The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-06-16

F1N-6N Il
promote science and religion and thus
reflect honor upon themselves and uoon
their alma mater
TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH RANTGAN
A pleasing event not marked on the
programme then occurred. The audi
ence had noticed during the exercises
large picture on an easel and covered
with an American flag. At the conclu-
SION OF the tribute paid to the cardinal
when his brief remarks were concluded
the flag was removed and the l,indl1,
face OF the late Joseph Banigan. the
founder Of the chair of DoliticaI
economy at the university, was dis
closed. Rector COnaty arose stimuli
taneously with the unwilling and adj
dressing Cardinal Gibbons said:
1t Is my duty TO ask your eminence
as chancellor Of the university to ac-
cept as the gift of Mrs. James r. Sui
Ivan Of Providence, r. l., the portrait
OF her distinguished father, the late
Joseph Banigan, the founder of the
chair Of political economy in this uni
Nerslty. With grateful acknowledge
ment / wish to recognize the kindness
which prompts this gift. and | ask
That II be assigned a place among the
iliusuious men and women whose por-
traits decorate the walls of our uni
versitv. TO remind all who visit our
hans OF the generosity by which the
work Of Catholic higher education has
been lnaugurated and maintained. The
name of Joseph Banigan is sacred to
the cause of charity and education A
young Irish LAD of six years, he came
to America in 1S45. Meager opportuni-
ties were offered him for education. as
at nine years of age we find him at
work, soon to be apprenticed to the
trade OF jeweler, which he learned His
powers of observation were remark
able, and his genius for the develop
ment of new processes soon led him
into the discovery of a means for
Vulcanizing rubber, which laid the
foundation of the immense fortune
which he accumulated. He had
marvellous power of organization and
a brilliant executive ability, which
were the sources of the success which
resulted in the title Of rubber king, by
which he was known in the world of
business
Self education which was the re-
suit Of close observation and attention
TO detail made him familiar with every
part Of the immense business which
his genius developed. His contact with I
men brought out the tremendous re- /
sources of his native ability, and he |
was recognized not only as a prince in /
business methods. but also q man OF |
very general culture. Men wondered !
at his successes in every field of mer- |
camille endeavOT. Men respected his |
judgment and sought his advice. His !
name was synonymous with success, it /
was also synonymous with charity.
charitable and religious /
work found in him a generous friend. +
No charity appealed to him in vain.
II was said at the time of his death
that he was publicly known to have
over a million dollars in
charity. God alone knows how much
more, for the poor lost in him their
best friend. The homes instituted and
by him are memorials of his
great Catholic heart, which saw in the
poor a child Of God and a brother of
Christ. He became interested in the
which he considered, as he
told me himself. the greatest work of
the church in our generation. His en-
dowment of the chair Of political
arose from his desire to have
the correct principles Of the church
enter into our political life. He felt the
need Of books. and he began, two and
q half years before his death, the en-
1Owment Of the library of our lay
schools. He promised $4,000 a year
until the fund would reach $4,000. He
was honored by our holy father, Leo
Kill and he bears on his breat the
medal Of the knights of st. Gregory,
which constituted him a member of the
immediate body guard of his holiness.
he died July 2S 1898, martyr to his
devotion to business.
We are proud of the sturdy Catholic
aith which gave motive to his life and
He was fearless in de-
wrong and entirely without
ealousy in his relations with others.
"a. regarded wealth as a gift from
I0d. to be used for the benefit of
and he practiced what he
believed. He was our friend, and we
owed and respected him. He was our
Denefactor. and we honor him. His eX-
mple will remain to point TO his life
8 a model of success through business
integrity. A simple faith was ms
,lessing and he valued his Cathollcity
more than his immense wealth. May
lis memory be ever cherished in our ;
as the memory of cain s
lie who loved his church, his race and {
lis country, and used his wealth 10
enefit mankind.
Cardinal Gibbons held an impromptu
eception in the corridor after the eX-
rcises and hundreds paid their hon. !
&c to him. .
Geo. G. Doyle the Plumber, located
t 211 State street, has just received a /
Vii