the
money Of tho taxpayers is prOverhial. II Is so
hard to resist appeals to the generous emotions
when one can respond to them and thereby
coddle himself with the satisfaction of having
contributed TO praseworthy object without de-
pe,ng his own purse. or course il is rot gen
crosby. on the contrary. II comes very near
being breach of trust, and IL certainly tends
10 the perniciOus and ruinous habit Of official
prodigaty than which there is no more pro-
life source of political corruption and social de-
mOrallzaton. The line between Justice and gen
crosby is not always easily deserted by the citi-
zen acting in his individual capacity. 1t Is per-
haps more difficult when he acts in represent
alive capacity for the State. But ii is always
safe for the representative to construe his func-
tions strictly and perhaps narrowly in transac-
tons involving public expenditure, even to the
repression of generous impulses. 1t is much
more becoming and in the end more satisfac-
tory. TO indulge the latter at personal sacrifice
than at public expense.
The readiness of the response made 10 the ap-
peal of 1.-THE Courant" in this instance shows
very clearly that, as rule, II Is better for
good cause to trust It's pecunary benefaction TO
the intelligent consideration and liberal DISPOSE
ton OF the people In their individual capacity
than to levy a tax in its behalf upon the com
munity as whole. Our people are generous
and large-hearted, and no appeal 10 their lib
crafty. their philanthropy or their sense OF graf
itude is ever made in vain. That is our boast,
and we have a right 10 be proud Of II. The
State on the other hand has no emotions: IL
cannot be generous; il must be Just. Besides
that individual giving. Ike the quality of mercy,
lis twice blest; ii blesseth him that gives and
him that takes" In this case the testimonial
to Dr. Barnard, growing, as il does, ont Of an
unmstakable sense Of grateful appreciation Of
his long and faithful public service. must be
much more gratifying 10 him than any aDDrO-
prIation from the State treasury could be. "The
Courant' has already received subscriptions TO
the fund from Washington and from this city,