Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-09-20

With the! death of Hugh j. Hast
inps, the editor of the Commercial
advertiser, who expired Unexpectedly
on Wednesday evening, the death
knell of personal journalism on the
Metropolitan press was sounded Mr..
Hastings during his long life and
political career made many friends
but also many enemies. A man OF
positive mind, strong convictions
thorough Irish combativeness and
the ability to express himself tersely
and without any undue hourishes
strike the nail on the head, he soon
made himself a power. He invested
the Commercial with unique air,
which, though it might repel persons
with convictions opposite to those ex-
pressed in it, at the same time at
tracted by its manner of Saying
things" 1t was its editorial page
which gave the Commercial its value
and influence. Its news pages are
not worthy the name of a great me-
tropolitan afternoon paper. They
show bad or rather no editing, no en-
terprise and deplorable lack of in
formation on the part of the persons
responsible for them. But all this
was overlooked in the vigor and
terseness of the short editorial artl-
Giles at which Mr. Hastings was an
adept.
1t is true that much of their spark
lie depended upon the proof reader.
Such a clever man and professional
writer as Mr. Hastings va - Eng
lish at times was woefully bad, and
the proof reader had to do the polish
ing. If he failed to do it well, there
was a pandemonium in Mr. Hastings
room, in which he with his squeaking
voice and command of what Texans
call "cuss words" had the floor. He
was very quick tempered. and mis-
take no matter how trivial might at
any moment be followed by instant
dismissal. At the same time che
wore no frills," as the saying is.
When not in one of his irascible
moods he was kindly and considerate
to even the most AFFECT tramp print
err" His hand was always ready to
relieve distress, and he gave largely
and in such manner that his left
hand knew not what his right hand
did. His death will be regretted by
many.
AS Mr. Hastings had no sons, he
took up his nephews, (his brothers
sons,) aud brought them on his pa
per one by one. The eldest. John,
has been managing editor for some
years and assisted on the editorial
page. Hugh is financial editor,
Schoolcraft is city and dramatic edi-
tor, while another lad one Of Mr.
Hastings s-in-law is in the count
ing room. They are what is called
nice fellows, but not clever and have
no weight
Another exponent of personal jour
nalism passed away on Wednesday.
This was Mr. Charles J. Foster, the
editor Of The Sportsman, and IN
doubtedly the best authority on
thoroughbred horses and racing in
this country. A man of strong con-
victions he never hesitated to express
them in good terse Anglo Saxon. His
knowledge Of books and the world at
large was extensive, and his love for
the thoroughbred horse was as keen
as his knowledge of its history was
wide, and his appreciation of its good
POINTS was thorough. Mr. Belmont,
he Messrs Lorillard, Mr. Cossatt and
other wealthy gentlemen who went
into racing and breeding, may attrib-
ute many of their successes to his
knowledge and advice. He advised
Mr. Belmont to breed the III Used,
despite the opposition of other advis'
ers to that stallion, and the III Used
Is now The most promising sire in the
Eat. Mr. George L. Lorillard re