The San Francisco call., 1897-02-06

by another, were made sources of peren-
NAL delight as they were mastered by his
pen. Statistics were arranged IN such a
way as 10 avoid being dull and distaste-
full Argument was embellished by irony
and strong, masterful humor, with
peculiar flavor all lis own.
Invectiye was so handled that it caused
those against whom it was directed to
vince and smart. More than any other
editorial writer in California he possessed
Infinite variety" in his treatment of
themes constantly presented and repre-
sented. His mind was a fountain of
quaint thoughts.
But at no time could Mathew G. Upton
be considered a trifler. He was always
very much in earnest. His flying sar-
casms were aimed with deadly certainty
and intent at some target which was
rarely If ever missed entirely.
His humor did not detract from the
logic OF situation as he clearly saw it,
and his readers never lost the point that
he perspicaciously made. At all times
and al all seasons he had the public good
before him as his incentive. Fearless and
aggressive he was at the same time self
contained and cooi- i-headed in the treat
ment of questions of great public concern.
Therefore he was not betrayed into max
ing frequent mistakes. He thought sew
eral times before he wrote and no article
was permitted to appear from his pen
until he had carefully STUDIED over it and
considered it in the proof slips.
His industry was unsparing and un-
tiring. He kept close account of all
financial statements made by City and
State officials, and knew better. proba bIy.
than anyman in San Francisco inst how
the balances stood, on any given day, in
the hands of public officials IN California
Every financial report submitted by a
public official was studied diligently and
duly digested. The same systematic re-
search was applied to legislative meas
ures, local, State and National, and he
was an authority whose accuracy could
be relied upon implicitly as to facts of
many kinds.
He was the stanch and intelligent
friend OF tie dollar limit" in San Fran
cisco, the stout and uncompromislng foe
of corruption wherever it reared its head.
the doughty champion of the people in
the great struggle 10 throw off the grow
ing incubus of Chinese immigration, the
keen analyst, logical reasoner and astute
observer who when the Bulletin a very few
years ago attacked the Pacific Railroad
funding scheme in its incipIency pierced
Mr.. Huntington's armor with searching
keenneSs and helped to lay the foundation
for others to builu on.
No more striking proof of the clever
ness of the editorial management of the
Bulletin politically was probably ever af-
forded than when, q few years ago, John
f. Swift and Washington Bartlett were
named as candidates for Governor respec-
lively by the Republican and Democratic
parties of California, both nominations
being made to catch the Endorsement of
the Bulletin. Politicians laughed and
shook their heads at this unique spec
tacle.
Personally Mr.. Upton was very esti-
mable gentleman, the embodiment of
honor and probity, firm and true friend
and good enemy. His virtues were
many and sterling. He was a valuable
citizen, an indulgent and kind husband
and father. Those who knew him most
intimately admired him most. BY these
he will be long mourned, his taking away
from life being an irrepara bic loss. He
leaves a widow and three children, one
son and two daughters.