The San Francisco call., 1897-02-06
HIS TRENCHANT PEN
At REST FOREVER
Mathew G. Upton, the Vet
eran journalist, Passes
Away.
A Second Stroke of Apoplexy
Carries Off the Brilliant
Writer at Berkeley.
Of Long and Varied Experience, H
Work for the People and
Against Their Foes.

M. G. Upton, the veteran journalist and
editorial writer, died last evening at $3.50
o'clock at his home, 24I9 Durant avenue,
Berkeley.
He had been suffering from a compIica-
tion of ailments for four years, but up to
the last year of his life he continued at in
tervals to WELD his trenchant pen. The
immediate cause OF death was apoplexy,
the second stroke falling upon him yester-
day morning about 10 O'Clock. His wife
and family with the exception of his
eldest son, w. B. Upton. civil engineer
now in Washington. D. CO. were with him
at the last. Everything was done to avert
death, but without avail. His loss will
be mourned by large circle of friends.
Mathew G. Upton was native of Ire
land and graduate of Dublin University.
In earlv life lie went to New York to bet
ter his fortunes, and there he began his
career as a journ alist. His energy and
force of character were fully equal to his
culture. He was soon known in all the
newspaper offices of the metropolis as an
efficient and conscien tious journalist. He
was city editor of the New York Herald
for time, where he acquired q wide
knowledge OF men and methods.
He came to California in the early days.
somewhere about 1852. An expert stem
ographer, something of a rara avis in
those days, his services became speedily
much in demand and he earned large sum s
in that way, but he was born journalist.
He connected himself with the Herald In
this City. with which were other writers
who had been on the staff of the New
York Herald.
His duties were multifarious. There
Tqlanranhip He To-
Gals, editorials, paragraphs and articles of
all sorts. all with equal facility and readi-
ness. Had his advice been followed the
Herald would not have been found in OPP
position to the Vigilance Committee and
probably would not have met with dis
aster.
When he went from the Herald an edi-
torial position awaited him on the old
Alta. He was the principal editor and
writer oil that journal when 1t was power
commercially and politically in the State
While he was guiding the editorial policy
OF the Alta the railroad company sought
to acquire possession of Goat Island. Mr..
Upton fought that scheme with such skill
and persistency that he was appointed one
of the committee of five who were named
to go to Washington to confer with Presl-
dent Grant To his influence much of the
well-known success of that mission was
very Justly attributed. The argument
employed TO influence President Grant
was that 1t was military necessity for the
government to retain possession OF the
island.
In 1872 or 1873 Mr.. Upton was invited to
become one of the editorial writers OF the
Bulletin. There his literary style, which
had been good, was developed to perfec-
tlon- de was master of English. He
wrote laboriously, carefully and slowly.
The result was finished product, consid
cred from a purely literary standpoint
He was concise, polished and erudite, and
his learning extended into many fields
In the direction whittier the natural bent
of his talent led him his mind was encyclo-
pedic.
In connection with the editorial columns
Of the Bulletin during the period extend
irg up to 1895 he exerted a strong influ-
ence during continuous engagement of
nearly quarter of a century. George X.
Fitch, the veteran journalist and long
Tune proprietor of The Bulletin, was his
chief.
Both came early to California and took
a keen, instructive interest in public
affairs and public men. Their retentive
memories were akin. With them all m en-
OF good Will counseled. Only evii-doers
crlnged when they cracked without mercy
ana having an eye to the public good, the
editorial whip
Mr.. Upton's intimate acquaintance with
the pioneers and the history of the early
days, enabled him to Judge with almost
unerring accuracy the moti7es of large
numb Der OF men who have moved con-
spicuously on the public stage in Califor-
MA He knew of their abilities-and he
always carried a scrapbook. His services
may be best understood by California peo-
pie from the statement that he was the
Bulletins chief editorial writer On politi-
cal and municipal affairs for many years.
Subjects which would be dry, treated