New-York tribune., 1900-12-09
THE PATRONAGE DEVICE.

The unauthorized use of influential names to
Oromote the success of artistic. literary or
charitable enterprises has recently evoked sharp
protests from several persons who have been
so treated. Occasionally, no doubt. an acci-
dental misunderstanding is honestly pleaded in
such case. and the incident is more or less
satisfactorily closed with an apology. But the
abuse complained of is real one which ought
to be abated and TO that end prompt exposure
and denunciation of every offence would be
suitable and probably effective. A deliberate
misappropriation of the sort is essentially both
impudent and fraudulent. though it may be con-
ceded that those who commit the wrong some
times fail TO comprehend its gravity. especially
when a benevolent purpose is seeking accom-
pllshment. The theory that all is fair in love
and war is mischievous enough as it stands, and
it is intOlerable that charity should be added TO
the list Of traditional immunties.
OF similar origin but far more prevalent
though much less immoral. is the habit which
4 multitude of persons have acquired of ask
ing friends, acquaintance and total strangers
TO become patrons and patronesses of all sorts
OF eleemosynary undertakings which they are
engaged in furthering UnQuestionably the
practical returns from this form OF appeal are
large. 1t is addressed without discrimination
TO the very rich. who are deemed a natural
prey, and who as a rule can be trusted TO verify
the common opinion; TO those whose notorious
benevolence makes them an easy mark: to
those who have been identified with the same
method already and have therefore established
a claim against themselves. and TO those who
are supposed 10 be silly enough 10 look for an
enhancement OF their social importance through
such a superficial contact with the circle they
long TO invade. Thus the money flows in for
solicitation of the name invariably means de-
signs upon the pocket, and IL a semblance OF
delicacy forbids an immediate accompaniment
OF tickets no doubt is ever permitted to exist
as TO the address at which tickets can and
should be procured without unnecessary delay
The simple elements OF cheerful calculation
may be stated as follows, n moderate scale
being purposely adopted. Number of patrons
and patronesses, 100; number Of tickets al
lotted to each. 5; price Of tickets, 81 apiece
The resultant sum y 81 900 is a hopeful start
even for an enterprise of considerable magni-
tude. and in most cases probably more than
makes up the deficiency which lack OF interest
on the part of the dear general public would
otherwise cause.
OF course. n great deal of generous zeal is
put into operations which ore promoted after
this fashion. and perhaps much practical good
results. though ii has to be admitted that there
is a large admixture of unwisdOm and selfish
ness in the mutifariOus activities which are in
discriminatory described as charitable. and that
they are too successfully employed to cover a
multitude of sins. But it Is to be hoped that
: the social patronage development has reached
I it's climax and VIII soon begin to decline. What
ever may he said in its defence it is not always
/ above suspicion Of duplcity, it tends rather to
! discourage than to foster true benevolence II
stimulates some vulgar propensItes. and it has
| come 10 he regarded as veritable nuisance by
! many Of the hest men and women in New-YOrk