The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-10-03

lously constructed candelabrums at once
ornament and at night throw q Hood
Of mcllowed light in every part OF the
grand rotunda. -. +
At THE OUTSET.
The moment one passes the second
vestibule he is met by an obsequious
attendant in livery, who wishes to know
what can be done for monsieur. If
monsieur be an advertiser, he is bowed,
in a moment, to the proper clerk at the
proper opening; if subscriber, he is
led to another place; if he brings some
intelligence of real or fancied import
ance, he is politely shown into the
room Of an editor, which Immediately
Joins the main entrance.
Just here, it is proper to hint at
little contrast in French and American
manners. In some American offices,
the nah who brings the information is
passed from hand to hand with su-
preme insolencc, and is quite fortunate
il he escapes being kicked down stairs
by some one of the petty lnagnates be-
fore whom he humbly presents himself.
At the Figaro Office such one is
welcomed. There is an editor whose
special business it is to receive such
persons. lie occupies an elegant room;
he is courteous in the extreme; he
listens patiently to what each one has
to say; he invites all to be seated; and
he is not sparing in thanks to one who
brings him nothing Of value. Hc knows
his business thoroughly; he readily
separates the wheat from the chaff Of
intelligence; sauvity pleases the pub
lie; the prompt admission to an edito-
rial room tlatters the vanity OF the
people; and, as result, good deal OF,
valuable information, bons nots and
the like are secured in tho course Of
each twcnty-four hours. What is bet
ter is that people who have a real
grievance or real information are never
snubbed or insulted by insolent under"
strappers, so that the very best of feel
ing is always entertained for the paper.
OTHER APARTMENTS
Opening upon the grand gallery that
runs around the Spanish patio, or 70.
tunda, are the rooms, or halls that lead
to the rooms, of the various employees.
These are all furnished i'll magnificent
style, with rosewood furniture, rich
carpets, tapestry, bronzes and marble
statues. Some rooms accommodate
single writer, others two or three.
The principal editor, De Villemessant,
occupies small room, on the ground
floor, to the right of the principal en-
trance. There arc also richly furn'
ished council-room, in which all the lit
erary force meets once each month
bedrooms. bathrooms and breakfast
and dining.rooms-fo all Of the litera'
~ force Of the paper, save the editor
in-chief, eats, sleeps, and lives IN the
building. There is also one very large
room whose sides are hung with masks
and glittering foils. Each day at 2
o'clock all the employees assemble in
this room and receive lessons in fenc'
ing from an expert. This is obligatory
on each one, for the reason that each
individual is expected to fold himself
in readiness to call. or be called, to the
field Of honor at q moments notice
Any hesitation in such case would Sc
cure the instant dismissal Of the indi'
vidual involved.
"You have none Of this in your
country?" queried my conductor.
mo"
"What do you have there?"
thought the case all over from
horsewhips to fists, boots, bludgeons
and thumb.nails, and found my limited
French unequal to the situs ton. AS q
compromise, shrugged my shoulders,
looked darkly ferocious, and said moth
ing.
"Ah, understand! You do these
things here" and he said ''here," hi
brought his hand around on that por'
ton Of the person where a Yankee is
supposed to ''tote" a revolver.
let him think that we do these
things here.'' Perhaps Editor Hesine
would be willing to correct the French
mans error as to how they 'do thes'
things in America.
PERSONNEL OF THE OFFICE.
On its literary staff the Figaro en-
ploys one editor.in-chief, fourteen as
sistant editors and ten reporters. Tn
composition department employs sew
enty men. which includes feeders
; pressmen and stcreotypers. All thi
force is employed in issuing daily I
journal about one-half the size Of the
Times. and which contains scarcely
, more than one.quarter as much matter
r 1t will interest many to know tn
/ compensation received by French jour
; nalists. Villemessant received last yea
. as his share of the profits of the Fig
f arc, 100000 francs, or about $4,000 il
e gold. The city editor is paid $1,000
$ francs per annum; the chief reporte
is induced to contribute his services 70
: 10000 francs per year; the managing
: man has 10000 per annum; the theat
rical artist slashes actors and dead
e heads around green rooms for an in
. ducement which amounts to 1900
J, francs per year; while other reporter
t and writer's are paid by the piece. If
writer secures the leader in an issue h
gets 250 francs for it regardless q
i. length; other writer's are paid iron
). four sous to one franc per line accord
q ing to the quality of the contribution.
It will be seen from this list of price
f that paid journalists on the Figaro re
n ceive from three to five times what tn
a same class of writer's are paid in tn
;. United States.
!. DETAILS OF LABOR.
e The telegraph is used only for tn
}, briefest summary of news on Ordinar