Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-06-21
Unsuccessful AtteBptto MAkeA Herald Reporter
too Drunk for Duty


from . Review 10 the nsW York Sunl
When first became familiar with the iG-
ternal arrangements of the Herdld, the per.
so nne Of the establishment consisted OF
Thomas P. KettelI, who wrote the money ar
ticles, for which Bennett obtained all the
credit; WIN. II. AttTec, the police aud city
reporter; a little jew named Lee, who at
tended the courts aud furnished the legal lu-
telligence; aud Frederick Hudson, who col
lecled the shlp news. KeItell was the best
financial editor OF bis day. lie was careful
10 bis facts, had q thorough knowledge OF the
subjects he was called upon 10 discuss, and
wrote In an accurate and precise style. HE
financial articles constituted one of the most
important features OF the paper. lie was the
originator Of the money column, which no
paper of any prctensiOns Is now without.
Attree was an incorrigible reprObate full
of ability OF q certain Kind, and an admira-
bic reporter That IL, he had the faculty OF
UIrnlng everything Into ridlcule that jumped
exactly with Bennett's humor. lie would at
tend a public gathering OF any kind, aud
give readable Interesting carcatuTe Of the
proceedings, interspersed with ludlcrOus
comments aud an amusing description Of In
Cidents aud circumstances that never o.
CARED. Bennett was always quaTTelllng
with Attree, stigmatlzing him win all sorts
of opprObiOus epithets, aud threatening to
discharge him but hls consummate auddclty
saved him.
When President Van Buren, visited the city
Ia the summer Of 1870 there was great
procession and parade. The Democrats turned
out In force, banners flying, music hlllng the
air, with every appliance calculated TO make
an impression On the people. Here was an OPP
pOTtunlty tOF the display of Attree's peculiar
talent, and II got nolsed about that the Her.
aid OF the following day was To conialn
full account Of the affair, with ludlcrous cuts
a Ill A.
sire among the Democrats 10 battle the
scheme. Aaron NanderpoOl, afterwards Judge
Of the Supreme Court, but then member Of
Congress, and known as the "klndeThOOk
Roarer," interested himself actively to pre-
vent the success Of the undertaking. He had
the assistance of William u. Maclay, then u
growing politician. As q preliminary step
they procured Attroc IN he piled with liquor
OF all sorts until he became utterly obllvlous
Of everything la progress. lie had the capac-
lty of d seasoned cusk, and lac devoted him
self faithfully TO take notes, after drinking
enough 10 have made any other reporter In
the city blind drunk. But he succumbed at
last, aud by the tune the performances were
over he was fast asleep IN Jones Second
Ward hotel, on Nassau street, The Demo
Crats were appTlsed Of the state OF affairs,
aud they plnmed Themselves upon having
thwATted n design which, II carried out ac-
cording To the original programme, would
not tal 10 nave damaging eHect on tue
party. About nine o'clock that night At
trees retreat was discovered, aud he was
taken around tO the Herald Office, on Am
street. roaring drunk, aud ~ wild aud I'M
managcble "a u COmanChe. But newspaper
men are full Of eXpedlCnts, AttrGe was
thoroughly drenched with cold water, and,
recovering his faculties partially, he was
placed on a lounge In the editorial room, an
iEpedltious pcuman procured, the notes
taken during the day read 10 AttTee, aud he
dictated u report OF the transactions Of the
day In capital style, and the Herald up
peared rather late on the following morn
Ing, with nearly u brOadside Of lelter-preas
devoted 10 the Democratic demonstration,
illustrated with the most ludicrOus caTica-
lures.
When Mr.. YauderpOOl was asked for an
explanation, his reply was that he had never
before known so much good liquor expended
with so poor result