The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-04
LANCASTER JOURNALISM.
How Simon Cameron Caused Congressman
Hiestand to Start a Daily Newspaper.

Wilkesbarre (Pa.) Record.
In the telegraph columns Of yesterdays Re-
cord was brief dispatch from Lancaster stating
that General Simon Cameron had issued an exc
cution for money due him against tobacco rner-
chant of that place, in consequence of which the
tobacco man was compelled to go under. This
recalls another case of like circumstances. In
1868 or Whereabouts, General Cameron Endorsed
the note of j. NJ w Geist, then editor Of the
Lancaster Express. When the note fell due
Geist was unable to pay and Cameron issued an
execution From that day to this Cam
eron and Geist have been mortal enc
mics The Lancaster editor who was then
in control of the only Republican daily published
in the great Republican county of Lancaster
opposed Cameron at every step. The Express
became an independent Republican paper ard
when Hartranft was nominated for Governor in
1872 it bolted his nomination and signifed its in
tention of supporting the Democratic nominee,
Charles r. Buckalew. This was more than
Cameron could stand. Lancaster county with
out Republican paper Never. One morning
in July, 1872, Cameron came down to Lancaster
from his country seat at Maytown and called
upon John Hlestan6, then naval officer of the
port of Philadelphia and publisher of the Exam
lner, weekly newspaper. 'Hiestand, want
you to make daily out of your weekly at once.
The Express has gone back on u.s. and I'll be
dashed if we're going to be left"
The daily Examiner came out with a great
flourish of trumpets, but the Express said 1t
would only last through the campaign 1t lasted
four years later the Express was sold out at
sheriff's sale. Hiestand the proprietor of the
Examiner, bought it in for $27, 000 and consof-
dated the two papers under the name of the
Examiner Express The combined circulation
was somewhere in the neighborhood of 1900
copies. To the surprise of ali Geist Cameron's
enemy, was retained as editor in chief of the
| new regime. But it didn't work. Hiestand,
the proprietor, wanted a word said now
and then for his friend Cameron, but
Geist was decidedly opposed TO anything
going In the editorial columns in favor OF
| the statesman from Lochiel SO long as he was
editor. The result was rupture between pro
prietor and editor Geist telegraphed to the
Philadelphia Times that he conld no longer act
as editor of a Cameron organ, and signifed his
intention of starting an opposition paper at
once.
Together with State Senator John L. Warfel,
CO partnership was formed and new paper
established under the name of the New Era.
The new venture would have failed under any
ordinary circumstances, but Geist was power
full writer. and from the start the
$27, 000 which Hiestand paid for the
old Express was only so much money
thrown away, as Geist succeeded in bringing
back nearly all bis old subscribers. The Ex-
aminer continued to prosper, however, and it is
today one Of the most successful papers pub
lished in the State. At the last election its pub
Usher, Mr.. Heistand, was elected to Congress,
defeating for the nomination A. Herr Smith, the
New Eras candidate.
1t will thus be seen from the above that
Simon Camerons note played an important
| part IN the politics of the county as well as
State 1t must not be understood, however,
that Senator Cameron is a mean man. On
the contrary, he is all that the word generosity
implies. No friend in need ever went to him in
vain.