The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-02-25
WHY so FEW IRISH IN BUSINESS /?

1t has often been said in praise of
the Irish people in thiS country that
they become quickly Americ;lnizrd.
The assumption of the truth of this
statement carries with it both credit
and discredit to them. We hear it
said that the Irish no longer work i'm
the sewers and upon the streets, but
that that work is now being performed
by the Italians and other peoples
This is largely true, but is it neccs-
sarily an indication of advancement?
While in individual eases the Irish
have succeeded to an unusual degree
it is fact nevertheless that they are
to be found either high up in the pro-
fessions or away down among that
class which one would not call the
best of citizens. In the great cities
of this country the Irish are the lead
ers in the professions and in politics,
but in business they have made Il
sorry record. The names of those
prominent in the professional and
political life of the city of New York
names. but there are few indeed of
that class whose names adOrn the Win
dows along Broadway. The cold matf-
ematics of business do not appeal to
the Celtic nature. The Celtic ideal is
ambition in the extreme. In the COM
mon pursuits of life the Irish have
much to learn from other nationalities.
Their wocful lack of business capac
ity could be greatly remedied by talk
who for even longer centuries than
the Irish have suffered persecution.
the Jews. or all peoples in the world
they are the most wonderful, and it
is due to their persistent and obstinate
determination to succeed. 1t Is a
question today whether the Jews are
not rapidly taking the lead in almost
every line of cndeavor in the great
cities. AS vet the Irish remain at the
head in the professions and in politics,
but in business Of every kind; in the
institutions of higher learning: in the
fine arts: the jew is everywhere
among the first. 1t is Il matter Of re-
greet that SO few of such splendid
race as came to this country from Ire
land in the last half of the last cen
fury have taken a prominent place in
legitimate business, and it is Il matter
of further regret that so many of these
have allowed their names to be con-
nected with the omni-present corner
saloon. The observing Irishman who
walks along the streets Of our large
cities cannot help but have his at
tention attracted to the fact that a
large proportion of those engaged in
the liquor business are Irish, while a
very small proportion of those engaged
in other lines of business are Of that
race. We cannot accomplish anything
by being dishonest with ourselves.
A legitimate query is, why are there
not more Irishmen in legitimate bust
ness, and fewer in those lines Of bust
ness which are condemned by large
portion Of our people. We say this in
no spirit of criticism and not for the
purpose of preaching, but rather as an
expression of regret that the ability
which the Irish have exhibited in the
professions and in politics is not also
developed along the lines Of legitimate
business There may be and probably
is a radical explanation for the fact
The Irishman is, ordinarily, DESTROYS
of following life where there is IN
opportunity to display personality. The
professions and politics give these op'
portunities where there is ability suf
ficient to give success. But where
there is one who succeeds in these
: lines there pre- hundreds whose '''''