Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, MARCHE, 23, 1907. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8770, 23 March 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, MARCHE, 23, 1907. EDITORIAL NOTES

THE spectacle of a millionaire vainly trying to find some worthy object on which to disgorge his ill-gotten gains is one that must almost make tho angels weep. A short time ago Mr Rockefeller offered large sums of money to some of tho religious bodies in the United States, hut they refused his money on the ground that it was tainted. We are now inf ormed that he proposes to spend ten millions sterling on establishing unsectarian schools in China as a preliminary to an effort to Christianise the country. It is not easy to understand the working of the mind of a man like Mr Rockefeller, ;hut with the knowledge we possess of the methods of American journalism we prefer to suspend our Judgment rather than condemn the millionaire on the strength of what quite probably is an unfounded statement. It is not impossible that some enterprising journalist actually obtained an assurance from Mr Rockefeller that he meant to employ his money in the way described, but we have no reason for supposing that the oil magnate resembles George Washington in any respect, and even were lie habitually brutliful we must admit that he is quite justified in spinning yarns if by this means he can get rid cf tiresome interviewers. We confess wo have no sympathy with the theory that it is uuadvisable to accept gifts from Mr Rockefeller on the ground that his money is tainted. The idea that money can be tainted is a relic of mediaeval superstition. No one can for a moment seriously believe that the source from which money is obtained can make the slightest difference if it is used tor good purposes. Can anyone, for example, believe that in a hospital founded by Mr Rockefeller patients would not recover just as quickly, provided the medical staff was efficient, as in any public institution, of the same sort? Or are we to suppose that the dollar which the millionaire puts into the plate in church will partially counteract by its evil effects the good done by the offerings of honest men? There is no ground, either religious or scientific, for the belief in tainted money, and the sooner it is put aside with other old time superstitions the better for the world.

SO much opprobrium was heaped on Sir A. Swetteuliam, the Governor of Jamaica, for his letter to the American Admiral at the time of the earthquake tbafc.it is only fair that the other side of the question should bo put forward. On Return to England of tho Port Ki sK bon with Sir Alfred Jones and ti/** other British tourists, who were attending the

Agricultural Conference at the time when the earthquake occurred, it was possible to obtain the opinion of men who had met the Governor and were acquainted with his work. Sir Alfred Jones said the Governor was perfectly right in ordering the American troops back on board and added that there could not be a better man for the position than Sir A. Swettenham. Mr Hamm - Greenwood, M.P., remarked that it must never be forgotten that the whole black population of Jamaica abhor tho Americans and the American flag, because they stand for everything that is most wretched in the history of the African race. To consent to land armed American sailors would have been most provocative. “Every one on the spot will endorse what I

say about His Excellency, and every one who went through this valley of the shadow of death will take off his hat to Sir Alexander Swettenham for his magnificent personal example and splendid guidance of the people and control of his troops and police after tho catastrophe.” But for the unfortunate letter from the Governor to the Admiral no trouble would have arisen and it should bo a lesson not only to Governors but to every one small or great that sarcastic letters are always unwise. What seems a brilliant av 1 cutting epistle when it is written appu.'.r; iu quite a different light when ro-read iu cooler moments or after a night’s rest.