The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-15

IT is not known how large the estate
&c which Cornelius Vanderbilt left, but
it is roughly estimated to be between
500 900 900 and $3.50, 900. In some of the
sketches of his life and career the state
ment Is made that he was the richest
man in America 1t is worthy of notice
that not an unknd word, not a harsh ex-
pression of any kind appears in any OF
the sketches. 1t is a question whether
If is possible to name another of the very
rich men of this country that will be
dealt with as kindly in the public prints
in the notices of his death. Ard yet
Cornelius Vanderbilt was not a popular
man. He did not seek popularity, and he
was not before the public any more than
he could help The truth is, he was an
eminently just man. and he met public eX-
mediation in the matter of charity. That
explains probably why his death, while it
did not arouse profound sorrow anywhere
outside Of his family circle, called forth
many expressions of approval of the man.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was not an oppressor of
labor nor was he ever engaged, as far as
the public knows, in any schemes for rails
ing the prices Of the necessaries of life.
II is true that he was at the head of
a great railroad combination that is
continually growing bigger. Il might with
some propriety be called trust, because
it had practically monopoly of the tram
sportation business in large portion of
the country but 1t seemed to be under
stood that the traffic rates of the system
were never raised arbitrarily for the pur-
pose of squeezing the public when oppor-
tunities to do so were offered On the
contrary. as the business of the system has
increased there has been a reduction of
transportation rates.
The fact that Mr.. Vanderbilt was quiet
reserved and just man accounts probably
for his escape from the harsh criticism
during his life to which so many rich men
are subjected and for the kind words
which were said of him after his death.
A question in connection with Mr.. Van
derbilt's death is this: Is the possession
of such a large fortune as he left or even
a fortune much smaller. beneficial or hurt
full to the best interests of the country?
Notwithstanding the fact that the Wander
bnt fortune has been divided twice since
the death OF the founder of it, it is prob
able that the estate left by Cornelius Van
derbilt is larger than that left by his
father William H. Vanderbilt. and there
Is no doubt that il is a great deal larger
than that left by his grandfather, Cor
uelius Vanderbilt. In the case of the Van
derbilt family the old saying that in this
country it Is only three generations from
shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves has not held
good. If the fortune had been kept iu-
tact it would now amount TO an enormous
| sum-to hundreds of millions OF dollars.
| In the hands of an INSCRIPTIONS man the
possession of such fortune would be a
dangerous power. In the hands of up
right men great fortunes are not perhaps
| a menace 10 the country and society, but
even when held by such men they excite
discontent in the minds of the toiling and
wage-earning masses and efford dema-
| gogues am excuse for attacking those who
I are thrifty and successful.