The sun., 1901-03-17
Mr.. Carncgie's Magnificent GIFTS.

Mr.. CARSEolE's rapid succession OF
gifts. for public libraries chiefly. aggre-
eating millions OF dollars. indicates that
he spoke with entire sincerity when he
announced his purpose OF distributing
his great fortune for public purposes. on
the th'cry that "he who dies rich dies
disgraced." Having sold out his iron and
steel interests to huge combination IN
that industry he has occasion no longer
to use the two hundred or more millions
In money he possesses az capital for the
business. and OF course. so vast sum yield.
IN income which is far beyond his personal
needs. His fortune has become TO him
rather a burden than a blessing, for he
has no opportunity and no disposition to
use II simply a. a means OF power or a step
ping stone TO It, Probably hundredth
part Of 1t, even q two-hundretth part,
would be ample for his requirements.
II Will be observed that Mr. CARNEGis
ha, not adopted any OF the methods COM
monty suggested by phianthropIsts; 10y
Mr.. HEWITT. for instance. Except the
FIVE millions he has given for the benefit
OF the employees OF his Old iron and steel
foundries and shops. Mr.. CARNEdIE's giits
are for public Libraries and schools. hey
ara not 10 improve the tenements OF the
poor. their physical condition, That Ia
they arc for the intellectual improve
ment Of people rather than for their
material amelioration. and az he has begun
il seems likely that he will continue.
Doubtless, Mr. CARNEGIE. wisely and
with true philanthropy. fears to encourage
a spirit Of pauperism and to diminish the
self-reliance which lies at the basis OF char
aoter deserving respect, by making gifts
out OF his abundance which shall SAVIOR OF
mere charitable and eleemoaynary aid.
Not long ago we said TO Mr.. HEWITT thdt
II he should propose plan for getting rid
OF the evils Of human conditions which
commanded the approval % ju1cious
men. money sufficient = carry II out would
pDur in on him. The magnificent glfts
Of Mr.. CARNEGIE now confirm that proph-
ecy. but the form Of them indicates that
the plan proposed did not commend itself
10 Mr.. CARNEdIEs judgment His purpose
T. wholly to raise the intellectual equip
VI
can lift himself above the hardships of his
material circumstances.
question may arise In many minds
whether the mere provision OF libraries ~
books will conduce 10 that end. The great
masa OF books in popular demand are di-
vertinc and entertaining rather than sub
stantial literary food on which to build
and profitable employments, and develop
and strengthen character. technical
school such as that which Pittsburg expects
Mr.. CARNHGIE to endow IN that town with
twenty-five millions would better serve
such practical purposes Books are now
.o cheap, more especially the great Eng.lsh
literature on which copyrights have ex-
pired. that they can be- bought for about
the cost ~ car rides 7 o and from a circulating
or other library. AMI In the newspapers OF
| the present il wealth Of reading of the
| most substantial sort in THE SrN OF sun
dav. for Instance which Is obta!nable
FOR he cost OF "A single car ride.
| We do not mean in saying this TO crIti-
| cise Mr.. C,RNEGIE and the method which
! he has chosen for his almost unexampI"d
! beneractipns: but merely 10 suggest that
nothing il moro difficult than 10 decide
| how great sums Of money can he dispensed
in way surely and permanently con-
ducive to the public advantage. If, n
we have said, any practicable way Of get
! ting ria OF the sorrows and suGerings, tie
hardship, and irregularities Of society
bv means Of money can be devised, N
sensitive philanthropy Of this tim" will
pour ont the money In a volume 50 vast
that It will make even the splendid gifts
of Mr.. CARNEGIE seem relatively small