Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-13
THE II Y.
TUEsIN.
something about Dana's Luniinary.


something about Dana's LuMinary.
Nov YORK Correspondence Boston Transcript
In 1865, when the Sun Was sold to its
present proprictors, it had circulation OF
about $1,000, Just at that time Charles A.
Dana who was since so closely identified
himself with the Sun, was looking for such
an opportunity MS the purchase of the paper
presented, and he avaicd himself Of 1t. Mr..
Danas previous experience had well fitted
him for the enterprise in which he engaged.
lie was born in New Hompshirein 1916. He
spent Two years at Harvard, and though,
owing to an affection of the eyes, he did not
graduate, he afterwards received the degree
Of masters of arts iiom the University. When
the Brook Farm project was started, Dana
entered into it with great zeal and enthusi-
.snl, aud was one OF tn most active men,
hers Of the community. After its failure he
turned his attention 10 literary work in Bos-
tor, wrote for the Gr0H0tope, of which
klAur Wright was the editor, and for "A time
edited Hu6in9ey But New York offered II
wider field, and in 1916 he. with his friend
George Ripley, who labored with him at
Brook Farm, accepted an offer from Horace
Greeley, 10 Join the editorial force Of the
IHbnnc Some extracts from the cash book
about that time, given by Whitelaw Reid in
a ltc'ute few years ago, show that MIR.
Dana's labOrs were not at first very iemuncr-
alive. lie was paid SIC week as a begin
ming but Two years later, being medc assist
All. editor, his salary was increased to SD,
and in 1859 the rtc0id shows that he recciv-
cd tiS Il week Besides his editorial work
he compiled the "llouschold Book of Poe
try, which has had large sale, and, Mr..
Ripley edited the american Cyclopaedjo,
whichhas plovcd very rcmuderative.
Mr.. Dana's connection with the Tribune
continued until 1862 During that year he
quarrellcd with Horace Greeley, sold his
share in The TTJinc to Dr. j. {. Aver of
Lowell, and left the paper for which he had
worked diligently tor fourteen years. Sec
Rotary Stanton sympalhzed with Dana in
the dispute Which had taken place in the
IriJtCHe office, 50 the executor was made
assistant secretary Of war He held the
position from 1863 to 1866. Then he went
back to journalism, was for Il time editor OF a
Lrw paper the Chicago Republic, with II
yearly salary OF $1,000 and one fifth Of the
profits, became dissatisfied with the arrange
ment, and returned 10 New York. Here he
proposed TO start a new evening paper to be
called the Telegraph. But as that could not
have the privileges OF the Associated Press,
it was thought better TO purchase an estab-
lishel paper which was member of the as
sptiation. The Sun was accordingly bought
by the company which was organized by
Mr. Daua, ana which represented a certain
wing of the Republican party. The price
paid was $4,000 aud Sli5, 900 was also
gwen Tor the old 1ammany Hall property.
Since that time the Sun has been managed
by Mr.. Dana aud his associates with good
deal OF TACT and vigOr, and IN some ways i,
has met with marked success. But its COURSE
in some respects has disappointed those who
knew its conductor during his connection
with the 7rjjune. Its sensational appeal:
10 popular prejudice, its cGurss aud bruta
attacks upon certain public men, and vu
CUR snartncss which sometimes takes thu
place of vlgOr in its columns. are by NJ
means credilahlc TO the exponent Of modcrt
journalism.
The pre- sent editorial staff of the Sun in
cludes II number of able men in the ditferen
departments. Mr.. Dana is cditor-in-chicf
aud at night his place taken by John Swim
ton. Chester :. Lord in the managing edi
tor, aud john b, Bognrt the city editor
William NJ. Inlan, the art and dramatic ed
itGr, Was formerly of the Baltimore Press
and came to New York few years ago. ii,
is clever writer, as his contributions to the
magazines slow, and his criticisms of wha
is done at the theatres and what is shown Il
the picture exhibitions are judicious as wei
us attractive. Francis ). Bowman the mu,i
ca editor, is critic whose opinions Just j
carry good deal Of influence. NJ. w. Ha
Feline furnishes most Of the notices of new
books which appear in the Sunday edition
=. Al. a. Al. 4
". Thomas Hitchcock is the regular finan
cal editor, but he financial gossips and pre-
dlction under the heading I'm and abou
Wall street" are the work Of n. l.. Thieblin
versatile gentleman, formerly on Don Car
loss staff. Mr.. Thiebln also writes the cd
TOTALS ON European subjects. Amos Cum
mingS, one OF the principal editorial writers
has long been known as Il journalist, and T.
7. Mitchell may be credited with most Of the
humorous aud salirical editorials. Il. j.
Edwards repre- sents the paper in Washing
ton, and Theodore Child is its correspondent
in Paris.
The managers of the Sun have shown
good judgement in the selection of it report.
els, and the work IN this department is OF
unusual excellence. Some of the work IN
special directions is very clever. The "Notes
tor tine Farmers Club, which gives the pro
ceedings of Il a. body in VEN of delicate
humor, are written 10y f. ID. Beach. Blaliely
Hall and Frank Patleu furnish some striking
studies of New York hfc, and until recently
Gustav koblc, who is now musical editor OF
the VorM, was one of the most brilliant
younger writer's for the Sun.
In II financial way the Sun has been very
Successful. The tact and good judgement
which have been shown in its management
have r, suited in u constant increase OF circu-
latiOn. OF the fist number published under
Danu's control 43, 900 copies were sold. Two
years later its circulation had reached daily
average of 1902 800, aud an aggregate weekly
circulation of G22, 400 This was in 1870.
Since then the average has steadily risen.
For the week ending the 10Th of the present
inonls, the daily edition had an average cir
cuIation Of LAG, 1924 and of the weekly ed-
ton "a G02 copies were printed making an
aggregate circulation for the week of 1859,
ga. As compared with these figures 1t is
worth while to give the estimated circulation
Of the other nurnng papers of New York,
which IS as follows; HeruM 1l6, 900, Truth
10000, tribune so, OCO, Times $4,000, World
5000
The capital stock Of the Sun company is