National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-20
Speaker Blaine's Opinion Of the Pirate of the
Press.
1.-THE Strangers Note Book in the New York
sun.


1.-THE Strangers Note Book in the New York
SUM-
a have known Dana for years, and always
liked him immensely" began he. "He is probably
the most accomplished and one OF the ablest men
have In the country, and formerly as we'll as in
the future he might occupy the highest positions
ifbe chose to. But he has drawbacks which rem
der him almost unmanageabfe. He has killed
and scalped larger number of influential men
than anybody could imagine. And what is still
more striking, perhaps, is that he has done 1t In
the most good-natured way, seldom getting into
personal quarrels with any Of them. As a news
paper maker he is certainly our leading man, and
the Tribune, when it was under his management,
was the best paper we ever possessed. But with
what differently. Like all enthusiasts, Dana
had for long time to struggle against adversely;
and 1t was only when growing older that he made
up his mind to make money, and am told that
he is making it now very fast indeed"
by the way" interrupted he, e is hs still as
merry and bright as formerly? His vitality
always astOnished me. He is certainly fifteen
years older than 1, and wish l could feel as
young as he seems to feel"
On answering that for my own part l had
exactly the same wish, and that never yet saw
MI. Dana otherwise than in the brightest posi-
Bile condition, both Of mind and body, my ami
when he took the control Of the Sun INFO his
bands he resolved to make IL popular paper.
Now, popular means the mass, and the mass
always want opposition to the Government, ex-
citing news, and a little scandal. Dana furnishes
them amply with all these articles, and probably
without noticing II himself, made Of his paper an
organ which a certain class Of people dislike so
much that they will not read ii at all. His con-
slant attacks On Grant, notwithstanding the good
they may be supposed by some to have done. have
finally tired many Of his readers; while Dana's
unabating energy in fighting against corruption
and fraud induced him 10 organize around him q
kind OF detective staff. l cannot tell otherwise
that set OF his contributors who make him often
discover some sort OF fraud somewhere. Now,
hal 10 he mn in
are, ii not false, at all events exaggerated. In
Congress, for instance there is much less dishon-
esty thar he asserts; and upon this matter dare
say am better informed than he. In the Pacific
Mail affair, for instance, the whole brIbinR money
remained in the lobby. Possibly two or three OF
TIE members got few Thousand, but this is a
mere trifie, and the reputation Of these men Is
probably such that a great newspaper has no
need OF wasting time in attacking them, or even
in finding them out. The same is true with refer
ence to the majority OF the sO-called fraudulent
jobs. He has irequeRtly reminded me Of a run
away locomotive, smashing everything that is in
his way, without asking VINO is right and who is
wrong. His patriotism and his honesty push him
forward like the uncontrolled steam power Of the
engine. This was all very we'll a few years ago
but al present, when it wields the power Il does
II should be the duty OF Dana to come around to
the path which he formerly pursued and which /
am certain is the path OF his natural inclination
He must educate and elevate the masses. He
need have no fear OF losing his readers; they are
accustomed to his paper, and they will read him
none The less eagerly if he reduces the space a.
lOtted TO his detective articles and his articles on
Grant TO ne-half they occupy now. Far from
reducing his circulation, an improvement Of that
kind in the programme would doubtless soon
double II, for there is probably in the whole of
the New York press not one journalist who is
either capable OF better writing himself exer-
cisiDg a better Judgment in the selection OF what
Il good in other peoples writings. Ii IL we're a
question Of money, would possibly not speak IN
think few remarks Of this sort can be made to
Dana without hurting his feelings much"