St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-21
..THEIR SELF-RESPECT.v
To Preserve 1t, the Relics of the
Old Regime ON the Dispatch
Throw Up Their Sit

Nations
Last evening the entire editorial force of
the Dispatch resigned. They were: F. r.
Morrissey, managing editor; Nelson Hersh,
CITY editor, and f. NJ. Reed, A. r. Fenwick
and Charles Banford, reporters. To a
GLOBE reporter Mr.. Morrissey made the
following stat ement:
Last Friday Mr.. G. K. Shaw, the new
proprietor of the paper, addressed me a
letter asking for my resignation as manag
ing editor, and proposing that l continue on
the paper in the capacity of city editor,
stating at the same time if this proposition
met nv favor, he would sound
Mr.. HerSh and learn whether he would re-
main under me in a reportOrial capacity.
I'm that event he would dismiss one of the
other members of the staff. AS this seemed
to me a proposition with which l could not
comply in justice to myself or other mem
bers of the staff rendered my resignation.
to take effect the 21st, and submitted the
letter to Mr. Hersh and asked his opinion
He thought the other members of the staff
should be advised of its contents, and it was
so done"
''What do you suppose is Mr.. Shaw's OBJ
iect in making the changer"
Mr.. Shaw, in asking for my resignation,
stated he intended to abolish the position of
managing editor and would give the entire
staff his personal supervision, bringing Mr..
Whiteman of Minneapolis to his assist
ance as telegraph and news editor.
The very next day 1 learned that Mr.. Shaw
proposed to make stock company of the
Dispatch with a capital of $3.50, 000."
who do you suppose would take stock
in this cOmpany?"
''AIainly a syndicate of Minneapolis poll
ticians, for the purpose of furthering r. B.
LangdOn'S ambition to receive the nominal
ton for governor. Employees of the paper
were approached to take stock, presumably
to secure their positions on the staff"
who do you suppose will be yOnr sue
cessOr?" =
Il have every reason to believe it is Mr..
Shaw'S intention to mOboliZe force of
Minneapolis favorites. For the time being,
he will, of course, avail himself of such
talent as is at hand. We are not particu-
larry antagonistic to Mr.. Shaw, but merely
took this step to preserve our self-respect."
To the interviewer Mr.. HerSh said /:
'eWhen the letter was shown me l at once
thought it due the other members of the
force to acquaint them with its nature, in
the belief that they would be as much in
terested in the general outcome as myself.
/ was not disappointed in this. There was
a unanimous feeling that the scheme pro-
posed was against the principle on which
the force was constituted. The men felt
that they had worked unselfishly for the in
terests of the paper. They thought that if
any changes were to be made affecting them
collectively or individually at least those
directly interested should have been openly
notified at the outset. Therefore. believing
that the scheme was not fair, they ex-
pressed to me determination to instantly
resign in body. agreed with them. We
have resigned"
MIR. SHAW'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Shaw was seen at his home in Min
neapOliS last evening and when questioned
about this matter he said: ''When / as
sumed control of the Dispatch L found Mr..
Morrisey in change as managing editor. We
had mutual understanding that if he
wished so change he was to give me reason
able notice, or if L wished a chadge | was
to give him reasonable notice. A week ago
determined to abolish the Office of man
aging editor and asked Mr.. Morisey for his
resignation. | explained to him that if he
was willing l would make him city editor,
and that Mr.. Hersh, the present city
editor could continue as a reporter. / had
concluded to take editorial management
myself In the note | sent him asking his
resignation, L explicitly said. Take a rea-
Sonable time. Mr.. MOTissey sent in his
resignation to take effect tomorrow Tues
day. He said he wished to consider further
the proposition of giving him the city editor
ship of the Dispatch, stating that he should
give me his final answer on Tuesday. Re-
Gently have been warned that MOrTisSey
and HerSh were Matching up some plot, or,
as my informant expressed it, they in
tended to do me dirt in some way. My
foreman told me that MOrrissey had en-
deavOred to create dissatisfaction i'll the
force, that | was to discharge him and
others. The foreman also said that Nor
riSsey had said that he intended to smuggle
an article into the paper on the last day eX-
planning the matter after had left the Of
flee. Consequently ! remained i'll the Office
all day, but nothing TRANSFERRED of any inn
pOrtance and at $50 o'clock the men had
Signihed every intention TO continue work.
don't think the dissatisfaction extends
any further than MOrriSsey and Hersh and
l. don't think they can very well afford To
take the action threatened. | had only in
tended to change Mr.. Morrisy from manag-
ing editor to city editor and Mr.. Hersh from
city editor to reporter, and so long as they
got their salary | don't think they have
good reason for complaint"
had not intended to discharge him.
They have a privilege to quit if wish to,
however. The Dispatch will come out just
the same. l can get plenty of men.
Mr.. Whitman, as every newspaper
man knows is capable and can do vast
amount of work. He will stay and | think
the reporters will also stay. This is the true
condition of affairs in the Dispatch office.
ARTISAN WELLS.