The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-25
The Type Setter.
Augusta Chronicle

Senator Gallinger's Grafton at the
dedication of the Childs-DreXel Home
for Aged Union Printers, at Colorado
Springs, on Thursday, was striking
and interesting address.
Senator Gallinger talked about prin-
ters like one Of the craft, and the fol
lowing picture of the typo will Dc rec
ognized by all who know him:
"There must be in printers ink an in
spiration to generosity and even prodl-
gality, so few of the craft ever become
rich. That fellow-feeling that makes
all the world akin glows ever in the
heart of the printer, opening his purse
to the needy and his soul to the suffer-
ing. His couch is freely shared with
a needy craftsman, bis case IS at the
service Of the wanderer, and his last
ration is fairly divided with the one
who knows not where to get his daily
bread. Nor is his bounty or bis charity
circumscribed by guild lines. Who so
hospitable everywhere as a printer?
Who so quickly touched by the appeal
of the afflicted? Thrift may not be one
of his virtues, but uiggardliness is not
one OF bis failings. His it is to share
generously with others. He has no iso-
lated pleasures. His present is never
burdened with the gloom. Of tomorrow.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof,n is the creed that too often
scantily clothes and feeds him and his
family. Yet the world is better for his
coming. He has scattered smiles OF
giadness along its pathway. He has
illumined its night. He has brushed
away the tears from some faces even II
they have stolen silently down his
own. He has lifted here and there a
cloud, that sunshine might penetrate a
saddened heart. And when at even
tide we measure his life's work, and
set off against his failings his many
kindly acts, we find that he has earned
a home, even if be has not made one. "
The foregoing picture is as truthful
as it is kind, and shows that the Sena-
tor is either a close observer or has
been there himself. The printer IS a
walking encyclopedia, for his case on a
daily paper is university whose cur
riculum is unrestricted and whose
teaching is liberal, though exact. His
task carries him through such a vast
variety of topics, and the subject mat
ter of his "takes" changes so frequent
", that his work is almost like reading
an unabridged dictionary.
But the amount of information good
printer acquire. is marvellous. He has
the names of leading politicians in all
parts at his fingers end, and discusses
the situation in India, the home-rule
issue in Ireland, or the banishing of the
Jews from Russia, with equal glioness.
The printers unpretentious bearing,
and frequently careless dress, give no
indication of the fund of information
which he really possesses. He is usu-
ally of rowing disposition, and sets
type on a metropolitan daily to-day
and on . country weekly tomorrow.
He rides in Pullman when he is flush,
or on the bumper, or counts cross-ties,
when be is strapped. He travels the
country from Canada to Mexico and
from Maine to California. He is close
observer, and, barring a tendency to use
rather lurid language, he is most en-
tertaining talker.
The printer grows up at his case from
| cub, and still holds to his "stick''
when he is gray-haired. He is devoted
to his work, and rarely ever goes at
| anything else. Once a printer, always
printer.