Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-30

L
of any crime, and that he should be
deemed innocent until shown guilty.
Therefore, many Of the criticisms
which have been made against Mr..
Rockefeller in this connection, and
| many of the protests raised against
| the acceptance of his gifts are against
the law and against Christian charity
and against common sense.
But even if it is true that the money
is "tainted,' as is charged, who is then
| to determine that 1t shall not be ac-
| cepted and used to carry on good
work? Who is TO say what money is
| tainted" and what is clean? Per-
haps this particular 100000 which Mr.
Rockefeller offered the missionary
board, did not come from the profits of
the much abused oil trust at all, but
| from some other investment, against
which no public cutlery has been made
or could well he made. Are not those
who object to the acceptance Of this
sum somewhat inconsistent in their
objection? No doubt this missionary
| society and most other religious or
| CARNATIONS in the country accept
daily and put to good use money which
is more plainly and deeply tainted
than this offered by Mr.. Rockefeller,
whose prominence makes this gift con-
| spicuous. And why should they not
90 so? There are many who believe
that 1.-The altar sanctifeth the gift"
and that money from whatever source.
becomes good when put TO good use Tor
the benefit of humanity. Moreover
there is distinction to be made be-
tween soliciting aid from a question
able source and the acceptance of 1t
when coming unsolicited anG uncon-
ditional.
1t does not appear that Mr.. Rookie
Teller, in making his offer of 100000
imposed any conditions or restrictions
upon the missionary board. He did
not ask this body to become an apollo
gist for his financial methods or to
| place Il bust or picture of himself in its
| headquarters. He does not need add
| vertising and does not seek prOmi-
nence. He is not so foolish as
| to think he can buy salvation by these
| gifts, or by the many larger gifts
which he has already made to educa-
| tional and religious Institutions. He
knows that the worth of gift lies
| in it's sacrifice, and it is no sacrifice
for him to give 100000 or score Of
| gifts like it. He knows that the
| Widows mite can buy more salvation
than all of his millions. Perhaps he
thinks that there should be such a
thing as a conscience fund in the So
| cial system supplied by men whose
wealth weighs heavily upon them. In
any case, not only Mr.. Rockefeller's
part in the transaction. but those who
may be benefited by the legitimate use
of his money should also be consid-
cred.
A sensible view of such matters is
taken by Rev. G. w. Hinckley, the
founder and head of Good viii Farm
one Of the noblest philanthropic insti-
tutions in our country. In speaking
with a representative of the journal,
a few days ago, he told of gift of $50
which he once received from a New
York man, of whom he had never
! heard before. Upon visiting New York
some time later, he called upon this
. gentleman for the purpose of thanking
him for the gift. The gentleman, who
was prosperous business man, re-
ceived him kindly and then said. Il
; think l will tell you the story of now l
happened to send you that check. l
made wager of $50 with a friend of
mine and when I won check for
the amount was placed in my hands.
asked him what use 1 had better
that send it to the institution of
which You are the head. and this is
how you happened to get the gift from
me. So you see you have accepted
money won by gambling"
WELL replied Mr.. Hinckley. "the
. money you sent has been used to buy
. food for those who were hungry, school
books for children who were without
them, and clothing for those who came
to me in rags. However you gained
, the money which you gave me, l have
. tried to put it to good use and will
gladly receive and use more under the
same conditions
. In telling the story to the Journal
J Mr.. Hinckley said that he had re-
ceiyed and used a great many sums of
money for his work and it never had
bothered him whether or not the
: money was tainted" "If a brewer
or a notorious gambler should send