The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-07
JOURNALISM IN THE CITY FIFTY YEARS.
AGO


The recent death of William Cullen Bry-
ant and the precarious health " James Wat
son Webb naturally awaken rccoloctions
of journalism in the city OF New York ut
and about the time when these veterans first
became engaged upon its daily press Mr..
Bryant assumed tho editorial management OF
the Erenino Post in the fall Of 1896. The Post
was then one OF tho old papers OF the city. II
had been established in the first year Of Jeffer-
sons Administration. and was very nblc and
bitter Federal sheet all through tho sharp con-
troversics OF those days. Mr.. Webb resigned
the ofiico 81 Lieutenant in the army in 1927,
and took charge OF the editorial columns OF the
Couriei n morning paper TINT had been started
in the previous May When Webb. at the age
OF 25. assumed contro, Of the Courier. there was
no special reason for supposing that 1t would
escape the fate Of n half score Of other city dali
lies of that era which had perlshed after
sickly existence Of few months. But under
the management Of Webb. It lived and flour
ished as the Courier aud Enquirer for third OF
a century. when 1t was consolidated with the
daily World.
Tho ten years that followed Mr.. Dryants on
Gagemcnt upon the Post Witnessed n revolution
In metropolitan Journalism II was near the
close OF this decade that the two pioneers In
the great newspaper establishments OF tho
present day were set on foot We refer 10 THE
Sun Of Moses Yale Beach and the Herald Of
James Gordon Bennett.
When Bryant and Webb entered upon tho
editorial profession in the city the principal
daily newspapers besides the Post and tho
Courier wero the Enquirer conducted by Major
VI. NJ Noah; the Commercial Adrertiser edited
by COL William l.. Stone; tho Ne'o York Ameri-
can. Of which Charles King had Just then as
sumed tho entire management tho Journal OF
Commerce. controlled by David Hale: the Me,.-
/ camille advertiser. the Gazette. and one or two
others OF little note. or these eight newspapers
only three arc now in existence. The editors
mentioned were then. or subsequently be-
came, men Of mark. We need not speak par
ticulary Of Mr.. Bryant or Gen. Webb. The
biography Of the former is known TO the whole
country. For twenty years after he entered
upon journalism the latter was n power in
politics In ls29-30 Col. Webb las he was then
entitlcdl purchased the Enquirer Of Major Noah
and consolidated the two papers under the
name Of the Courier aud Enquirer For some
four or five years it was powerful champion
Of Iacksons administration then it went over
to the opposition, to which II gave the name OF
Wing 1t was leading Whig organ till the
party expired.
Major Noah. OF whom Webb purchased the
Enquirer. WAS vigorous. pungcnt writer. He
was an ardent Democrat. His National Adro-
cate. the predecessor Of tho Enquirer. had large
circulation for those days among the country
Democracy. Noah was an Isracte He and
his associates purchased Grand Isle lust above
tho falls Of Niagara. and the Major. In his as.
sumed capacity Of Judge OF Israel commnnded
the Jews in all parts Of tho world to repnir
thither, purchase lots OF lnnd and lay the
| foundations OF temple. mt this modern Jcru-
salem. that was 10 surpass tho splendors of tho
ancient cdfce erected by Solomon the wise.
While at the West for the purpose OF laying the
| corner stone OF the temple Noah was nrrosted
/ for debt whcrcat Col. Stone OF the Commerce
/ wrote ia'etous editorial announcing TINT
the Judge Of all Israel, while on n plous nil.
grimagc 10 the New Jerusalem. had fallen into
the hands Of the Phistines. The proclamation
! Of Major Noah made sensation among tho
/ Jews OF Europe. who had begun To emicrntr in
! large numbers 10 America. Bat their rabbits
/ regulated his authority, and tho Grand Isle
enterprise was failure That Nonh WIS a
power in politics Is proved by the fact TINT Coy.
| Yates and his Council appointed him Sheriff q,
! New York In 1928. and that Gen. Jackson nom
mated him for Surveyor OF the Port in 1880.
though the Senate rejected him by u vote OF rs
TO 49,
Col. Stone stood high among tho editorial fra
! tornity OF the Northern and Ia stern States HI,
/ took charge OF the Commercial 1dreriisct in
1921. and remained lis manager till his death In
| 1874. Its weekly issue, the Spectator had "A
! large circulation in the country districts He
won distinction rs an author of valuable works.
Col, Charles King became editor in chief OF
the american in 1897. and occupied that posi-
ton till lS47. when the paper WINS merged into
the Courier amt Enquirer. gentleman Of SUI
! prriOr education md emit Vntnd tnatn ho l,