Evening journal., 1896-12-23
HE IS A NOTED EDITOR.
Edwin X. Hart's Twenty-Five
Years in Journalism.
HAS HELD IMPORTANT POSITIONS

HAS HELD IMPORTANT POSITIONS
A FORMER WILMINGTON LAD
WHO HAS WORKED HIS WAY TO
THE FRONT RANK his POLITI-
CAL INFLUENCE AND PERSONAL
TRAITS.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 23.-Thc inn
personality of journalism often con-
ceals from public view. TO a great ex-
tent, men who toll ceaselessly in the
editorial room and exercise large in-
fuence in public affairs. Here are some
facts concerning one of these of an in
teresting character to the citizens OF
Wilmington. where he formerly lived.
Edwin Kirkman Hart is a Chester
county boy who left the public school
the only college he ever knew-at l3.
and In Wilmington, the Winter be-
fore the war, began life as an errand
boy, a newsboy and afterward as an
apprentice boy in q book bindery and
youthful soldier i'm the Maryland cam
paign at the time of the last rebel in
vasiOn. I'm 1864. when Chambersburg
was burned and Washington had it's
closest call He was such an ardent
Young patriot ne had to leave the bind
cry on account of the secession pro-
clivities of the boss He came to
Philadelphia in April, 1865, the day
LincOln's body was brought here. He
struggled with the crowd all the next
day Sunday with the characteristic
grit to see the remains of the martyred
president, and succeeded an hour after
dark
The frendless young stranger en-
tered a book store, and q few years
later journalism as an editorial writer
on the brilliant. but short lived
Morning Post, under the late John d.
StOciOn and with the Young boys
(John Russell and James Rankim, and
Major Carson now of the Ledger He
won his spurs unaided and i'm a year,
at %, was one of Colonel FOrney's
ablest aids on the Press When Ma
poleon fell at Sedan i'm 1870, the young
editor had to furnish at midnight, on
short notice. while burdened with other
duties. the leader on the event of the
day, "The Downfall of the French EN-
pire, for which he was highly compli- !
mented by his chief upon his return:
but the public of course. gave the ,
learned Doctor Mckenzie the credit. |
when he had unexpectedly taken anight |
"om. I'm the latter part of 1872 Hart |
then with the Newark IN. J,) Adver- !
tiser, was In confidential communica- |
tion with Schuyler COlfax. who had |
been selected as the successor of Hor-
ace Greeley. and who had taken a great
fancy to him, to go with him to the
New York Tribune but the hapless |
vice-president fell into the Oakes Ames |
Credit Mobilier maelstreum and the !
scheme fell through, Whitelaw Reid |
seizing the opportunity to secure the |
paper for himself and his friends.
In 1875, when the Philadelphia Times |
was founded, Hart became one of the |
most valued members of its staff. Upon |
leaving for Pittshurg, two years later |
under glowing promises, which were |
never kept Colonel Mcclure gave him |
a fine editorial testimonial for ability |
and fidelity. In the Iron City the new |
Telegraph editor smOte the big ring /
hip and thigh, and il returned the COM /
pliment after failing to secure his sur |
render, by getting control of the paper 4
and he was compelled to retire. During |
the memorable railroad riots i'm Pitts /
burg i'm 1877 Mr. Hart's course i'm reso- |
lutely facing the mob spirit and i'm up |
holding law and order, won for him the /
highest respect of all classes. He was |
personally thanked by a high railroad |
official and warmly commended by |
many leading citizens;at the same time |
he valiantly defended the legitimate |
rights of labor. and his friendly SER |
vices were appreciated by the working !
men.
On the 1st of March next Mr.. Hart |
will have completed seventeen years !
faithful service with the Philadelphia !
Evening Telegraph, for the past seven /
and half wears as its leading editorial |
writer His work has attracted wide at |
tention amongst public men and i'm the |
business and political arena. In many |
notable instances ii has been errone- |
Ously regarded as the contribution OF |
special experts in finance. etc. The |
wide range OF topic discussed has sur /
prised every one. showing thorough |
acquaintance with American history, |
economies. social science and religious |
questions affecting all denominations. /
and problems of vital interest to an /
classes of the people. reproduction |
of many of these essays, i'm book form, |
in response to repeated kindly sugges- !
tiOns, is contemplated with an intro |
duction by the authors longtime /
friend. John Walker Jackson the bril- |
liant Methodist divine. Mr.. Hart's |
readiness and capacity for work is |
marvellous He writes nothing. but |
dictates everything to a very rapid /
typewriter, doing his days work with |
out notes. and much more than the av- |
erage editorial writer within the space |
of an hour and half every morning. |
and it is seldom that any correction is |
necessary in the proof even as to |
dates and figures. His ready reference /
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