The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-25


his upward progress, not to keep him down, they
can do much to make of the labor organizations
a means of promoting peace and order and OF
bringing out OF the present conflict between
capital and labor harmonious, because just and
equal. relations LYMAN ABBOTT.
An Editor of the Old School.
NEW YORK, April 23-At o'clock the other
afternoon five of the great newspaper editors of
this city left their sanctums simultaneously
The two Pulitzers. arrayed in the nobbiest of
spring attire, entered their carriages and were
driven to their residences Dorshemer, sedate
and majestic, took hack and was whirled to
the dinner table of a millionaire friend He
cuffs and collar. He looked like heavy poem
on spring time At the same hour George Jones
walked from the Times Office to the Park place
station of the elevated road, and Charles A.
Dana climbed the stairs of the City hall station
of the Third-avenue line All had done
their. days work, and had left ed
ltorial cares behind them Jones
wore span new cloak, and gold-rmmed spec
tacles, and billy-cock hat Dana has not yet
donned his spring garments. OF all the editors
in New York, he alone represents the circle
made memorable by William Cullen Bryant
James Watson Webb. Henry j. Ray mond. James
Brooks, Horace Greeley, Manton Marble and old
James Gordon Bennett. Although sixty-six
years old, he looks as though he was in the prime
of life. His step is quick and as firm as ever
and he retains his erect military bearing His
eyes are bright and piercing, and he uses spec
tacles only when reading and writing. He sys
tematises life, and thoroughly enjoys it. Fifteen
years ago ne usually wore a military cloak at
night, and was rarely seen without silk skull
cap Cloak and cap long ago disappeared. He
is inclined to badness now. and his full beard is
as white as snow. He dresses plainly but in
fashionable attire. He patronizes American
tailors, although some suits are the
work Of Poole, of London. He likes good
wine, but does not use tobacco in any
form. Mr.. Dana seldom appears in public at
dinners or elsewhere but when he does appear he
attracts much attention, and is heard with great
in terest His figure is by no means as familiar to
New Workers as were the persons of Horace
Greeley and James Gordon Bennett He loves
his home and enjoys its attractions. At times
he develops Bohemian taste. An orchid sale
would interest him, and so would good glove
fight I have known him to leave mis- desk to see
a foot ball match between rival college teams.
He enjoys days fishing, and he loves game of
billiards. Indeed, he is not averse to taking a
hand in friendly game of poker where the
stakes are light One of the most amusing games
ever saw was years agoin the house Of friend,
in which Charles A. Dana, p T. Barnum Hugh
Hastings Oliver Dyer and Isaac w. England
were the players. The stakes were very light
but light as they were, Hugh Hastings got away
with them.
MIR. Dana usually enters the Sun Office at Ii
A. NJ. He first ascertains the circulation of his
newspaper on that morning. He next opens his
personal letters, and chances at the proof sheets
of articles left over. He makes many alterations
and emendations A few screeds are killed out
right After thoroughly sitting his proofs. he
scans the leading newspapers outside of New
York. using the scissors freely. Most of the
newspaper extracts in his journal are culled by
his hand. At times he seems to draw inspiration
from the perusa. of his exchanges. Then he
summons his stenographer, ana dictates many
pithy editorial paragraphs. For years Mr.. Dana
has absolutely refused to exchange with other
newspapers. He subscrlbes and pays for those
he wants, and expects those who want the Sun
to do the same.
MIR. Dana enjoys his work He is ever in good
humor and ever accessible While debating,
however, he will not allow himself to be dis
turbed by even an officeboy. He thus preserves
his train of thought unbroken. He is
whelmed with visitors. 1t may be an ex-presi-
dent one moment, and pugilst the next. Both
are treated with uniform courtesy and considera-
tion Dana is a remarkable linguist. and his
visitors are of all natonalities. He uses half a
dozen different languages day. and speaks them
in each case like native And he continues the
study of modern Ian guages, his latest acquis-
ton being the Icelandic tongue.
Mr.. Dana lunches at Nash & Fullers about
P. M. His fayorite dish there is crackers and
milk; rarely does he take anything else for lunch.
HIS main meal is his dinner. He employs chef
de cuisine that would do credit to ex President
Arthur, and he revels in the creations of
his genius On returning from lunch
he frequently spends time in the
outer Office, indulging in badinage with his assoc
ciates He laughs heartily over good story.
On finding one in a country n wspaper ne passes
1t around and occasionally reads it aloud to those
near him. He has no editorial councils. When
necessary, he tells each editor in clear, concise
terms what he wants. Beyond this they have
free scope. His decisions and suggestions are
prompt and to the point. Rarely are they re-
versed He frequently selects correspondents
for special work, and at times makes reIortorial
details. As the afternoon wears away he puts
his desk in apple-pie order He Is scrupulously
neat place for everything and everything in
it's place is his motto. In this respect he pre-
SCENTS marked contrast to his old colleague,
Horace Greeley. About o'clock Mr. Dana en-
joys quiet chat with his son Paul. throws his
spring overcoat over his arm slaps silk hat on
his head and goes home.
A few words about his sanctum. It is plainly
furnished and uncarpeted. The song of birds is
not heard there No flowers load the air with
perfume. The furniture is plain lounge. three
chairs and three tables. A revolving pedestal
filed with books for quick reference stands on
his desk. The walls are covered with pictures
of dead friends. The most conspicuous orna-
ment is stuffed gray owl perched on the re-
volving pedestal 1t is the gift of Thomas G.
Acton, who supplies new owl whenever the old
one begins to succumb TO time. A veined mar.
ole mantle. yellow with age. Is another feature
of the sanctum 1t is loaded with old bric-a-
brac and other curios A conspicuous picture is
photograph of Horace Greeley sitting at a
desk, with his overcoat collar turned under, in
tently reading copy of the Tribune. His sid
soft hat lies the table in front Of him This
strikingly realistic picture was stolen by pho
toerapher while Greeley Vas in one of his alb
stracted moods. Thscartoons of Mr. Dana make
him appear mich older than reality. There are
very few lines in his face, and he looks ten years
Younger than his age. Once out of the Office he
throws all of it's cares and annoyances from him,
good horses and uses them. Much of his time is
spent in the fresh sea breeze of his island of Do
saris All this preserves his health and his grasp
of mind. With his intellect undimmed he is the