The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-03-25
cARNEclE's MONUMENT.


returns have reached colossal figures
in this country, but fortunately, the
Pactolian streams do not all run in
one direction. Mr.. Andrew Carne.
gle has been one of the worlds great.
est accumulators, and he now seems
to be realizing the responsibilities of
wealth and has begun to dispense Or
distribute his possessions on prince
ly scale. Perhaps it is not just to
him to say that he has begun, because
the gifts that he had already bestowed
would make a number of good-sizcd
fortunes; but his latest benefaction
is of magnitude that throws into
the shade any of his former single
philanthropies and emphasizes more
than any other act of his has done his
views upon the ethics and responsible
tiles of great wealth.
He announces that he has but just
begun to give, though $5.OOO,0OO al
once will impress the public as q
pretty long advance step. 1t is fire.
quently more of problem to give ju
diciously than it is to acquire the
wherewithal to make the gifts. But
we do not think the public can rea
sonably criticise the object or objects
upon which he has bestowed this mag
nificent lump sum. 1t is at once q
recognition of need and of service
The class that has helped him to Sc
cure this great wealth are gratefully
and even gracefully recognized. They
are not made to regard themselves as
recipients of charity, but as sharers in
results which their industry and fidel
ity have helped to bring about. La
Dor, capital and business ability ara
the three legs of the stool, he tells
them. Neither is first. but all are
equally necessary. He has provided
literally for the physical needs 0f
those who are sick or injured or super
animated, or for their dependents,
and he has also made provision for
their entertainment and instruction.
In short, he has treated them like fel.
low-beings, realizing that success such
as has come tohim imposes obligations
too, that are not covered by mere per-
functory living up to the terms of la.
Dor contracts.
1t is said that corporations are with.
out souls. but 1t is gratifying to OBJ.
serve that the directing spirits in
some of these organizations are not
necessarily devoid of them. And
even corporations themselves some
times shows evidence of their posses
sion; as for instance the Pennsyl
vania road, which has established q
pension system for the retirement of
faithful employees who have been a
long time in its service. We may call
this humanity or enlightened selfish.
ness. which is the cornerstone Of all
economic success. The results are
the same. It is only unenlightened
selfshness which makes trouble for
society and the state.
Mr.. Carnegie has. achieved great
wealth. He has now chosen a wise
method to achieve solid distinction.
The mere accumulation of money has
never made anybody distinguished
The test comes in the use that is made
of the power which it confers and
this, we have already stated, is fire
quently the more difficult problem to
wisely solve. He has made a good
beginning, and we have his word fol
it, that it is only q beginning. But he
example is worth as much as the gifts
There are many other men gathering
in enormous fortunes. Mr.. Carne
gle is setting up measurements b.
which the public will henceforth esti
mate the possessors Of those fortunes