The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-28

The Carnegie Gifts.

No one doubts that Andrew Carnegie is
a great phiianthropist, any more than
anyone doubts that he is the very great
est ironmaster ever born of woman. His
gifts are as grand and princely as they
are bibliomaniacal This is especially
true of his noble offer to the city Of New
York to provide the metropolis with six
ty-five branch library buildings. to cost
eighty thousand dollars each: in all. five
million two hundred thousand dollars.
The munihcence of the proposition is
not affected by the unimportant fact
that In some slight degree, 1t is condl-
tional. New York. or somebody, is to
furnish the sites which it can be readily
understood are not to be had for nothing:
and New York, or somebody, is to furnish
the books. in any event, the taxpayers
of the city are to provide fund for sal
aries, repairs. additions to the collections.
and care and maintenance generally. An
authoritative local estimate places the eX-
pense Of keeping the Carnegie libraries
open to the public at the annual income
from an invested capital of ten million
dollars and this does not take into ac-
count the first cost of sites and books.
What outlay these may require it would
be impossible as yet to say; but it is per
haps safe to assume that the amount
would not fan far short of the sum of the
original donation.
In addition to providing for these fcun-
dation necessities, Mr.. Carnegie. in the
cauny Lowiand generosity of his heart,
calls upon the people of New York to
match his gift with the assumption of a
burden which capitalized, might reach
proportions three times as great as the
boon itself; and yearly to pay out. ap-
proximateiy. three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars for the privilege of en-
joying its benefits. This sum in fifteen
years would little more than equal the
sum Of the splendid charity itself.
II is magnificent and soul inspiring
scheme, for which during all time the
good and benevolent Andrew Carnegie
would receive the credit. and his memory
be kept ever green in the hearts of mis-
bcneficiaries by substantial annual addi-
tions to their tax bills. Thus are multi
millionaire beuefactors able to impress
the taxpayer Of the period. 1t must have
been Scotchman from the vicinity Of
Skibo Castle who invented the co-opera-
tive fishing plan. by which he hired peo-
pie to fish for him on shares; they fur
nishine hook. line. pole, bob. sinker, and
bait, and receiving half of what they
caught in payment.
Wealrh-cOlossal wealth such as Mr.
Carnegie has-can do wonders. With It.
and enough of it. he could work miracles;
but without supplying the requisite capt.
tai ii would not be feasible for him to
make his sixty-five eighty thousand dol
lar buildings find themselves in sites,
books. and an income adequate TO the
support Of well regulated libraries. He
knows better than to attempt it. and so
he invites the national metropolis to pay
out double his donation in less than thirty
years; and TO begin business by making
an investment OF at least three or four
millions just 20 get a start and TO show
that there is no iIl-feeling. II was no
doubt an old lady in kits and trews. who.
consentinE that her daughter should take
a swim. instructed her to hang her maid
en- raiment upon the overhanging limb of
a hickory. but not 10 go near the water.
According to an ancient fable, persons
belonging TO that great race known as
the chosen people cannot make a living
in New Hampshire. On much the same
grounds we entertain a horrible suspicion
tina; a Maine Yankee would starve TO
death I'm Scotland