The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-10-06

Dy GU0 O0Htu O1 huSn y Adoo1ASS tAO
older race of Journalists in New York
loses one of its most conspicuous mem
bers. The veteran editor was thrown
from his carriage at Long Branch. Sep.
tember Sd, and the injuries sustained
led to paralysis of the heart, of which he
died September 18th.
He was born in the north of Ireland.
August Doth, 1920. His father emigrated
to this country and was followed by his
wife and children when Hugh was eight
years of age. They finally settled in
Albany, and the boys were sent out to
work as soon as they were old enough.
Hugh was always willing and industri-
GUS, and began his struggle for fortune
in dry goods store on William street at
the age of 16.
Though he never shirked the manual
labor which devolved upon him, there
were higher aspirations in his breast
which led to his first efforts in journal
ism, at Albany, in 1910. The acceptance
of his first articles encouraged him in
his new venture, and he applied for q
position en- the Albany Atlas.
First as reporter and afterwards as
city editor, he contributed crisp, ringing
paragraphs, so new and taking in their
style that public interest was aroused
and the circulation of the paper was
doubled.
In 1843 he determined to start paper
of his own, and the Knickerbocker was
founded on cash capital of 81 so, as q
daily, penny paper.
Courage, industry and confidence
made the paper success at the very be-
ginning.
Mr.. Hastings attracted attention, not
only as brilliant and promising jour
nalist, but also as a shrewd, keen and
enthusiastic politician, with the interest
of the whig party ever uppermost in his
mind.
He was friend of General Taylor's,
and when the latter gentleman became
president, he made Mr.. Hastings col
lector of the port at Albany, which Office
he resigned after General Taylor
| death, because of his dislike of Fill
mores administration. His sympathies
being with Weed and Seward, he used
all the power of his rapidly increasing
| influence in behalf of the whig party,
and was delegate to the whig conven-
tion of 1852. where he voted on every
ballot for General Scott. In 1854 he
was made clerk of the state senate.
| He was one Of the organizers of the
| Republican party and from 1910 to 1885,
he was q prominent and active agency in
| every whig and republican national OF
state convention. The organizing of 8
| legislature, or the election of United
States senator were always episodes in
| political history which bore the stamp oil
Hugh Hastings individuality.
In 1867 he came to New York and pur
chased control ing interest in the Com
mercial Advertiser. The paper lad beer
running down and was without spiri
and enterprise. Mr.. Hastings threw into
| its existence the enthusiasm and ardol
which had characterized his management
| of the Knickerbocker, and placed it once
more upon q sound and solid basis.
His office door was always open to Wis
itors, and no one was too humble to fin6
admission and q patient listener.
He made short work of frauds, how
ever, and could detect them almost at
| glance.
In 1879, 1880 and 1881 he published &
series of articles in the Commercial Ad
vertiser under the title: "Ancient Amer
ican Politics." which attracted much at.
tention and gave evidence of his studious
habits and intimate acquaintance with
the leaders in American political history
Tender and genial to his friends, fierce
and scathing to his enemies, he was ever
ready to change the bitterness of hate te
the fidelity of friendship. He has made
his mark upon the century, both in jour
nalism and politics, and while his strong
| personality was productive of i'll feeling
at times, while he was alive, his deatt
has called for universal recognition oil
| his ability and manhood, and the ban
| ishment of personal animosities.