Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-25
CHARLES A. DANA.
An Interesting Sketch of His Work and
His SAnctum.

An Interesting Sketch OF His Work and
His SAnctum.
NEW YORK, April 23.-At o'clock the
other afternoon, five of the great news
paper editors of this city left their sane
tums simultaneously. The two Pulitz-
ers. arrayed in the nobbiest Of spring at
tire, entered their carriages and were driv-
en- to their residences. Dorsheimer, sedate
and majestic, took a hack and was
whirled to the dinner table OF million
aire friend. He wore a gigantic Prince
Albert and immaculate 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 editorial cares behind them. J 0nes
wore span new cloak and gold-rimmed
spectacles and a billy-cOck nat. Dana
has not yet donned his spring garments.
or all the editors in New York, ne alone
represents the circle made memorable by
William Cullen Bryant, James Watson
Webb, Henry J Raymond, james Brooks,
IlOIdCG NNIttIGNs m0uLOu MdkDlb anu Olu
James Gordon Bennett. Although GO
years old, he looks as though he was in
the prime of life. His step is as 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
systematizes life and thoroughly enjoys
it. Fifteen years ago, he usually wore a
military cloak at night, and was rarely
seen without silk skuIl-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 pQtrOnizes
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 be does appear he attracts much at
tention and is heard with great interest.
His figure Is by no means as familiar to
New Workers as were the persons of
Horace Greedy and James Gordon Ben
nett. He loves his home and enjoys its
attractions. At times, he develops a
Bohemian taste. An orchid sale would
interest him, and so would a good glove
fight. | have known him to leave his desk
TO see a foot bail match between rival
college teams He enjoys days fishing
and be loves a game of billiards. Indeed
he is not averse to taking hand in
friendly game of poker where the stakes
are light. One OF the most amusing
games / ever saw was years ago in the
house OF a friend in which Charles A.
Dana, 2. 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.
Mr. Dana usually enters the San office
at II a. m. He first ascertaIns the cir
culatIOn of his newspaper on that morn
ing. lie 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 byhis hand. At times
he seems to draw inspiration from the
perusal of his exchanges. Then he
summons his stenographer and dictates
MANY pithv editorial paragraphs. For
wears Mr.. Dana has absolutely Pefus ed to
exchange with other newspapers He
subscrihes and pays tor those be wants,
and expects those who want the San TO DO
the same.
Mr.. Dana enjoys his work He is ever
in good humOr and ever accessible.
While debating, however, he will not
allow himself to be disturbed by even
an Office boy. He thus preserves his
train of thought unbrOken. He is over
whelmed with visitors. IL may be an eX-
President one moment, and a pugilist the
next. Both are treated with uniform and
consideration. Mr. Dana is a remarkable
llnguist, and his visitors are OF all nation
aliIies. He uses half a dozen different
languages day, and speaks them in each
case like a native, and he continues the
study of modern languages, his latest
acquisition being the Icelandic tongue.
Mr.. Dana lunches at Nash g. Fuller's
about D. m. His tavorte dish then is
crackers and milk, rarely does he take
anything else tor lunch. His main meal
is his dinner. He employs a chef de
cuisine that would do credit to eX-Presi-
dent Arthur, and he Tevels in the creations
Of his genius. On returning from lunch ne
frequently spends some time in the outer
Office indulging In bandiage with his as
sociates. He laughs heartily over good
story. On finding one In a country news
paper be passes il around and occasion
ally reads it. aloud 10 those near him.
lie has no editorial councils. When nee
essary he tells each editor in clear
conicse terms what be wants. Beyond
this they have free scope. His decisions
on suggestions are prompt and TO the
point. Rarely are they reversed. lie FREE
quently selects spondents for special
work and at times makes repOrtorial
details. As the afternoon wears away he
puts his desk IN apple-pie order. lie is
scrupulously neatA place for everything
and everything IN it's place is his motto.
In this respect he presents a marked con-
trast 10 his cid colleague Horace Greedy.
About O'Clock Mr. Dana enjoys a quiet
chat with his son Paul, throws his spring
overcoat over bis arm, slaps silk bat on
his head and goes nome.
A few words about his sanctum. IL is
plainly furnished and uncarpetod. The
song Of birds is not heard there. No
flowers load the air with perfume. The
furniture is a plain lounge, three chars
and three tables. A revolving pedestal
filled with books for quick reference
stands on his desk. The walls are covered
with pictures OF dead friends. The most
conspicuous ornament is q stuffed gray
owl perched on the revolving pedestal.
1t Is the gift Of Thomas 9. Acton. who
supplies a new owl whenever the old one
begins 70 succumb 10 time. A veined
marble mantel. yellow with age,is another
feature OF the sanotum. IL Is loaded With
old bric-a-brac and other curiOs. A
conspicuous picture is a photograph OF
Horace Greedy sitting at desk, with his