The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-05-14

Ike 80 cents de-
elared jenkins I'd buy the Waldorf
Astoria and make Il private residence
out OF it. I'd have yacht bigger than
the biggest ocean liner. Id have &
private train on every road in the coun-
ny. I'd buy the upper half Of the
state OF Maine and use it as 4 hunting
preserve. ia have bathrub big
enough to swim in and stableful OF
the fastest horses. There's lots OF 9th
er things that Ia DO, and you can bet
mat none OF them would put on more
style than Jenkins"
Il have DO doubt OF 1t" said the colo
mel dryly How would you use your
billion. judge?
Il do not believe that q man is en-
ttled To such an amount Of money u
any considerable part OF il" answere,.
Judge Sawyer. IF suddenly put into
possession Of 80 absurd a fortune
should attempt 70 ind those from
whom il was taken and make proper
restitution. II that We're not possible
ahOuId attempt to devise some way In
which 1t could be expended for the ben.
eft OF the greater number OF people
i sometimes think that Mr. Caruegie's
Plan is as good as any. The man who
eKpends money in an attempt to help
people read and think has done a real
service"
Il have a great deal OF admiration
fer Mr.. Carnegie" said Colonel Mon.
roe. and resent the slurs which are
directed against him. There is class
ef mis!'oualres who look on Mr.. Car.
aegie as tue most dangerous character
M ChristendOm. He Is the renegade
N the camp Of grab and hold He IS
hated because he is honest enough To
declare that the man who uses for.
tune for his exclusive benefit Is not
entitled to the respect Of bis fellows
and that 1t is a disgrace to die rich.
These are hard words coming from a
nan who has acquired S4UU. 900. 900 By
methods which have been recognized
rs honest. The influence Of the class
offended by Mr., Carnegie's remarks
and horrtded by his acts Is such that
i has become the fashion to speak
and write sneeringly OF his effort 10
devote his fortune to the public good
There is one objectionable ofYense
7Agaiust the money hog. You must
not hint that a limit should be placed
On his greed. II Mr. Carnegie were so
foolish as 10 wish TO give away the
millions he had earned. we'll and good
but why insult the feelings and sensi-
bslities Of those who wished to retain
AL they had and to grab all there was
Ieft;"
II suppose you would spend your
billion on library buildings" said
Jenkins in some disgust Il never
could SOC how a man could have any
fun that way"
Il agree with you. Judge Sawyer"
said the colonel. Ignoring the postmas-
Ter. No man should own a billion
dollars worth u property, and some
times doubt II any individual is Of
enough value to the state or communi-
Y to be permitted the possession Of a
million. No man ever earned that
amount Of money or rendered a serY.
- ~ " taa' ~ IL II a ldlI ENtllN dlFUL-
But We will not discuss that. When
ever the thought Of Mr. Carnegie
public benefactiOns comes 10 me can.
not help but think that with the rise
Of vast fortunes there has come a loss
q that sturdy self reliance and respect
which was once the proud and justl-
nable boast u the American people
4
would inspire such man as Mr.. Car.
Aegie 10 give away all but remnant
q his fortune, but should have thought
MAT there would have been more hest
ancy on the part Of communities In
accepting bis gifts. Instead Of any
Nch sentiment Of dlfHdence or hest
0ncT hundreds Of cities have author.
led representatives TO beg for his
bounty. \ self respecting communi.
y would az sDon ask stranger to nav
Dor the building of their roads "a for
Tie erection Of their libraries or places
Of education
IF man has honestly and fairly az.
quired certain amount Of wealth he 4,
Snder no financial Obligation to tie
community In which he lives or 10 htz
state or nation except to pay his share
into the common treasures In the form
Of taxation His relations 10 the public
are the same az 10 hls neighbor5. Those
whom be meets az equals do not solicit
aims from him. The man who needs
charity is to be pltled: the man WHO
accepts charity does 40 at the sacrifice
Of his self respect but the man who
asks for charity has forever surrcn
dered his claim to Independence. The
same is true u a community"
"But libraries and things Ike that
are different. It seems 10 ne" guyro+f.
ed Postmaster jenkins. "If man b,.t
got 30 much money he doesn't know
what to do with II and wants to give
Lncolnville library, let him give II
say. But wouldn't vote to accent an
engine house or city hall. for in.
stance. Those are necessities, and H.