Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-01-25

Samuel Bowles was born Feb. y. lS26 IN
the city where he spent his life and did his
work. lie inherited his paper and his pro
fession. for his father. Samuel Bowles, had
founded the Republican as q weekly paper IN
1924. lie got such learning as the schools OF
Springfield could give, but was chiefly edu-
Gated in his fathers printing Office where, as
a boy. he worked at the case. Later he re-
ported local events for the paper, and deyel-
oped so marked a capacity for journalism that
he early cravcd a broader field for its exercise
than a weekly issue afforded and with per-
ception that ran ahead Of his conservative
fathers views. he became convinced that
Springfield was large enough for daily paper
lie speedily convinced his father also, and in
1874 the daily Republican was established.
Mr.. Bowles was then but Is years old, but his
mind was fall and mature enough to direct
the editorial course Of the paper the elder
Bowles retiring from its active control. Dr.
J. G.. Holland became associate editor of the
paper in 1919 and held that position till 1860
But Mr.. Bowles was the head and director II
was his mind that put its impress deepest on
the paper. In these years the paper grew TO
and maintained vigorous life. and the orig
inality and power Of its young editor won
recognition and admiration outside of Spring
field. In 1857 he was induced to go to Bos
ton to become editor Of n paper made up by
the fusion Of the Atlas, the Bee, and the Trav-
eller. under the name Of the last mentioned
The enterprise was not successful, however.
and at the end Of six months he returned to
the Republican Of which he had retained the
Ownership.
Mr. Bowles conducted his paper on that
cardinal principle Of all successful journalism.
that ~ pays to print the news, so that the
Republican. like other live journals all over
the country. put forth its resources literally
during the war and found itself at its close q
soldly-established and well-paying newspa-
per It's earnest and vigorous Republicanism
suffered no change until 1872. Mr. Bowles
opposed the denomination Of Gen. Grant He
had a candidate Of his own. and he went 10
the Cincinnati convention with his heart set
on the nomination Of Charles Francis Adams
Ii VIII be remembered that several other ed
itor, went with him whose views as TO Mr.
Adams harmouized with his own. Mr.. Bovles
was bitterly disappointed at the failure Of his
friend and candidate, but he went back 10
Springfield d. tarmined 10 support Mr. Greeley
He could hardly do this with consistency as
the editor Of "a Republican journal. 80 with
one Told stroke that was striklngiy character
istic Of the man. he cut the bonds that had
tied him 10 party and stood forth then. as he has
been ever since. the most radical and consist
,ut advocate and example OF independent
journalism. lie proclaimed that the EeTub-
lean would thereafter acknowledge allegiance
10 10 party but standing aloof from both. it
would maintain its night TO critcise meu and
measures with the largest freedom. His con-
version TO independent journalism may
have been primarily "a caprice, but il became
conviction. He carried lis independence
beyond questions Of party. often pitilt ssly as
sailing with his pen lis personal friends. and
he even defeated. by the earuestness Of his
opposition. his own brother-in-law Henry
Arxand,r Jr.. when he was nominated for
Corgres- by the Republicans in 1874. against
Chester ". Chaplin. president Of the Boston
and Albany railroad. The business interests
and policy Of his paper had but little weight
with him when they ran counter TO his ,ditori-
al convictions.
He was beyond al question a great editor
IL j. often said to be a successful journalist @
man must be- destitute Of convictions. Mr.
Bovles's career disproyed this silly fiction
IL Lad distinct convictions on most themes
Of current discussion, and never hesitated 10
express them with fraukness and yigor His
mind was clear. keen and originating His
thinking WAS like the working Of a perfected
machine. He liked to consider the Republi-
can ~ school for journalism. He took into
his Office many young men 10 train and in
struCt The smolumcuts Of the uOvtiate
were moderate at first. and were rarely in
creased so fast As to dazzle and spoil him
but the opportunities Of his position were
NOR, valuable than salary.
Socially and in his family Mr. Bowles was
genial and hospitable beyond most men. Some
Of the brightest men and women in the coun-
try we're his warm friends and frequent guests.
He visited Europe in lN62, and again IN 1874.
In lSGj he went overland TO the Pacific coast
with Speaker ColfaX, and his book. Across
the Continent, WAS the fruit of the journey.
He published also. Our New West and
the Switzerland of America" He was we'll
known in California. and was the guest when
there Of such men a. the late Mr.. Ralston and
Senator Booth The immediate cause of his
death was paralysis Of the brain. which as
long ago a. Nov. 30 last shut out the hope his
friends had entertained through several weeks
Of dangerous illness from a complication of
maladi,s