Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-20
nlsrnI.lnrnns nroonn.
TWO noatha-A contrast.

Two Deaths-A Contrast.
A man died at Lakewood N. j., on
Sunday afternoon, and the event was
chronicled under glaring headlines in
most Of the newspapers Of the following
morning. The man was John A. Mccall,
formerly president Of the New York
Mutual Life Insurance Co.
In the news items telling Of this mans
death it is related that be died poor and
almost hoart-broken And yet he had,
during his life, risen from an humble
origin to q position of great prominence,
and amassed sufficient money TO place
himself In a condition OF aflluence Then,
why did he die "poor and heart-brokon ?"
Because he had abused his position Of
high trust and honor, and by the restora-
ton OF a large sum of the money entrusted
to his care which he had expended illegally
was reduced to comparative poverty.
Thus, his closing hours were shadowed
by the inheritance of distress which he
left to his family, and cmbittered by the
recollection Of trust betrayed.
How much of the consure recently
visited upon this man as a result Of the
revelations disclosed by an investigation
into the affairs OF the business concern Of
which he was the official head was de-
served and how much was undeserved, is
question for the future to determine.
But There can be no difference Of opinion
in relation to the gravity Of one Of his adj
mitted ofendings, the taking Of money
from the treasury Of the company and
contributing it TO the campaign funds Of
the Republican National Committee, in
several successive national campaigns
This was a wrong act, for which nothing
can be said in oxtenuation. As his ex-
pressed political opinions were in opposi-
iion TO those OF the political committee
which he thus favored, even the poor
excuse Of misdirected partisan enthusiasm
cannot be advanced In his behalf. The
purposes of these, and other political con-
tnhutions from the funds Of his company
which have been laid to his doing, were
bad and the acts in themselves were evil,
not TO say criminal
Tt is small wonder, therefore, that the
last hours Of this man were embittered by
the picture which fitted across his mental
vision. For they were pictures which
it was not pleasing to look upon.
A man died, also on Sunday afternoon.
at his summer home in Florida, and his
death was also recorded under glarinp
headlines in the newspapers of the follow
ing morning particularly those Of Phila-
delphia where his main home and his
business are located. But the glarinp
headlines and the reading matter beneath
them told a very different story.
This man was John PATTERSON Stetson
millionaire and philanthropist The sor
OF a humble halter in New Jersey, hs
learned the vocation Of his father, ano
upon attaining manhood set up for him.
self in Philadelphia His small begin
ming prospered, and the business grew I,
magnificent proportions giving him wealth
and distinction. AT present it employs
thousand hands, pays out none than mil
hon dollars year in wages, and turn
out products valued at over S3OOO.OOl
yearly.
No bitter recollections clouded tn
dying hours OF this man. On the con
trary, he looked back upon the record o
a busy and well-spent life. He had en-
ioyed the fruits Of bis industry and busi
ness sagacity, and had shared them witt
othen. He made the conditions Of If
pleasant for his employees and by a system
OF stock distribution made them share
holders in the business, thus adding l.
their earnings. He provided comfortabi
and enjoyable quarters for them to wor
in, with many conveniences that 20 I
mitigate the tedium Of daily toll. Hi
outside benevolences were large and b
was an earnest and practical worker
the church. Today, Thousands whor
he has aided by extending a helping han
win drop the tear Of sincere grief upon hi
grave and add the testimony Of SINGER
respect to his memory.
The lesson Of the contrast afforded b
these two lives should be an impressiy
one at this time, when the mad race f
wealth seems to take no heed Of the bar
rer that exist between right and wronl
but tramples them down with recklei
disregard Of consequences. But there
ono consequence that cannot be disn
gaIded-death and what comes after.