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DECEMBER 13, 1907
The Commoner.
9
B6-.
THE BENNETT FOUNTAIN
The following is a report of the speeches
made at the dedication of the Bennett fountain
at New Havon, CJonn., November 29, 1907. The
audience was estimated at ten thousand, and
prominent citizens occupied seats upon the plat
form. Mayor Studley introduced Mr. Blake,
chairman of the park board, who said:
Mr. Bryan: The late Philo S. Bennett by
his last will and testament, among numerous
other philanthropic bequests gave "to the park
commission o the city of New Haven the sum
of $10,000 to be expended by them in the -erection
of a drinking fountain at the southeast cor
ner of New Haven green to be known as the
Bennett Fountain." In April, 1905, you as his
executor, paid over that bequest to the park
commission increased by $181.78 accrued in
terest, but diminished by $800 legacy taxes in
the states of New York and Connecticut; the
sum actually paid being $9,381.78.
The park commissioners believing that Mr.
Bennett intended to have $10,000 expended on
the fountain invested the sum received in inter
est bearing securities until it should accumu
late to that amount. One year ago that result
was attained and the commissioners thereupon
after considering several designs for the foun
tain which had been offered selected the one
prepared by Prof. John F. Weir, an artist of
distinction and head of the art school of Yale
university, and contracted with him to erect
the fountain at a cost equal to the amount of
the fund. Since then "Professor Weir has de
voted himself to the work with extreme inter
est and assiduity and the result is tho beautiful
structure which you see before you.
The design is based on the celebrated mon
ument to Lysicrates, which was erected in
Athens about 335 B. C, and which still stands,
regarded by all connoisseurs as one of the most
tasteful and pleasing productions of ancient
Greek art. Some changes from the original
have been made by Professor Weir in order to
adapt the structure to its use as a public foun
tain, but these have not impaired its classic
grace and have distinctly enhanced its beauty.
The material is Vermont marble carefully
selected with reference to its weather resisting
qualities and massively combined for indefinite
durability. The work has been to Professor
Weir one of love and pride and public spirit,
and it is due to him to add that he has so far
exceeded the requirements of his contract that
he has entirely sacrificed his own pecuniary com
pensation. The duty imposed upon the Now Haven
park commissioners having now been accom
plished it has only remained for them to make
this report of their doings to you as Mr. Ben
nett's executor and now to place in your charge
the completed structure to be disposed of ac
cording to his weir known purpose.
May it stand as long as its Athenian proto
type; a beautiful ornament to the city of New
Haven; a blessing to countless millions, and
an appropriate memorial to the overflowing
beneficence of itg donor.
MR. BRYAN'S SPEECH
Mr. Bryan, after formally t rning over the
fountain to the mayor, said:
I appreciate the honor done me by tho
mayor of the city and the park commission in
inviting me to deliver the address at the dedi
cation of the fountain presented to this city by
the late Philo Sherman Bennett.
While my position as executor of his ast
will and testament makes it not inappropriate
that I should participate on this occasion, inti
mate acquaintance enables me to draw some
lesson from his career.
He was a typical business man; I may say
even more, he was an ideal business man. His
life work represented not only what is neces
sary to business success, but what is best in
a business life. . . .
The adornment of a city is a work in which
the public spirited citizens can play a large part.
The city by taxation paves its streets, erects its
....uii v.n,nnfra nnd nrovides for those things
that are a necessary part of the city's life, bu
there is a zone outside or me neceasaur ."
in which may be placed me unnga imn,
jki on hA fnrnishinc of things desj
things that will, beautify the city and add to the
'' comfort and convenience ui uie iiwjik, ..
to the individual an opportunity to give endur
ing form to his taste and to oxpross his good
will.
Public gifts imply In tho giver tho ability
to give and tho disposition to give, and Philo
Sherman Bennett combined these two essentials.
Beginning life a poor boy ho journeyed
slowly but surely toward financial Independence
exemplifying those traits of charActer and those
habits which aro not only necessary to buccobb,
but which can scarcely fall to win success.
Ho was of distinguished ancestry, a de
scendant of Governor Eaton and related by blood
to the great family which has given Its name
to your university. In his veins ran the blood
of the Shermans and the Bennetts and yet bo
modest was ho that 1 doubt if his most intimate
friends over heard him speak of tho illustrious
names connected with his family t,reo.
He recognized that ancestral greatness could
not supply him with tho neccssaVIcs of life or
relieve him from the duty of being himself ono
of the world's toilers.
Yes, he began life a poor boy, but poverty
is not always a disadvantage, If, in fact, it Is
a disadvantage at all. A few years ago a group
of prominent business men were relating their
experiences, and one after another told how
he had commenced with a few dollars and made
a fortune by his own efforts. Finally it came tho
turn of th1 last of the group and ho said: "I
have had a harder time than any of you. I
was born rich and in spite of that fact I have
made a success in life," and there was truth In
the remark.
My father once expressed to me a similar
opinion when he said that there were two ends
to the horn and that if ono commenced at the
small end ho might come out at-tho large end,
but that If he commenced at tho large end ho
was quite likely to come out at the small end.
Poverty furnishes a discipline which can
scarcely be found In any other condition not
a poverty which makes one destitute, but a pov
erty which furnishes a stimulance and spur,
to endeavor.
Mr. Bennett was industrious. "Seeth thou
a man diligent In business? Ho shall stand be
fore kings," said Solomon and the years that havo
passed since he spoke have not altered the rule.
No one can hope to make progress in any
sphere of activity who does not apply himself
patiently, persistently and laboriously to his
work.
Mr. Bennett learned integrity when he was
young and throughout his life his sense of honor
and his honesty were conspicuous in all his acts.
Mr. Bennett possessed another virtue
self-denial. Ho was able to sacrifice the indul
gence of today that he might enjoy the amount
saved and the accumulated interest at a future
day. Without self-denial accumulation is Impos
sible. No one can make more than he can spend.
He can only lay up for the future, by resolving
to spend less than he makes no matter how small
his income, and this self-denial was not for him
self alone, but for others also.
Only those can expect security In old age,
who place a limit upon their expenditures In
earlier years, and only those can- hope to give
to others who are willing to deny themselves.
Thus advancing from office boy and errand
boy to salesman, and then to proprietorship, ho
secured for himself an independent fortune, for
while $300,000 may seem a mere pittance to
those who gamble on the stock exchange, It was
sufficient for all his needs and might well bo
sufficient to satisfy the desires of anyone.
Invested in two per cent government bonds
his fortune would' have given him $6,000 income,
more than senators and congressmen received
until recently and more than most of our gov
ernors now receive. Invested at five per cent
It would have brought him $15,000 more than
cabinet officers and supreme court judges re-
ceivc.
It was enough for him and all that he want
ed. Society is interested in the independence
6f the citizen society can afford to encourage
that economy which is necessary to place the
individual beyond the possibility of want for the
man who saves not only relieves the state from
a possible tax for his support, but furnishes an
example that Is useful to tne young.
But Mr. Bennett had more than the ability
to give, he had the disposition to be generous.
Many have made larger fortunes and at the end
found their hearts shrivelled rather than en
larged by their possession. We have had some
notable examples of those who have spent upon
themselves far mora than Mr. Bennett over made
anfl other who have llvod In tho rnldst of cry
ing needs and yot boon deaf to nil ontrcaty.
Tho fact that Mr. Bennett doalrad to sharo
hi fortuno with other wan duo to throe catisos.
First, he led a simple life; second, he recognized
hit obligation to society; third, hi synipathle
were broad enough to take In all mankind.
Ill taste wero not expansive. Ho did not
weaken his body with hitch priced food; ho
did not waste his wealth on costly uppnrol and
ho did not find It necowmry to spend all his time
In aimless travel to vary tho dull monotony of
a selfish life.
He and his wife traveled tho rond together,
enlarging tholr expenditure as their moan In
creased, but never Indulging In ihc habits or
dissipations that are sometime found among
the well-to-do. Ho was fortunate In choolng
in his youth a holpmate who nmltcd him In hi
plans and who shared hi Ideas of life.
Ho was conscious that while ho was a self
made man In tho sense In which that term Ih
generally usod ho was Indebted to other Oven
more than hlniBOir. From his parents he Inheri
ted physical strength and mental endowment,
from tho environment of his youth, and his nsso
(Continued on Page 12)
HHP.UHMCAX CAXDj OATHS
Tho republican national committee mot
In Washington during the flrBt week of Decem
ber. Tho committee selected Chicago, June 1C
as tho. time and place for holding tho republican
national convention for 1908. Washington dis
patches sa'y that tho contest for tho place was
between Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City
and Donvcr. Tho Washington correspondent for
tho New York World makes theso interesting
statements:
Immediately after tho call of tho comrnlttco
is issued district conventions for choosing dele
gates will begin In all states. A few will bo
hold In December, but most of them In February
and March. Tho assembling of congress on
December 2 started active political work In
behalf of various candidates. Tho situation to
day, as outlined for the World by a foremost
active manager of national politics, Is as follows:
President Roosevelt The uncertain quan
tity and still dominant figure on whom all others
must depend, but beginning to lone noma ot tho
overwhelming confidence of tho people which
he possessed. It is noticed that the president
no longer Is reiterating to all callers at tho
White House his statement of last election night
that he will not be a candidate again.
- Vice President Fairbanks Suffering from
ridicule of the cocktail story, but always kept In
consideration by politicians because there Is only
ono life between him and the presidency during
the next year, and that life la recklessly exposed
in hunting, jumping fences on horseback and
tempting inclement weather. If accident should
make Fairbanks president before the convention
he would become thereby the strongest individ
ual candidate for the nomination.
Secretary Taft Handicapped by the dom
inance of Roosevelt, being unable to speak for
himself or stand independently. Considered by
politicians to have less strength today than six
months ago. He inherits all of Roosevelt's ene
mies and none of tho president's personal pop
ularity. Governor Hughes Conceded by all tho
politicians to be assured of a solid delegation
from New York state and growing In popularity
throughout the country without seeking the sup
port of any man. His independent position and
absolute refusal to discuss or take any action
in politics make him tho most uncertain figure
in all reckonings. His stock has had the great
est percentage of increase during the past month
of all candidates.
Speaker Cannon His boom will be sprung
with the meeting of congress. Larger numbers
of congressmen arc expected to announce their
support of him, particularly those antagonistic
to the president. The session, they anticipate, will
prove a continuous promotion of his interests.
Senator Knox Silent and In the back
ground, assured of the Pennsylvania delegation,
and biding his time for a reaction against pres
ent agitations.
Secretary Cortelyou The dark horse, who
will not seek a single delegate nor announce
himself as a candidate, keeping clear of all other
booms and alliances. Will remain loyal to
Roosevelt, but hopes to be nominated as Gar
field was in 1880.
Every plan now made is subject to two un
certainties the action of President Roosevelt
and the financial condition of the country during
the next six months.
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