The Russellville Democrat., 1881-12-08
A NEWSPAPER CREW.
some of the Men Who Make the New York
New York cor. penYer Tnbune.

ana eaTneGL 1OurnallSt Tn American cir- cles--and the most excitingly sublime of blasphemers. He Is native of New York. and graduate of the Greeley school, having taken his honors in the 1rtbune composing room. The long stride from the case to the desk of night editor was made in a single night. His reign was brief, however, Smalley, who is now London correspondent of the Tribune, discharging him for insubordi- nation and profanity. What seemed a misfortune really proved to be a golden opportunity. When the Sun was pur- chased by it's present management he was made it's managing editor. Natur- ally arbitrary, hot-headed and reckless, brilliant, talented and witty, he soon as- serted himself, and became master of the situation. Nobody presumed to op- pose or dictate. and even Dana quietly stood from under He was constantly cratic in his policy ridiculed all objects and subjects ordinarily revered, raised his hand against all men, and made of the paper a relentless journalistic Ish- maelite. His account of the arrival of Prince Arthur was the most intense sat ire on junketing royalty ever written
 It IS unnecessary to say that his policy was marvelously successful one With in a few months the Sun jumped to the fore as metropolitan daily, and soon boasted circulation exceeding that of any paper in the Union. Cummings is constant and slavish worker, when the necessityis urgent. His health rapidly succumbed to the intense pressure which his long hours of labor provoked and in time he was forced 10 retire from the desk as managing editor.
 Cummings has keen sense of wit, and wonderful facility for making the lu- dicrous appear decorous, and in clothing the plcbian character with the habili- ments of the patrician. His success in creating notable politicians out of poor material, converting the mouths of igno- ramuses into organs of oracle, and lifting objects of poverty and ignorance into prominence and supposed ability has been something wonderful. In pure sense of humor he took up John O'Gra- dy an indigent pothou keeper on Seventh avenue, who didn't know the difference between a printed alphabet and Chinese wash bill. The name of the wealthy and cultivated O'Grady ap- peared for weeks in the lists of guests at balls, receptions, weddings, and private political conclaves, sandwichad in among the most prominent of the titles present. People soon began to wonder who this particular O'Grady was; wonder was sup plemented by a vague fame, and the fame, such as 1t was, paved the way to a lucrative and honorable political sine cure O'Grady now dominates his pre- cinet, and is esteemed as a presiding off cer of parliamentary ability, and a church member who is distinguished as a generous contributor to the collection box"
 The prominence which Bryan G. Me Swiney attained in the public mind was also owing to Cummings pen. McSwiney was cobler, who first appeared to the newspaper world with the distinctive appendage of title, "Dan 0'L.eary's boot maker" This position struck Cum mings as novel one, and he never lost an opportunity to use the titled cobler in the columns of the Sun. One day he would have McSwiney departing for Europe with the sincere "bon voyage" of countless thousands. Then it would be McSwiney entertained by the Hyena club, or McSwiney doing the grand at some fashionable soiree. McSwiney is poor inofensive Irishman, who has but one astounding ability-he can invent meaningless arguments and expressions of speech by the yard or hour, at the listeners will Through Cummings pen his mouth became the oracle of the century, and his sayings the wisdom marvel of the day. The days were few until the name of McSwiney was famous in verse and song. Rufus Hatch is an- other of Cummings quoted characters.
 Cummings is full of resource and sug- gestion, and his most conservative con- temporaries concede that his newspaper sense is superior to that of any living journalist. His style ofwriting is fascin- ating and engaging in the extreme. He is the only newspaper man who would dare to fill a page of columns with a se' ries of scientific and practical theories regarding the course of the pistol balls in such an affair as the Bennett-Mays duel, and then conclude the whole with brief paragraph stating that it had just been discovered that the pistols were loaded with blank cartridges. But ev- erybody read it--and reading, admired the depth of humor and sublimity of in vention. No sense of propriety or of fense has ever deterred Cummings in his work A stockholder who is a devout church member, one told him in all SC, rious confidence the details of cock fight in which several prominent mem- bers had taken an active part. The fol- lowing moning the Sun contained full account of the affair, together with the names of the principals. He is about forty, of medium height, angular in form, and has sallow face that looks as though it was always oiled. His hair is thin and orderly, eyes brown and ever laughing and his face is relieved by a handsome brown moustache. He dresses plainly, and is a great favorite among the ladies. In fact he is popular among all classes and with all circles. His fund of stories and ability of recital and pow CTS of mimicry make him a welcome wis itor everywhere. He is a stockholder, and his share of the dividends and sal ary combined give him a revenue of about $10,000 a year.
 Chester S. Lord, the managing editor, has done eight years faithful service on the Stn He has filled every subordi- nate position on the repotorial and edi- torial staffs, has ever been pleasant as- sociate to his colleagues, and his eleva- ton was logical and agreeable. Lord, think is a graduate of Hamilton college While not pronounced church mem' Der, he has the air of one whose early orthodox teachings were vigorous and healthful. As managing editor, he is quite the anthesis of his predecessor Ballard Smith, The latter is one ofyour breezy rushers, "Who did this?" "Whc wrote that7" Capital article, MT. Sc and So," sort of fellow Lord, on the l other hand. is quiet. unde,---.e- tive