The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-24
MIR. DANA,S MANIA.
A Bright Washington Correspondent Who
Made Himself Solid.

Washington Special in Hartford Post. sc
A tradition of Washing ton Newspaper Row
in connection with prize fights, concerns no
less distinguished an editor than Charles
A. Dana, of New York. Two things in which
Mr.. Dana is especially interested are pugi-
lism and dueliDg. They amount almost to
a mania with him. Of a hundred articles
submitted to him on subjects ranging from
mushroom culture to amending the Consti-
tuition of the Republic, the one which he
would select for his most attentive reading
would be an account of the latest "scrap-
ping contest" between two middle-weights
out in Indiana. At one time the Sun
had a well-known journalist as its
Washington correspondent, who made its
news columns noteworthy. by admirable
reports Of the proceedings of Congress and
the serious work of the executive depart
ments. His letters and dispatches were
extensively copied, and advertised the
paper in very profitab BILE way. One day
absence and was granted it. man from the
local force of the home office being sent
over to take his place. The yOunster was
green hand at the class of work done in
Washington. He had seen almost nothing
of legislation in any of its phases; and the
routine and personnel of the executive de-
partments was wholly unknown to him.
Rather important events were on the car
pet at this time, and he was painfully
conscious of his incapacity to do them
justice. While he was thus laundering
along. news reached him that a duel was
among the things of the near future
in Richmond, Va, where two leading poll
ticians had lately. passed from words to
blows in one of their disputes. A bright idea
bent his steps toward Virglnia's capital. A
fair supply of brass stood him in good
stead. and he found his way to the princi-
pals in the affair, and managed to get
enough material from them for column of
ov,1a spfa fhA Ioxrta
Next morning, soon after daybreak. the
parties met in wood short distance from
the city and exchanged shots. The CORE
spOndent had not been invited tO.the enter
tainment, but he was there all the same,
having logged the footsteps of everybody
concerned. and sat up all night to be sure
and miss nothing. He perched on a fence
at short distance, noted every word and
look, evey motion of hand and eye of the
duelists, the seconds and their surgeons.
That afternoon he managed to get another
interview with each principal, and the next
mornings Sun contained not only the ex-
elusive account of the occurrence. but one
so admirably circumstantial that, when
Mr.. Dana read it in print, he sent for his
managing editor. -.
"W6o did this Richmond duell"
"Mr. Blank"
"What she doing down therei Thought
he was a local reporter"
."He was sent to Washington to take the
place of Mr.. Dash, who has gone off for his
vacation. am sorry Blank should have
neglected his duties just at this busy time
and gone down to Richmond without per-
mission, but suppose"
Neglect his duties!" roared Mr. Dana.
Raise his salary SIS a week. and tell
him his place is permanent. That's the
kind of q man we want in Washington. He
did right in assuming the responsibility.
1t takes born journalist to know enough
to make choice between a stupid batch of
government news and a tirst-class duel
story like that"