Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-29
A Study in Benevolence.

An article entitled "A Study in
Benevolence." contributed by w. T..
| Simonds to the last number of the Dial
presents in "A striking way some Stats
| tics of public gifts and requests in the
| United States during the year 1899. The
| figures that furnish the basis of the
| study were compiled by the editor of
| Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia. The
list Of bcnefactions is by no means
| complete. for il includes only gifts
amounting to five thousand dollars Oh
more made by private individuals; in
| stitutiOnal and governmental contribu-
| tons are not included. Yet the aggre-
gate OF the recorded donations for this
single year reaches the enormous sum
| Of $63. 900
Examination Of the list discloscs the
| significant fact that while the be
| quests Of sixty-scven persons are re-
| corded in the published list, the direct
gifts Of a hundred and forty. or more
| than twice as many, are mentioned.
| Evidently, more than ever before our
wealthy classes are distributing their
wealth while they live, rather than
| leaving their property to the uncer-
| tainties of an administered estate.
| Furthermore, while twenty-five per
cent of these bequests-those which
reach or surpass the 100000 mark
amount to $4,000, 600. twenty-six Of the
| direct gifts, similarly selected, aggrc-
gate s32 000, 600, or twice the former
sum-
Nearly half the total amount of the
gifts went to universities. colleges and
churches and missions came next. with
$709j,0 600 and hospitals and asylums
We're third. with $4G61 800 The gifts
to public libraries amounted to 81. 500
900. OF the amount last named more
than two-thirds were contributed by
one man. Andrew Carnegie, who gave
| 81, 1870 600. establishing or aiding seven
| teen new public libraries in thirteen
! different states.
1t is altogether probable that the ag-
gregatc of public donations during 1914
will exceed that of lNg. Mr.. Simonds
notes that Before half the year has ex-
pired, the gifts and bequcsts already
amount to nearly or quite $20.000,0p.
Washington University has received ad-
ditional gifts to the amount of S5.On0. 0DO;
the University of Chicago has come into
full possession of the millions secured by
the latest Rockefeller gift: Harvard Col
umbia. Vanderbilt, Washington ana Lee.
Yale, BOwdoin and Brown have all ben
Gifted Ivy generous donations: ana to this
list might be added the names of other
colleges, as well as of libraries anu art
museums similarly enriched. 1t is inter
esting to note that of these henefactionS
recorded during the five months just
passed. ninc-tcnths of the sums are Civ
en- outright by donors who are still liv-
ing to see their desires fulfilled, and to
take some satisfaction, doubtless, in OBJ
serving the goodly results of their mu-
nifCence.
The facts presented in this study fur
nish matter for comforting reflection.
1t is clear that people which gives with
so astounding liberality to charity and
education cannot be charged with exciu-
sive devotion to mcrcdntilistic aims The
reprOach of Sordid Commercialism so
often urged against the American peO-
pie must be somewhat qualified. The self
ish spirit Of commcrcialism may be to-
day as active and as pcrvasive as ever:
but there is developing side by side with
it noble spirit of altruism which may
be relied upon to modify and chasten its
manifestations. There is no country in
the world whore individuals are pursuing
wealth so strcnuously and at the same
time giving 1t so generously for the diff
fusion of culture. The future Of higher
civilization among such people is safe
-RoStOD TRANSCRIPT.