The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-15
THE LATE Mr.. VANDERBILT.
MAN OF GOOD IMPULSES AND
HIGH CHARACTER.

waite, Enriched Institutions and
IndiViduaIs-He Was Exact in
Money Matters, Not Overly Acuuis-
tive and ReIigiOus-DispOsiti OF
the Vanderbilt WenIth-The Es-
tate's Value.
From the Philadelphia Press.
New York, Sept 12-Coruelius Wander
biit leaves behind him an estate I'M
matched by the possessions of any. OK
ceptng three or four citizens of New
York, and yet he is said to have left
something greater than that. Many
persons. IN speaking of his life and death
to-day, have quoted the Scriptures, say
ing that, "A good name is better than
riches" and there is no one who denies
Mr.. Vanderbilts title to that character
It may be truely said of him that at his
death, as during his life. he was free
from unkindy criticism, taunts of the
envious, the bitter maledctions of those
who have been unfortunate, since no
man ascribed any part of his misfor-
tunes to Mr.. Vanderbilt, and there have
been as kindly words for him from the
of the Central Railway, as have been ex-
pressed by those who are intimate friends
II is not now possible to recall another
man of great wealth, certainly none
whose name typlfes some of the mo-
mentous commercial undertakings of
this time, who has been privileged 20 re-
cejve nothing but kindly words. nothing
nf
even from those who profess TO detest so
ciety as il ia now constituted and 10 be-
iieve that no man has a right TO be richer
than any other man.
Escaped Criticism.
Mr. Vanderbilt shares with Miss Helen
Gould an unusual esteem from that ele-
ment of the community which is presum-
ed to be arrayed against the other ele-
ment, that possesses wealth. In all of the
severe criticisms that have been made by
that part of the press that denounces
plutocracy no mention has been made Of
Cornelius Vanderbilt, and it has often
been said that if very rich men used their
riches as he did and conducted them
selves in their public and private rela-
tons as was always his custom, much OF
the discomfort and envy that sometimes
dangerously prevail would disappear.
Mr. Vanderbilt. so far as the public saw
him here. was an transformations man.
and he did not affect a humility or sim
plicity which he did not really feel When
he was with or in the presence of the
great working, struggling, sometimes des-
perate part of the community, his manner
was that of plain, unassuming citizen
seeking no Standardization, presuming
not at all upon his wealth and the power
il gave him. and always recognizing scru-
pulously the rights of common humanity.
Therefore, New York never saw in him
any vulgar display. any straining for ef-
feet any assertion of superiority. on the
other hand, he was known to be one of
the most generous of men, and while fully
understanding the value of money, and
demanding always his just dues and equl-
ties, nevertheless he seemed to be free
from the passion of acquisitiveness and
to look upon wealth as a blessing only
through the opportunities that it gave for
comforting blessings.
In that circle where great wealth pre-
walls, into which he was necessarily fore
ed, he was ab,e to maintain a sumptu-
BUSINESS of life and of entertainment that
befitted his wealth, but he reserved
those displays only for that circle in
which others could return in kind the en-
tertainment and the luxury that were
characteristic of him. That is, he met
men and women in appropriate manner.
In the social world of which he was a
member he was a delightful and cultivat-
ed entertainer His taste did not run TO
sports and what is called high life, mean
ing by that the pursuit of exciting, vain
and trivial things, but he was very fond
OF music, of dancing, of the theater, be-
ing especially pleased with light comedy
in which there was no vulgarity. and he
also had cultivated an artistic sense that
made the collection of pictures a gratifi-
cation, and he was an admirer of fine
architecture.
In his office he met the subordiuates
from the chief to the humblest In exactly
the manner that was most gratifying to
all OF them. Without too great familiar
ity, he was, nevertheless, on pleasant
terms, and he suggested a sense of respect
for every man with whom he was brought
in contact. causing them all to feel that
Notwithstanding his wealth he believed
that there was a higher influence than
wealth could purchase that deserved the
utmost respect and that was the influ-
ence exerted by all the characteristic, In
telectual and moral, that make II worthy
manhood.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was as great an admirer
OF ability as his grandfather, but he also
had a profound esteem for moral quail
ties differing in that respect from the ia
nous commodore
His Religious Character.
Mr. Vanderbilt was also a man of deep
religious convictions. He was not of that
type so wittily described by a famous
lawyer Of this city, who are Christians
north of the city hall and something else
below it, but his principles influenced him
in every walk of life and all Of his as
socates were aware that they were abid-
ing and sincere. Therefore there never was
sheer or a hint of contempt when Mr..
Vanderbits association with some Of the
important philanthropies and church work
were spoken of.
No one accused him Of buying peace for
his conscience by contributing TO a church
mission or to one of the philanthropies
of this city. He took part in one of the
most important Of the railway deals made
during his active management of the
Central property and within an hour after
that deal was consummated he was pre-
pairing with his mother for a gift of half
a million for the establishment of what
has since proved 10 be one OF the finest
phianthropies and disguised charities in
this city, the st. Bartholomew's parish
home.
The problem Of doing good. of extending
aid without seeming to do that has been
very successfully worked out In that mis-
qion fts Influence Is ranidlv pfvflzfnn-