The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-11
WHITELAW REID.
The Choice of the Convention for
Vice President.

Whitelaw Reid, the nominee for Vice
President, is the widely-known editor and
proprietor of the New York Tribune. He
has but lately returned from a brilliant
sojourn at the Court Of France as Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
tiary of the United States.
Born on Oct. "a, 1887, at Xenia. Ohio, of
Scotch ancestry, he has ever preserved the
traits of character OF that nationality.
Robert Charlton Reid was his father,
while his mother, Marion Whitelaw Rom
aids, was direct descendant OF the fa-
nous Clan Ronalds OF the Highlands.
During his academic and college career
the reputation Of young Reid was of the
best, and before he had attained his nine
teenth year he graduated from Miami
University with the highest honors.
Money at that time, so far as the Reid
family was concerned was not too plenti-
ful, and young Whitelaw cast about him
for some employment. Almost immedi-
ately he was offered the princlpalship of
the graded school at South Charleston,
q. While the salary was small he was
frugal, and managed, in time, to save
enough to repay his father the money that
had been expended upon his college
course. One wear as "A school teacher
seemed enough for the young man.
At the age Of 20 he purchased the Xenia
xstUo, anu dS tnc cdlJOT vi Luht lOuFDAl ne
first gave vent to his ardent Republican
ism. He had entered politics long before
that time. however, as in the Fremont
campaign of 1856 he went on the stump
for his party and did excellent service.
Mr.. Reid first became real figure in
politics in 1860, when, although a warm
personal friend of Mr.. Chase he advo-
Gated Mr.. Lincoln for the Presidency
Outside OF Illinois, his was the first West
ern newspaper to take that position.
Later on the martyr President made his
famous speech at Cooper Union and then
started westward. Mr. Reid went TO Col
umbus TO meet him, escorted him TO
Xenia. and introduced him at the railway
station to the citizens of that place who
had congregated TO meet him.
From that hour until The present White
law Reid has been laboring for the well
fare of the Republican party. Immedi-
atey afterward he paid visit to Wash
the campaign by accepting the position
Of secretary Of the Greene County 'Repub-
lican committee.
During the war, Mr.. Reid was the bril-
lian war correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette, aud his ten-column story OF the
Battle of Pittsburg Landing was one of
the big things" in the Journalism Of the
period.
1t was, also, the foundation of his for
tuae, Ter the Prep+ieters- of the -6r=ctte
made him an owner. At once, almost he
became prominent correspondent at the
national capital, and was appointed
Librarian of the House of Representa-
tives. While in Washington he met Hor-
ace Greeley for the first time in his life.
IL was in 1865 that Mr.. Reid became editor
in charge OF the Cincinnati gazette, He
was also its correspondent during the i'm
parchment of President Johnson. If for
nothing else, his work there would have
gained for him reputation. Shortly
afterward he became an editorial writer
ON the paper which he practically owns
to-day.
In 1881 Mr.. Reid married a daughter of
ID. q. Mills, the California railroad mag
nate, and children have been born to
them. For some time before his mar
riage Mr.. Reid lived in good style on
Lexington avenue. In October, 1866, he
purchased the Madison avenue palace of
Henry Willard for S400,0 although the
original cost was over q, 600, 900. This
house is one of the most remarkable of
the many residences of New York. 1t has
a frontage of 200 feet and is largely com
posed of marble, finished in hard woods
and furnished in Oriental splendor. Mrs.
Reid is more devoted to her husband,
children and home than to society. She
has proved, however, how thoroughly
capable she is Of filling the highes social
position In the French capital. Mr.. Reid
mas an elegant country estate near White
Plains