New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-12
OBITUARY.
zEBULON LEWIS WHITE

many years valued member OF Tho Tribunes stan
who passed away after much suffering on the last day
OF the year. Thus closed useful and honorable
career in journalism. which leaves behind it not alone
the recollection Of conscientious devotion to the
duties Of arduous profession. exhibited through
long series of years. but the memory OF snguarly
gentle and kindly nature.
Mr.. White came of New England stock, having been
born In Mortified, Mass, in 1872 His struggles to
obtain college education illustrated the qualities Of
perseverance, and thoroughness to which he largely
owed bis subsequent success. While only d lad ne
worked IN small foundry owned by his father, and
on farm, and later in cardboard factory, to get
the money to pay HIS college expenses He entered
Tufts College and graduated, retaining always
thereafter lively interest in the affairs Of that In
stitution His first newspaper work few stray
articles for temperance journal. lie entered the
city department Of The Tribune reporter about
1867, and won steady advancement from one post TO
another lnt two years later, he sent 10 Wash
ing'Or ~ the chief Of The Tribune bureau, place
'Ti1 be retained for more than fen years. This
was undoubtedly the NEST important period Of his
career, and here he did the work for which he will be
longest remembered His qualifications for such post
were exceptional HIS temperament was naturally Judi
cia He fair.minded, was endowed with cool and
sound Judgment never knew what IT. was to lose HIS
head amid the whrl Of gossip and rumor in Washing
ton. His mind had powers Of assimilation and re-
tonton that truly remarkable Il was not an
unusual feat with him to listen to long statement
by public officer involving mass Of detail, without
taking note, and then reproduce It in an article
filling several columns Of this paper, In which there
would not be single error. His accuracy was
indeed Of his most notable characteristics
az a journalist. Exactness In all its state
ments IS among the first aims Of wellconduct-
cd newspaper, vague popular impression TO The
contrary Notwithstanding aud Mr.. White possessed this
habit OF mind TO degree that made every line from
his pen authoritative He seemed almost exempt from
the human liability TO error. With all these judicial
qualities he had great capacity for hard work, and
that indispensable requisite Of the successful coespon-
dent, nose for news" number Of the more notable
trumpbs Of the period during which he was In
Washington were his. One Of them, the publication
Of the Washington Treaty IN advance of its official
promulgaron, led to Mr. Whites being imprisoned by
the Senate in 1871 along with Mr.. III. J.
Ramsdel, then Tribune correspondent and
since dead for contempt in refusing TO d.
vulge the source Of his information The imprispn-
nent consisted merely, however, in confinement III
Senate committee room, where they we're visited by
large MURDERS Of friends daily. While it-lasted the
salaries of Mr. White and his colleagues wire doubled
by this paper
It was more, however, by the average quality Of
bis work that Mr.. White made BIS record His letters
gave him a wide reputation, and many distinguished
learned not only to respect him as scruplously Just,
careful and able observer Of the course OF public
affairs but to cherish his friendship for the sake Of
his pure and amlable character Probably no Wash
Ingon correspondent has enjoyed the confidence
and esteem OF a larger number Of the leading men Jf
tho country. II would be useless 10 attempt any
resume Of the work done by Mr.. White. IL neceS
sarily covered every prominent feature OF legislation
at Washington He took great interest In the silver
question, and in ls7e'T7 wrote valuable series Of
letters to The Tribune that subject. SCne of his
best-known work done I'm tours Of The country dur
Ing the recesses Of Congress- HIS long and interesting
seriea Of letters upon the Granger movement, when
that was at It's height. gave the people Of the East
their first intelligent comprehension of It. His great
familiarity with politics led to his being dispatched to
centres OF political excitement He described for the
readers OF this paper the contentious In Louisiana IN
1876 and many other memorable events.
In October 1880, Mr.. White resigned his position
mon The Trbunes staff to accept the editorship OF
The Providence Press" His efforts TO build up the
paper undermined a constitution that was never no
bust though endowed with marked tenaciy Six years
later no withdrew with sadly impaired health, aud for
time his life was despalred Of He rallied however,
and resumed desutory literary work in this city. lie
wrote a number OF articles for this paper, and also
contributed 10 "The Forum The North American
Review Haper's Magazine and other periodicals
Some months ago he became the Washington cor
respondent OF The Philadelphia Pffss,' put iast'
failing health compelled him TO r&nqulsn ".
little more than month ago he went 20 me ban1nas.
accompanied by his wife aud mother In the hope tha'
. winters stay would give him back bis strcng,n.
put the progress OF consumption was hasteueu py
other complicatsons and he died within three WeeAs
after his arrival Before the body was placed on board
shSn hrlef services were held. the Rev. Robert EVans
~ he English Cathedral officiating, and the American
onsu ami q number "f Americans as wen a. 80 rs
dents being present The nternent VIII oe III WASH
Mr. White was twice married, his wives being SIS
,ers daughters Of NJ. J. Drummond Oh New DIN
,,arlv Well known as the editor OF Masonic paper
n, this civ Three children. besides the widow, sur
,,Ivs Mr. White In religious faith Mr. Wh'e WI t W.
earnest Un;versast, and the branch OF mat chui0n "
washington owed much TO his efforts