Fergus County argus., 1901-02-06
The MARCUS DAILY MEMORIAL FUND.

tblltEA q AAAfA ~ 'tN'A''a
a suitable memorial Of some kind for
the late Marcu, DAILY. Committeeman
have been appointed in and for each
county. whose function. we believe, is
TO solicit contributions for this pur-
pose.
We are opposed to this project, Not
that we intend any disrespcct to the
memory Of Mr. DAILY; he was by nature
a strong man. and al important factor
in the Development Of Montana. For
great many years he ruled portion of
this state with strong hand, and as
absolutely as any czar of the Russias
ever ruled any portion of his dominions.
In that part OF our commonwealth he
was an uncrowned king. In it no man
could prosper, and hardly exist, with
out his consent. He controlled the
lives and fortunes of thousands Of his
fellow beings lie laid the resources
OF nature under contribution, and de-
veloped vast industry, from which he
derived a colossal fortune. But the ac-
cumulation Of his millions involved not
only the mineral wealth stored in the
mountains for the common benefit If
mankind. but also the toll and skill and
lives of thousands of his less able and
less fortunate fcllowmen. Without
their assistance he could never have
amassed his vast fortune. To them he
owed debt which. so far as we know.
he has never recognized or attempted to
discharge. The mere payment of
wages, even good wages, and taxes,
even high taxes, is not a sufficient dis
charge Of the duty which the very rich
owe to the communities which have
made them rich above their fellows.
In any view higher than that OF
mere materialist, the possessor Of
riches holds them under the moral OBJ
legations Of trust. and is in duty
bound 50 as to employ his wealth as 10
promote the welfare Of his fellowmcn.
particularly Of those who have helped
him TO accumulate that wealth. This
trust. we repeat. can not DE fulfilled by
the payment of wBge~ and taxes
There is a further duty to the com
munity u Is in the nature Of the ex-
listing order Of thiugs. with which we
do not end fault that a comparatively
few men should accumulate and con
trol the surplus Of wealth which is the
result Of the labor Of mankind applied
10 the material resources Of nature.
Many men. perhaps most men. are not
gifted with the qualities which
would enable them 10 heap up
great fortunes. or the opportunity may
he lacking: but this fact j, not a
justification Of the very rich man
who regards his accumulation as abso-
lutely his to use as he WILL regardless
OF the common veal. No man can be-
come greatly rich without laying under
contribution the resources Of nature, or
the labor of his fellows, or both. The
commonwealth possesses an equitable
interest in the wealth OF its citizens,
and this fact is recognized by very
many possessors Of great riches. 1t is
more generally recognized today than
ever before. The present age affords
many examples Of rich men who look
upon themselves as trustees Of their
wealth for the benefit Of the commun-
ity. They have recognized this by the
endowment Of schools and universities,
hospitals, libraries and other institu-
tions of public advantage, and by con-
tributions TO public and private chari-
ties, and in many other ways.
Mr.. DAILY has done none Of these
things. He has acted as ifhis immense
fortune, created not alone by his own
great abilities, but by the gifts of ma
ture and the labor of his fellow men,
was absolutely his. lie has recognized
no claim of the community upon his
wealth. The vast fortune of fifty mil
lions which he left behind him contrib
utes nothing to the public burden or
public welfare, except the inheritance
tax.
This is not a sufficient discharge of
his obligations to the community from
which he drew his wealth. The COM
mand Of his fortune has been full COM