Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-12-07
Newspaper Management in New York.


fer to some OF a personal character.
For instance, the He,aid recently adver.
tlsed the auction of the Bennett con.
servatory at Fort Washington, The
contents of this establishment were of
much value to florists. For instance.
here is sage palm, mentioned as the
finest in the United States; also a half
dozen orange trees, score of finest
camelias, bouvardias, .jasmines, etc.
This is the first sale of the Bennett
property, and removes one of its pret
tiest features but the grounds are so
large that 1t becomes ahard service even
to saperintend them, and hence this re-
sort to an auction. 1t is to be remarked
that this is the first time the Herald has
allowed the Fort Washington to get into
Its columns in ten years. Bennett
formerly published the news of his own
family as well as that of others, in order
to give spice to the Herald: but of late
years his object was srespectability, hence
he kept all his domestic matters in sa-
,, cred privacy. Even when his house took
fire and narrowly escaped destruction,
the Herald made no allusion to it. Now,
however, the auction appears in its col.
umns, crowded among vulgar traffic,
and the common mob of public sale
are invited to the aristocratic precinct
of this grand establishment.
BENEFITS SYSTEM.
Now that Bennett is dead, the power
and value of his genius in systematizing
his business is shown. The Herald is
the only colossal newspaper in the world
which had but one owner and was sub.
Jected to an autocratic power. Its de-
partments were capitally manned, and
there was peculiar arrangement of
checks which prevented fraud or pecu-
lation on the part of the employees. This
system was so perfect that during the
last three years of Benefits lite the
paper run ITSELF" as they say. Old
Bennett was in his dotage and young
Bennett was in Europe and even when
at home he was absorbed by his yacht.
ing and fast life. During this me las
we'll as the presently this great journal was
in the hands Of hired men, less than two
hundred in number, and ram ing from
the errand boy up to the manager. The
most striking feature found here is that
these men, who weld the destlnies of
journal worth million Or two, are
working at rate which, comparatively
speaking, is contemplate. The Herald
is said TO clear So 900 per week, and yet
its managing editor gets less than a
thirtieth of that enormous profit. Small
pay and hard work was the motto under
the Bennett regime, and it is still con-
tinued. How 80 much money can be
handled with no leak is marvel. Here
are thousands taken in and paid out
every day, and yet each man seems as
true as though he was beyond tempta-
tion. The same rule applies to the
Bennet building which is now going up
on the folmer site of the Herald. Here
is large force of men at work, and
payments on contract are made from
time to time; and yet while this work
was under way young Bennett was
abroad, while the old man was dying.
The building is still progressing, and
will cost $25O,000; but, like the Herald,
1t seems 10 run ITSELF"
A PECULIAR FEATURE.
Many years ago Bennett ordained the
daily council OF editors, ana this was
feature peculiar to himself. HIS object
was to have his men discuss matters
viva voce, for any one can write better
on subject after having conversed about
it than If he starts dry theme. The
council was held from to =, and every
man was expected TO advance opinions
on public questions. AS the policy OF
the Herald was to attack, the editors
could suggest points in which leading
men and their measures We're Vulnerable
When these points had been decided,
each man began his theme full OF the
inspiration OF the council chamber.
Elegance was not demanded of any of
these writer's; but they were to COM
pensate for the lack OF this and other
qualifications by their slashing style,
since it was this caught the public.
After the old man lett the post this
council was carefully maintained, and it
still continues one OF the distinctive tea
lures OF the paper.
ANOTHER FEATURE.
This was privacy. Bennett Was tic |
only great editor of the day who kept
the public at a distance. GreeIeys |
policy was to admit all who wanted to
see him. The editorial rooms of the
Tribune were open, and Greeley could be
seen at his desk hard at work. If he
heard a step behind him he would ex-
SioiiA3 WAehouC otpPpihS Aio pen,
" What's wanted 2" Ii the visitor said,
"rll speak when jou have moment to
spare" the reply would be, SO on
Ill hear it now" IT the man had any.
thing worth attention, Greeley would
reply, still writing, and it would be q
very important matter that arrested his
pen and caused him to turn around.
Mr.. Raymond slso allowed himself to be |
seen in very public manner, thus car
rying out the custom of the Tribune,
where he was breo. A gentleman once
called on him. Are you at leisure?,
"No, sir" was Raymonds reply, "but
l am at our service" Bennett, on the
other hand, kept his editorial rooms
locked. An acquain ance of mine once
got into the sanctum and was imme.
diately ordered out and the door slam.
med in his face. The door of the edi. |
tor;al rooms OF the Herald is now guard |
ed by a janltor both day and night, two
men being thus required. The visitor
finds at the head of the iron stair. .casee
this attendant, who is very polite, and
who offers to convey card if desired,
mentions the edict of exclusion. If
card be sent in there is place to sit
awaiting reply, and few newspaper
files afford occupation. If the visitors
presence is desired he will be ushered
in; if not, be refused an interview.
have been within this inclosure and no.
ticed one feature which | cons;dor ~