The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-08-31
MONEY AND MFAMY
By Ex--City Official

Unused, secreted or banked it is
wogthl"ss-it must be kept in circula-
tiOn 10 be useful. t is a vehicle-
a medium OF exchange, the dollar be-
ng the unit of computation in all
commercial transactions, small or
great. Without money, nothing of
Importance could be successfully con-
ducted. Many institutions, charita-
bic, educational and Religious, have
lhIg"red, dwindled and died, for the
want of money. Many noted and not
able Institutions have been given life
endowed, and literally and literally
conducted by the contributions of
money donated by men who had an
over abundance of this commodity
How they acquired it has no place in
this article. We have noticed, how
ever. as we may state in passing, that
a majority of the big uns'' who have
contributed so literally in the endow-
ment of libraries, educational and
charitable institutions, seem to regard
God as Il being who can be worked
on the percentage plan, to-wit, they
acquired all they have through un-
just and illegal combinations, by rob-
bihg the producers, who are mostly,
III" ultimate consumers, and then,
through fear of eternal consequences,
and the advice of cowardly sky pilots,
dcnate. as Il conscience fund, small
percent of their criminal holdtngs to
some institution in order. to placate
God and ease tortured conscience
viii it work? Does that comply with
your idea of the ''fathcrhood of God
and the universal brotherhood OF
man?
"a CT n,.tn to OF Il
Of the power of money in the cause
of evil. The daily papers give you
"a glowing account. frequently, of
what is being done by the goddess.
hell-fearing percentage plan barons of
high finance and big business to do
minimum good with wealth acquired
through maximum evil, and thereby
as they fondly believe, save their
dirty souls. Unuuestionably money
honestly gotten by good men is used
1or and is accomplishing great good.
This is true in Charleston. beyond
question. But when blaclih earted
s"onndrels of Stanford White variety
use their money to disrupt homes. de-
I'LL" goodness and destroy the innoc-
enc. and virtue of girlhood. money is
a curse. We speak of Stanford White
as the shining light of brilliance and
lcrh"rouSness. He occupied an cXalt-
ed position in art. science. business
"ld society. He had climbed the
ladder of fame and reached the apex
Of earthly ambition. The urge of in
spiration and the native power of
genius had given him power to over
ride All obstacles and weaker men and
rid" triumphant to the top. Yet. be-
meath the glory and glitter of earth-
hon Of ND n a
ur@" of eavc.l-given genius, was the
somhre blackness of devil-guided
and h"ll-inspired desire to debauch
strihood. destroy sweet innocence and
send down the road to everlasting
rum young girls whom he would en-
tee into his lair, and with wine and
Ha'"ry. drugs and cajolery, accom-
push their nndoing. their eternal de-
s'ruCtiou. This done. he would cast
item off rs n worn glove and select
another victim. What of the girl who
went INTO his den to examine his
"radorful works of art with which
Il" VAS wonderfully blessed? In an
e'!I moment. after being ecstatically
entertained by this prince of libertines
ana delightful entertainers. she sip
ped winc-and-she was started hell
ward on the slippery toboggan of Fate
WI ON" death enough for TINS con-
Su"w1t" william to die? His apolog-
le'S say. But look who killed him.
We'll look. then look again. He was
hth"l lay one of his ilk, one of his
hIni 10y one who so far as his in
'''i"'' would permit followed the
III" and example of the most exalted
al" 'Dnstrous litertines of the ase
Nh'' nor" fittilg than that this cN
lIt|. rn1 chp,111 hn f(
"N'"N 'A" innocent girls he had sem
|.''.' OH the road to eternal night
''f.'t Ihaw is where he should be
'"' 0' LID a righteous act. when ht
.'.'''''4 this monumental Scoundre
lob "'S sphere of pernicious activity
81" Story Of Stamford White is b,
.' '""'Hs exceptional, except as it re
'''- in tn" towering genius of th'
.'"- Ne have in the city of Charles
.'- Hh" OF the best cities in th'
N''t- men Of the character of Stan
w 'll'". With the genius to ac
''''' money. who are close follower!
~. .."- III this particular line o
....' in'n who pose as leaders il
I'' politics. philanthropy. an
'' works generally. These insin
'''I"@ ana ineratiating wolves il
- riothing Will contribute liber
~ III helping poor and pretty youn
with ambitions to better cthei
--4-ion, in acquiring an education