The Portland daily press., 1899-08-16
Ex-CITIzES AsrOR.
Psstllent journalism scores Another
Success.
(Brcoslyn Eagle. }

William Waldorf Aston has become a
citIzen of Great Britain He has lived
nine years In that country. The. differ
encs between citizen and n resident is
thar between voter and uon-voter.
Mr.. Astor's Income Is derived from New
York property, and will continue to be so
Tbat property Is taxed under New York
law and will continue to be so. The care
Of his property in New York win con-
tinue to give employment to several hum
dred men.
He was born in New York, In 1913.
His education was received from private
tutors and at the Columbia Law Sohool
Late in the seventies he was electsd to
the Assembly of the state, for single
term Of year, and then to the state SEN
ate fer term Of two years. on the Re-
publican ticket. He was nominated for
Congress, by the same party, against Kos
well z. Flower, Democrat, who was elect
ed. Mi. Aston, because OF his great
wealth, was expected to srend great
deal OF money in the campaign. and re-
fused to do SO, while MIR. Flower. who
was not expected to spend very much. did
spend ereat deal. President Arthur
subsequently appointed MIR. a stor to be
United states minister to Italy. His term
expired In 1885
In the Legislature Mr.. Astor was in
dustrious, modeft and silent. did excellent
oommittee work, voted steadily with his
raity, made no speeches and was re-
specteu iy members of all parties. He
lived In Albany In a rented house, for
which he pali under 81, goo session, ami
maintained himself thers In a condition
not half SO snowy as that exhibited by
many men of much cosrser hber and
muc lsss wealth. In Rome MIR. Aston
lived In mcrs state but far within his
means. though up to the standard MAIN
tained by tine ambassadors OF England
ami Germany. While thsre he published
a novel or two which rose above medioo-
rity and fell below genius, and which
were gratifying proof that one OF the
richest men in the world found pleasure
In intellectual studies md challenged
attention in the field of intellectual effort
happily married to loving wife and
the father of devoted children, MIR. Astor
seemed to be hopefully embarked on a
career Of usefulness and Of moderate dis
tinetion.
In 1885 Mr.. Astor resumed his residence
in New XoIk. A blatant yellow paper
not many months afterward paid ''char-
acteristio" attention to some OF the very
rich men of the United States lt ealcu-
lated their income by the second, minute.
hour, day, week, month and year. 1t
had or would have, when IL became Of
age. 1t published what purported t.
be pictures of 1.-THE children Of the rich. ("
That was followed by speculation on the
possibilities Of tbs dangers Of the abiuct-
ion OF the children; how easily 1t could
be accomplished and the sum that could
be probably securel In the form Of
ransom money for them from agonizei
parents. This grewscme work lasted for
years.
10 - - AZ
who was Miss Paul of Philadelphia.
broke down under 1t. Sleeping or waking
she was hllei with the apprehension that
her childen were stolen, or oertaiuly
woIli be. Her physician said sne must
go to a country where that sort of thing
was Impossible, or, at least, did not pre-
vail. Mr.. Astor finally moved to King.
land; there his wife did not long survive
the effect Of the shocks which she had
received In this country. Since he went
to England he has been, as occasion has
offered, the subject of the same c0ulpiI-
mentary illusions in yellow journalism
here that were nnde TO him before his
departure.
A permanent change has not surpris-
ingly occurred in the character and
temper of the man. lie seems to have
become estrar ged from his native land,
and while he retains many friendships
here, he has lost the disposition to expose
himself to the forms Of personal attack
which had for their pretext the mere sum
of his wealth and which numbered among
their victories the unhappiness of his
children AID the death CT his wife. In
England, whatever be the inferiority of
institutions or citizenship to those here,
no journalism can indulge in such forms
of destructive deviltry. We do not pre-
sumo that MIR. Astor has escaped the
Sharm and security which law and Gus
tom throw around the rights OF privacy
In Great Britain, nor do we presume that
the comfort OF life, as organized thsre,
especially for men OF wealth has been lost
upon him. Nor can the conclusion be
avoidsi that he he's confounded the
Iuffia nism CT journalism here with all
journalism and the antics OF its moral
me nsters with the conduct of the con-
trollers OF newspapers in general. In this
he has erred. But by this the acerbity
of his temper and the soornful character
of his writings and of his attitude toward
American interests and life can be ex-
plained.
We would parallel no citizenship else
where with that of the United States.
Our Institutions stand for more manhood
and for more opportunity than any other.
Not only has the individual here more
chance. but property itself Is rs secure
here as in any other land. Personal
rights, however, personal comforts and |
person al privacy nre not so fecure or go |
respected here as elsewhere. That is why |
not few Americans of great wealth pre- |
fer to live .abroad, while many Ameri |
cans, not OF great wealth but devotsd TO |
literature and art, prefer to do the same.
They may not expect to Escape attack |
upon their motive, but as the attacks are
never brought to their notice, their dis
comfort is not very great. The cheap
and nasty ways OF accounting for MIR. |
Astor's expatriation abound today and |
may long continue But the facts which |
account for It, and which account for |
the character change In himself as we'll. |
should not be lost sight of and are, we |
think. nos without significance or re-
proaoh.