Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-01-22
SeIf-Made Men.

1t is curious fact that nearly all the success
full newspaper men in New York are what may
properly be called self-made. Henry j. Ray
mond, " ho made the Times, and was in the front
rank of journalism, worked himself up from the
lowest round of the ladder. In S43 be wrote
letters for the Cincinnati Chronicle, for which
he received $2 each. He made living at that
chiefly, by corresponding for out of town papers.
The Times would now sell for 81 ,250, 900. Hor-
ace Greeley strated the Tribune without capital.
IL is now one of the most valuable pieces OF
newspaper property here, and Greeley is still at
its head. The New York Tribune association
has, | understand, declared quarterly dividend
of thirty per cent. Its shares are worth 81 900
the par value of which is 81 900. The Herald
was started by James Gordon Bennett, his cap
ital being brains and industry. Bennett IS now
worth millions, and bis paper yields profit of
S40O, 900 per annum. Manton Marble took the
World as an experiment. He had no money, the
paper was not paying, but was aided by capital
lists. He built the paper, made it profitable,
and is now the sole proprietor; it yields hand
some income. Chafes A. Dana was for several
years managing editor of the Tribune. He was
subsequently, editor of the Chicago Republican,
but did not succeed. He came back to New
York, and in company with others bought the
Sun, which under bis management is already
great success. The circulation of the Sun on
January lst, 1862 was thirty-one thousands.
IL - no" Hlt1-tWO anu RTOHiuR Thp-
idly. The Sun is a two cent paper. The profits
ON circulation very small, of course, but II
gets plenty of advertisements at twenty-five to
fifty cents per line. The New York people ad-
vertise literally, and pay big prices Hence,
the Sun, which could not be published in Gin
cinnati, is here very profitable. Business men
believe in advertising, and to this, in large
part, is due the extraordinary growth of the
city The Messrs. Brooks of the Express, are
also self-made men. / believe they started the
Express, and are still managing it. | do not
know who started the Eseniag Post but W. C.
the beginning, at least for great many years
His capital was made up of brains. 1t is very
profitable paper The old propretors of the
Journal Of Commerce are dead. 1t pays largely.
Bonner, Of the Ledger, is worthy of remark in
this relation, although he does not run a daily
paper. He went into the Ledger from the case,
and now publishes one Of the most profitable
weekly papers in the world and competes sue
cessfully with Vanderbilt in the horse line.
Speaking of Vanderbilt reminds me that he laid
the foundation of his prosperity, He began on
brains, and now at ripe old age has his brains
in good order, and abont seventy millions in
money. But | have not space to go into this
class of selfmsde men. 1t is a fact, however,
that nearly all the wealthy men here made their
own fortunes, and therefore know how to keep
them but as it is generally in this city, rich
mems sons are of very little account; aud rich
mems sons-iD-law are usually of the same sort.
Therefore large fortunes rarely fall TO the third
generation. Society is still better for this. If
the descendants of the rich men of New York
should be as successful as their fathers few
would soon own the island.