The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
ANGLICIZED AMERICANS.
What They Find Abroad that They
Cannot Get at Home.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
wealthy citizen OF Syracuse, N. Y,
Maj. Alexander H. Davis. has gone to Eng
land with the avowed intention of becoming
a British subject. His reason for this
is that there is a larger measure of In
dividual freedom in England than here"
This statement has apparently surprised
several newspaper writer's, who stoutly
challenge its truth, and recite incidents
which show that persons have been pre-
vented in England from doing what is per-
mitted in the United States. Yet Major
Davis is absolutely right as far as he is
personally concerned. For q man of wealth
there is greater degree of personal lib
erty in the country which he proposes to
adopt. This question was very well pre-
sented by the late Matthew Arnold, who
found that the streets and roads in America
are abominably cut up by street railways,
to the great inconvenience OF those who
ride in carriages. He found that every
where in this country all questions of
public utility are decided in the interest
Of the common people and to the disad-
vantage of the rich. The street cars, be-
ing for the convenience OF persons OF small
incomes, are allowed TO run wherever the
interests Of the common people dictate.
is the main reason why so many Americans
OF wealth find life more agreeable in that
country. In England Ii is recognized by all,
including the common people, that the rich
should dominate in all matters of public
utility. The very laws of the land are
framed with the convenience and the COM
fort Of the rich in view. For a rich man.
therefore, England is to be preferred, un-
less he happen TO be In love with repub-
lican institutions. and to regard the SUI
premacy OF the common man or the con-
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just and desirable. Fortunately a very large
proportion of our men OF wealth have been
impregnated with the principle that the
wants and the sentiments OF the great body
of the people should be the first and chief
concern of lawmakers and they view with
out annoyance the cutting up OF favorite
drives for the service of those who do not
ride habitually in carriages. To most of
them the spectacle OF vast game preserves
for the rich along with a lack OF parks
for the majority, of thoroughfares pre-
served for carriages at the cost of great dis
comfort to the masses OF the people would
be fntolerable. Hence, with the means to
live In England under conditions more
favorable TO themselves, they continue TO
live in America and to rejoice in the spirit
or justice which prevails here.
There is not only a greater degree OF per-
sonal liberty for the rich in England, but
there is also Tor there has been until re-
cently) better opportunity for the rich TO
exercise political influence. Wealth Is
not only not an Obstacle in the way of po-
ntical preferment in Great Britain, but Oft
en- IL is the chief qualification OF successful
candidates for Office. Here. however. some
thing In addition 10 money is demanded OF
man, and he may even be rejected be-
cause of his wealth and I'm spite OF con-
siderable ability. Thus William Waldorf As
tor was defeated for Congress as a Re
publican candidate in a strong Republican
district. The rich man who is not deeply
attached 10 the institutions OF the United
States, but who prefers the consideration
which wealth receives in England, should
make IL a point 10 follow Mr. Astor's ex-
ample. as Major Davis has done. IL is more
| comfortable for himself that he should go,
| and decidedly better for his native land.