The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-05-05
Warrington Correspondents der
inn FtylnuOve's A Administrator.

The ablest newspaper correspondent
at Washington during the Fillmore ed
ministratiOn was Mr. Erastus s. Brooks,
one Of the editors and proprietors Of
the New York Express. He was then
in the prime of life, rather under the
average height, with a large well-bal-
anced head, bright black eyes, and
swarthy complexion. What he did not
know about what was going on in pOlit-
ical circles, before and behind the scenes,
was not worth knowing; his industry
was proverbial, and he was one of the
first metropolitan correspondents to
discard the, didactic and pOmpOus style
which had been copied from the British
essayis,s, and to write with vigorous.
graphic, and forcibe pen. Washington
Correspondents in those days were nei-
ther eavesdroppers nor interviewers,
but gentlemen, who had recognized
position in society which they never
abused.
The Washington correspondents were
always glad to see Major M. NJ. Noah,
veteran New York editor, who was
also warmly welcomed by the politicians
from his state, and by his Hebrew
friends. Although advanced in years,
he retained his portliness OF form, &C
tivity of limb, vivacity Of style, and be-
ncvoence of feature. 1t was better
than comedy to hear the major talk,
after he had eaten a good dinner and
washed it down with few glasses OF
old madeira wine. He remembered
Washington, Franklin, and other revOlu.
tionary worthless, and it is to be regret
ted that he never permanently recorded
his varied and interesting "reminiscences.
Notwithstanding his long editorial serv.
ice, during which he did so much tow
ards advancing the political interests OF
others, he found himself in the decline
of life in straitened circumstances.
Among other occasional correspond
ents was Aaron A. Sargent, afterwards
a senator from California, who was
compositor in the printing-otfice where
the debates of congress were published.
He was on intimate terms with the anti
slavery representatives, and accidentally
learned that one of them, Mr.. Singer
land, of Albany, had got correspond
cnt named Stevens to write letter Oh
political matters, which he had signed,
and sent home for publication az his
own. An alIusion in the epistle to the
Rev. Mr.. Slicer, a ranting pro-slavery
Methodist, who was then chaplain OF
the senate. elected bitter reply from
that gentleman, which appeared in The
Union newspaper. Mr.. Stevens, who
was a man of ability, wrote an answer
for Singerland to sign and publish, but
it was so ''red hot" to use phrase OF
that time, that the congressman was
afraid to assume the responsibility OF it.
While he was 'endeavoring to have it
toned down, Mr.. Sargent got hold OF
Stevcns's draught, signed Singerland's
name to it, and forwarded it TO New
York for publication. The second
morning afterwards, Stevens went into
Singcrland's room, and found him in
great distress over Il copy of the New
York I'riuae containing the letter over
his signature. He upbraided Stevens,
but was a. last convinced by his protest
atiOns of innocence that he had not sent
it. and concluded that it was Sargent.
Fearing an assault from Parson Slicer,
Singerland went that day to the capitol
by circuitous route, and was relieved
from his fright only when Giddings
and other radicals compiimented him
on his manly lettcr.-Mdy atlantic.