Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-08-26
CHARLES A. DANA's HOBBIES,

A tradition Of Washington newspape
row In connection with prize-nghts con-
Germs no less Distinguished an editor than
Charles A. Dana, Of New York. Two
things 10 which Mr.. Dana IL especially
interested arc pugilism and dueling; they
am unit almost to mania with him. OF
q hundred articles submitted TO him on
subjects ranging from mushroom culture
to amending the Constitution of the Re-
public, the one which he would select for
his most attentive reading would be au
account OF the latest ''scrapplng contest"
between two middle-w weights out In In
diana. At one time, says the Washing
ton correspondent OF the Hartford Post.
the Sun had q well known Journalist as
its Washington correspondent, who made
its news columns noteworthy by admira-
BILE reports OF the proceedings of Congres 8
and the serious work OF the executive de-
pnrtmentB.
His letters and dispatches were extern
eively copied, and advertised the paper in
a very profitable way. One day this
correspondent applied for q leave of alb
sence and was granted It, n man from the
local force of the home Office being sent
over TO take bis place. The youngster
was green hand at the class OF work
done in Washington Ho had seen
almost nothing OF legislation in any Of It's
phases, and the routine and person uel of
the executive departments were wholly
unknown TO him. Rather important
events were on the carpet at this time,
and he was painfully conscious of his in
capscity to do them Justice. While he
was thus laundering along, news reached
him that duel was among the things of
the near future in Richmond, Va, where
two leading politicians had passed lately
from words to blows In one Of their dis.
putes. A bright idea seized him, aud he
dropped everything and bent his steps
toward Virainia's capital.
fair supply of brass stood him In
good stead, and he found his way IA the
principals OF the affair, and managed to
get enough material from them for col
unn ht spicy interview for the next days
Sun. Next morning, shortly after day
break, the parties met in wood short
distance from the city and exchanged
shots. The correspondent had not been
invited to tho entertainment, but he was
there all the same, having dogged the
footsteps of everybody concerned aud sat
up all night to he sure and miss nothing.
lie perched on q fence at short dis
lance, noted every word and look, every
motion Of hand and eye of the duelisis,
their seconds and their surgeon. That
afternoon he managed to get another Ia
terview with each principal, aud the next
mornings Sun contained not only the
exclusive account of the occu renee, but
one so admirably substantial that, when
Mr.. Dana read 1t, he sent for his mauag.
ing editor.
"Who did this Richmond duel"
"Mr. Blank."
"What ia he doing down therei !
thought he was local reporter"
he was seat to Washington to take
the place of Mr. Dash who has gone of
on his vacation. / am sorry Blank
should have neglected bis duties just
at this busy time and gone down 10
Richmond without permission, but sup
pOst-"
Neglect his dutIesW roared Mr.. Dana.
"Raise his salary SIS a week and tell
him his place Is permanent. That's the
kind OF man we want in Washington.
He did light in assuming the response.
bility. 1t takes u born journalist TO know
enough TO make choice betweena stupid
batch of government news aud lrst-
class duel story like that"