National Republican., 1880-07-21
NEST OF NEWSPAPER MEN.
Blonde and Brunette BOhemlans OF the
New York associated Press.
Personal Paragraphs Pertaining to Some
Pirates Of the Pross--The Washington
OHice--A Few Journalists.

inc history OF tue washington DfanCn Ol inc
New York Associated Press. This is the most
important bureau Of the home Office; in fact, IL
may lay claim to the title Of an Independent
institution. Tho Washington branch was
started in 1850, and shortly afierward was put
in charge Oi the genial aud versatile l.. A. Go.
bright, under whom il became power in the
land. Colonel Gobrght having spent the best
part Of his life in faithful service of the asso-
citation and impeatvClv needing rest, re-
quested to be relieved. and Oh tho l4th Of
June, 1875 Mr.. Walter 2. Phillpa, the most
brilliant aud accomplished Of the brilliant
and accomplished STAFF Of the Associated
Press was put in charge of the Washington
Uihco as the post Of honor aud q cougepial field
for the exercise of bis varied aud admirable
abilities. Coming to Washington aud making
himself acquainted with tho local mUdus
oporandi of the Office, Mn Phillips at once
instituted a series Of sweeping reforms put.
ting the Washington office on the most advanced
plane of modern requirements until it may to-
day be ranked with the most complete aud
systematic organizations IN the world.
As Washington is the seat Of government
| and the political metropolis OF the country,
the source whence flow all the rivers of pOiti-
cal and governmental news which dood the
country with information, Mr.. Phillips right.
fully determined Ia the reorganization of
his staff to employ the assistance of none but
the ablest and widest awake of coadjutors.
As Washington is also the fashionable
as well RS tho political capital of the
country tho colonel wisely determined to
supplement tho requirements of intellect
and enterprise with tho additional requisite
of good looks. In this rs in most other of
his undertakings Mr.. Phillips met with his
piovorbial success. The menb0rs of his
STAFF are not only brainy, but handsome.
There is fitness ia this fact most commeuds-
bic, because Of the harmony in ability aud
appearance between the chief of the Washing
ton bureau aud his assistants. Dir. Phil
lips, the chief Massachusetts, man, origin
ally entered tue telegraph business, aud bis
active, versatile intellect mastered the prin-
ciplcs of that science so thoroughly that lie
has become famous by tho Invention
Of & fast system OF toegraphy, which
bears his name and has come into gen.
eral use. born journalist, his fate led
| him in lSbS to the reportOrial staff of the
Providence Daily Herald. Here preicrnent
waited on ability, aud merit soon begot pro.
| motion. In a short time hs became managing
| editor OF that paper, position lie filed with
such ability as to win high reputation for both
| himself and his paper. In 1873 he started q
| Journal OF his own, the Aluehnro (Mnss. }
| Chronicle which became valuable property
| from the start. In 1875 he sold out the ChroHi.
| Gle and took subordinate position on the New
| York Associated Press, from which ho was
| raised, inside of ton months, to bo second in
| rank to Mr.. Simouton. the superintendent OF
| the Associated Press institution. He remained
| IN New York as such assistant for three years,
and was then sent TO Washington TO reorganize
the Washington bureau, a task which he
| accomplished with more than ordinary bril-.
liancy of success. fIo is well knit, very
handsome and remarkably agreeble, blonde
! in appearance, good judge of men, and
capital good fellow. With n prodigiou,
talent for work, and always busy in his
profession, no has yet found time to lee
tuIe aud to write flst-rate book of charac
ter sketches. He is young and in the best OF
| health.
Mr. A. l. Mudd is the day manager and
cashier of the office. He Is famous for his re
markable accuracy and memory, and is
peripatetic encyclopedia Of the details of tn,
Office, of which ho is absolute master. Ho la
been on service in the bureau since 1874, snC
knows more about the details OF tile Ofiic
than any other of the ststf In person ho 4
slender, brown'eyed and dark-haired, quick 0
movement and quick OF speech.
Mr. George kcnnan Is the night man
ager and supreme court reporter. Mr. Ken
nan originally embarked in telegIaphy, AM
was all active mcmbor of tho celebrate,
Overland Excursion to Siberia" to build
telegraph line. He has given to the wor
the results Of an artistic taste and keo
/ observation In Tent Lifo in Siberia" one q
the most fascinating books of travel eve
penned, which il is pleasant to say was
popular as it was readable. Mr.. Kennal
was for considerable while engaged il
" the law department Of the Mutual Insurance
company in New York. In appearance Pro
fessor Kennan is tall slender and graceful
bruno in complexion, with heavy blac
whiskers and dreamy dark eyes. He Is r,
mnrkably handsome man, and is noted fo
the variety aud the accuracy of his scholar
ship. He is said to be the only Mt
tive born American who is toroug
i Russian scholar, and is perfectly au fat in a
C the various branches Of the Slavic tongue Hi
facility in wrestling with the octo-syllabi
pOylogies of the Russian vernacular is n MAJ
n vel to his friends and he can sing a Cossac
loye.song with less danger to his teeth tha
probably any other man in the countrl
lie has won an enviable reputation as a le
turer.
Mr.. D. r. Mckee, of whom it has bee
! pleasantly and pGrineutly said that MS
gentleman, Il journslist and u scholar mon
but himself can bo his parallel" has gener
charge OF the capitol branch Of The Associate
Press work during tho session of congres
AS successful aud accomplished Journals
Mr.. Mckee is too well known to need d.
scriptiOn, while as gentleman, no ono hi
dOue more to elevate the dignity Of proie
sion lie 80 faithfully serves and SO bright
adorns. lie has been connected with I'll
DNftUu s|hct IooJ'
Mr. w. w. Burhans is IN charge of the senat
committee work Of tho Associated Press, an
+; Is noted for his attainments in financial Learn
ing aud his ready proficiency In pOrliamentar
law. Mr.. Burhans Is well Luilt, rather stuu
with dark hair and complexion, and is 70
ciblo and fluent speaker, ready writer aud
quick, apprehonsiye reporter. He is man
strong convictions, aud Is always ready
give 4 reason for the faith within him.
Mr.. r. V, DeGraw, chief Of the depar
= mental branch of the Associated Press worl
is decidedly the handsOmest US lie is prob
bly, tho most genial aud accomplished OF tl
staff. In person ho is tall, inclined to stOu
ness, with face Greek IN outline, Saxon
fulhess, blonde curly hair, heavy blonC
moustache aud peary white teeth which
very pleasant smile frequently reveals. N
DcGraw is noted for quickuoss Of pcrceptiC
aud readiness of apprehension. His iud
ment is never at fault aud his success in u
earthiug an item" something on the ma
4 velous. With an address simply irresist
BILE, be can talk the eye teeth out Of
mans head aud then persuade him he uov
had any, and the manner in which he Civ
8. "tDGy" to a department official who wishes
,r hold back piece Of news never fails to NAL
Nj said official surrender at discretion, and, III
Oliver Twist, ask for more. Probably no mj
T. in Washington has more friends thau Yor
In DeGraw, and certainly no man Ia WUshingtC
l.. Of 10 q, 1