The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-04
THE COST OF HIGH SOCIETY.
One Must Have Wealth to Re Gin til
Sxyf,x,sS No,r Vo,I,


Swim" In New York.
A. c. Hall Of New York, writing to
the Baltimore American about THE
cost of high society" in the metropolis,
says:
Greater New York is very rich; It's
bankers are now loaning money in
London; its commerce last year ex-
ceeded that place and it is an newt
able result that the expenditure for So
cial purposes must keep pace with tine
constantly increasing wealth. T doubt
if there is any city on the globe that
could give such an exhibition of jew
els and other evidences of riches as
shown during the opening of the grand
opera season with Tannhauser last
week. A local paper, fond of such sta
tistics, carefully estimated that the
combined wealth seated in the tier of
boxes was more than $61 100000. Now
these fortunates We're in very small
minority toward the rest of the large
audience, who, while not multi-million-
aires. would be considered Croesuses
elsewhere. And all the wealthy We're
by means at the Metropolitan opera
house that night. Russell Sage, while
not typical example of the extrava-
CANT Gothamite, contented himself
with a box at the academy with the
pleasing assurance of possessing $70.-
UUU,UVU. MT. sage Is SOIL OF safety waive
here in the feeble attempt to place
Greater New York back where it s9as
a decade ago.
To be Sin the SWIM one must have
yacht, a stable with blooded stock,
and number of carriages (automo-
bles are more proper just now, how
ever), memberships in many clubs. a
summer residence, host of servants,
and number of other things that ag
o-l,,
stated in your editorial, 100000, is very
modest on such a basis, and would be
totally insufficient for a great many.
There is, of course, the other eX-
IRENE, but poverty does not lessen the
longing desire; it only seems to have
them become all the more determined.
1t is simply instinct with the native
New Workers. Those who eventually
better themselves often become the
most reckless in getting rid of their
money. What are luxuries elsewhere
have gradually become necessities here
with the masses, and no sacrifice is
often too great to obtain them. Per-
haps this condition is illogical, but it
| is So the high suicide rate has no ter
ror for the people whose state motto
| is Excelsior"
Then there is a new set, of the Chi
cago pork packer type and the like,
who are moving here. and endeavor-
ing to blind by the dazzle of their os-
] tentatious mode of living. But our
eyesight never becomes affected. Mere
| possession of money does not necessar-
lily rule the social system here even if
it is somewhat essential in the respect
that public opinion expects a degree
of display commensurate with the dig
nifty of the worlds second city. No
where are the arts and sciences better
| appreciated and practical encourage
| ment given to those who need it. 1t
is the literary and dramatic and ilu-
steal center, and nowhere is the un-
| known genius given greater welcome,
and, what's better assisted to the re-
alization of his ambitions, and for the
benefit of himself and the country at
large. So the possession of wealth
here is used for many other purposes
than mere entertainment