Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-07-07

Rsrsonnl Characteristics Of the Editor Of
tho n. r. Sum.

;
circulation of his newspaper that morn
ing: He next opens his personal letters
and glances at the proofsheets of articles
left over. He makes many alterations
and eTaendations., A few screeds are
killed outright. After thoroughly sitting
his proofs he scans the leading newspa-
pers outside of New York, using the scis-
sors freely. Most of the newspaper ex-
tracts in his journal are culled BY his
hand. At times he seems to draw in
spiration from the perusal of his ex-
changes. Then he summons his steno-
grapher and dictates many pithy edi-
torial paragraphs. For years Mr.: Dana
has absolutely refused to exchange with
other newspapers. He subscribes and
pays for those he wants, and expects
those who want the Sun 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 offce-boy. He thus preserves his
train of thought unbroken.~ He is over
whelmed with visitors. 1t may be an
ex-President one moment and a pugilist
the next Both are treated with uniform
courtesy and consideration. Mr.: Dana
is a remarkable linguist, and his visi-
tors are of all nationalities. He uses
half dozen different languages a day,
and speaks them in each case like a ma
tive. And he continues the study of
modern languages, his latest acquisition
being the Icelandic tongue.
Mr.. Dana lunches about 2 p. m. His
g. - II, s, H.
y does he take anything else for lunch.
His main meal is his dinner. He en-
ploys 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 some time in the outer Office in
dulging in badinage with his associates.
He laughs heartily over good story.
On finding one in a country newspaper
he passes it around and occasionally
reads it aloud to those near him. He
has no editorial councils. When neces-
sary he tells each editor in clear, concise
terms what he wants Beyond this they
have free scope. His decisions and sug-
gestions are prompt and to the point.
Rarely are they reversed. He frequent
ly selects correspondents for special
work and at times makes reportorial de-
tails. As the afternoon wears away he
puts his desk in apple-pie order He is
scrupulously neat. "A place for every
thing and everything in its place. is his
motto. In this respect he presents a
marked contrast to his old colleague,
Horace Greeley. About o'clock Mr..
Dana enjoys quiet chat with his son
Paul, throws his spring overcoat over
his arm, slaps a 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 flow ers load the air with perfume.
The furniture is a plain ]oung e, three
chairs. and three tables. A revolving
pedestal filled with books for quick re-
ference stands on his desk. The walls
are covered with pictures of dead friends.
The most conspicuous ornament is
stuffed gray owl, perched on the revolv-
ing pedestal. 1t is the gift of Thomas
C. Acton, who supplies new owl when
ever the old one begins to succumb to
time. Aveined marble mantel, yellow
with age, is another feature of the sane
tum. 1t is loaded with old bric-a-brac
and other curios. A conspicuous pict-
ure is a photograph of Horace Greeley
sitting at a desk, with his overcoat col
lar turned under, intently reading a
copy of the Tribune: His old soft hat
lies on the table in front of him. This
strikingly realistic picture was stolen by
photographer while Greeley was in
one of bis abstracted moods. The car
toons of Mr.. Dana make him appear
much older than he is in 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 off all
of its cares and annoyances and goes in
for genuine enjoyment. He keeps good
horses and uses them. Much of his time
is spent in the fresh sea-breeze of his
Island of Dosores. All this preserves
his health and his grasp of mind. With
his intellect undlmmed, he is the last of
those grand old editors who place New
York journalism on its present plane
Cor. Chicago Tribune.