New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-03

tribute to the accuracy with which Mr. Yates had
gagged the spirit and needs of his tme. the infu-
ence he had on the daily journalism of this coun-
try was in a way even more remarkable. So
ciety news was slowly to be a necessity.
The daily papers began TO have personal coll
umns and intelligence from Mayfair and Bel
gravia. BY way Of decorum they printed 1t as
q pendant 10 the Court Circular and still do 1t
borrows responsibility from Majesty. and
from royalty in general. They began also to
understand the value Of the paragraph. and to
perceive that If you only wanted TO bring down
a sparrow. fowng piece is a more servceabe
weapon than a sixty-ton gun. The columns Of
London Day by Day" and Paris Day by Day
and This Mornings News"-which is seldom
news,-and the London Letter in the London
paper itself. and the various forms under which
miscellaneous personal paragraphs and social
paragraphs scheduled may all trace their
origin TO Mr. Yates AS London paper of the
migh;ier sort seldom cares TO own an obligation
to an individual. this one was not Acknowledged.
But 1t exists.
1t is not necessary TO express an opinion on the
question whether these and other notifications
of London journalism beneficial, the re-
verse. Mr. Yates. for his part. never had any
doubt whatever that his position and that Of
had broken ground. He had taken a considerable
risk. He had embarked upon an adventure
which might lead to fame and fortune, o. to other
less desirable results Fortune. as said, he did
win. and fame also % a kind which he valued.
Sir George Lewis in defending him for Ibe
spoke Of his client man who had made a
name Of which he proud. There are stl
4 may be conjectured. men who do not look upon
society journalism on unmiXed good Those
who practise it may not always approve ~;
still less those who do not practise IT,
Some Of them might admit that II has vulgariZed
life; that decacy. refinement. and a scrupulous
regard for the sanctity Of private life are not It's
distinguishing characteristics. The World" how
ever though Il printed much which In other times
would not have been printed al all. kept within
we-marked lines There never a time when
Il lived on scandal. 1t was more profitable as
well as more seemly 10 exploit the innocent II
not dignifed appetite u the middle classes for
gossip about those whom they frankly called
their betters Nor has society journalism In this
country-cer,ain notorious papers excepted. all
Of which or nearly all have come to utter g'.cf
ever shown that spirit Of enterprise" which
has led some American papers 10 adopt l,bel ~
a profession. or TO deny that private He has any
rights whatever which the publicity Of journal
Of the Anericanization Of the English Press. Il
has never been Americanized 70 that extent. or
in that way. The names OF women in private
life are still held sacred by all bat the baser
sort.
have known Mr. Yates a long time. but never
had any right 10 reckon myself among his !nt-
mate friends or, perhaps. among his friends a.
all We were on terms Of easy acquaintance.
/ nothing more. There much in him 10 Ike.
! He was genial. cordial honest in his likes and
honest in his dislikes. and ortspoken about
both Curously sensitive. wthal as almost
everybody who knew him came t. know
sooner or later In some matters IN which
most men conform to the general opinion
/ Of the world Mr.. Yates had his own
/ standards. OF malice or meanncss l should
saw none. He attacked his enemies in front
and not from the rear. II II We're sometimes
with a CLUB that probably was the weapon
which lay nearest his hand. AS writer he had
no very marked style OF his own. nor any very
rare Gift for literature. He found out the work
which was his to do and did II, perhaps as well
| as II could be done. No journalist IN whatever
! branch Of his business. need imagine that his
work has any permanent value. lie lives from
/ hand to mouth. and from day 10 day. or as In
Mr. Yates's case from week 70 week; period
long enough to insure that the last essay or
opinion had been forgotten before the next was
penned or printed. lie had some reputation as 4
/ talker and until of late years his voice and man
ner had robustness which effective in ii
mixed company. The paper he founded and
owned and long edited lives after him. Of course,
and Is his best epitaph. q. w. 5.