The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-10
MONEY.

~ ~ "
talk about tainted money. Scarcely
a month ago the Southern Methodist
Church, in general conference with
drew from support and control OF
Vanderbilt University, because the
courts held that the trustees Of the
college had no legal right to refuse a
bequest by n of the Vanderbilt
family. The Church, in Conference,
further determined to found another
UNCONVENTIONAL college to take the
place of Vanderbilt University.
Now, the membership of the Meth
odist church is no better and no
worse than the membership Of any
other church; and assuming what
may be an unjust assumption, that
the Vanderbilt money was not all
gotten in the straight and narrow
way, who is to judge Of the quality
of the money that the church will
raise by subscription to found the
new college? Is there a difference
between a small gift of ill-gntten
gain, and a large gift of ill-gotten
gain? In soliciting for this new in
stitution is it likely that only the
elect will be called on for contribu;
tions? If church contributions, in
any church, are held down to those
who have never oppressed the poor,
those who have never taken all the
profit obtainable in a trade, church
extension and church work would
soon languish for lack of funds.
Again, within the past fortnight,
the United States eliminated a pro,
vision in. the Agricultural bill which
allowed the use of funds given by
Mr.. Rockefeller, to be used through
government agents to eradicate the
boil weevil.
If MI. Rockefeller has made his
millions honestly, as his defenders
say he has, by applying improved
methods in extracting and transport
ing oil; and it is certain that despite
the increased consumption Of oil and
its by-products, kerosene is selling
cheaper than when Mr.. Rockefeller
was an unknown factor; then his
gift is a real charity, sane'and praise.
worthy.
If, considering Mr.. Rockefeller's
improved methods Of handling oil,
he has charged too much for his pro-
ducts, then the rural resident has
contributed too much to MI. Rookie
feller's wealth and he is entitled tC
reparation. In giving the farmer
the means to fight the boil weevil, q
pest that is a menace to the entire
South, Mr.. Rockefeller is only re-
turning the farmers money to him.
in such a way as to make it many
>times more valuable than what he
haslost. The farme-, then, is re-
ceiving his owl. Why not receive
it and use it to the best advantage?
1t seems that the proper test fol
the acceptance or rejection of a dona.
ton would be the purpose for which
it is offered.
If, asin the case of Carnegie libra.
ries in the South, a donation is made
that is at variance with the ideals OF
those to whom the gift is offered
this would be sufficient a for
rejecting the donation. For instance.
it is against Southern policy and con-
trary to Southern ideals to have the
white and colored races associate on
equal terms. For this reason, a do
nation from Mr.. Carnegie to estab.
lish a library in any Southern State,
with the usual provision that it shall
be open alike to all races, could not
reasonably be accepted. The idea is
repugnant to Southern ideals and
subv ersive of a policy that obtains
all over the South. But if MI. Car.
,negie sees fit to establish a library in
any Southern town, without often
sive conditions, there could be no
reasonable ground for refusing it.
1t may be that he has made his mil
lions by trust methods, but who has
it hurt? The railroads, a bigger and
a more grinding trust have been his
main customers. And who is there,
even in this small city, that would
not combine his business with other
similar concerns, if by so doing he
could double his profits?
We would not set up a defense for
trust and monopoly. They should
be held strictly to legitimate bust
ness. But if they have grown alb
normally wealthy, the fault is with
the law that has permitted unjust
combinations. This evil, Congress
is very properly taking in hand and
will undoubtedly remedy. In the
meantime if any of monopoly's pets
want to restore to the people their
ill-gotten gains, in the name of COM
mon sense let them do it.