The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-24

man VINO mHue the name OF D1uh ihNuOub
| wherever newspapers are known.
There 10 still . third obstacle for him to
overcome before he can control the sun.
| and to those who know him that obstacle
| Is considered greater even than the other
two. II 10 raised BY the present publisher
| Of the paper. Mr.. Laffnn. Mr.. Lafan Will
| himself strive for control OF the Sun. ard
| as he Is a man OF undoubted ability, e.
pecialiy In business sense, be may sue
| coed. While his relations with his late
| chief were at all times harmonious. Mr..
| Laffan has little regard for young Mr.
Dana and considers him entirely too weak
for his fathers successor.
Mr.. Laffan is supposed to have y COM
Portable fortune OF his ewn. and has IN
fluential friends who hope to see him at
the head OF the establishment. Should be
succeed In his ambitions, the Sun would
probably suffer in journalistic sense. but
It would be likely TO return 70 the ranks
OF money makers.
CAREER OF MR.. LAFFAN.
Mr.. Laffan's life has been one that has
fitted him for the position he occupies.
He was born In the North OF Ireland, but
came to America when young man. With
brother he established the Bulletin In
Baltimore. weekly paper which was prac-
ticaly the first illustrated paper in Ameri-
ca. Mr.. Laffan is an artist OF no mean
ability, and did his own illustrating. As
weekly the paper prospered. Then 1t was
turned into daily and was too sprightly
for s.aid old Baltimore and 1t was no
longer q success.
| Thomas Sharp, the old time railroad ma
nipulator made Laffan passenger agent OF
the Long Island railway. While acting In
that capacity ne began editing a dramatic
| column In the Sun. Mr.. Dana recognized
10. ~txll
Isaac England, then publisher Of the Sun.
died. about fifteen years ago. made him
head Of the business end Of the paper.
II ia understood that Mr.. Laffan has
for some time represented J. Pierpont Nor
gan's interest In the Sun. II this be true
he will more than likely succeed in his
ambition to control the paper. This would
not be the case. however. II q cash Gus
toner presented himself with desire to
pay a high figure for famous publication.
Chester A. Lord, who. next TO Mr. Dana
has been In editorial control. will probably
retain his position with the paper.
For number OF years Paul Dana had
been associated with his father In editorial
work on the Sun. or late Mr.. Dana's i'll
ness had made 1t necessary for him 10 re-
linquish active editorial control and the re-
sponsibility for the conduct OF the paper
had passed into other hands
Mr.. Dana's spirit pervaded the entire
Office His llkngs insensibly became the
likings OF his STAFF, his prejudices were i'm
mediately absorbed and assimilated His
genial off-hand ways were the ways of the
Office. II is TO this source that Is directly
attributable that atmosphere OF good fell
iowship and common cause which made
the Sun office so pleasant working place,
that won 1t the name OF club among news
paper workers generally. The news coll
umns, under the charge OF men who knew
him through and through, were wholly
colored by his personality. He had no
Sunday editor. That position he filled him
self. Every article that for many years
appeared in his Sunday pages was read in
proof by himself. and that line for lire
on Fridays he himself made up the sun.
uay paper the schedules passing directly |
from his hands to the composing room.
And ye- he found time to become a mas |
ter Of several languages. speaking and |
wrltihg French In particular with a purity |
mat continually surprised Parlskans. He |
found time to keep abreast of literature |
not only American, but English. French |
and German as well, to delve In phllosouhy
10 stand in the van OF popular scientific |
knowledge. He was more prone to dis
tribute praise than blame. He sought 10 |
develop common interest, to inspire
efforts. "es'
This is democratic office" was fro
quent phrase with him.
ny II he meant there were two ella sses
Few distinctions. All men were equal An
office boy could walk at will into Ms nr,-
Vate onice and lay his grievances before
MIN, sure OF sympathetic, kindly treat
meht; he was often in his city room. He
called many by their first names He knew
an who contributed to any department az |
lhe paper His cheerful voice was often
raised In laughter as he exchensed foxes
win members Of his editorial and r.per-
torial STATS
Inc shabbiness OF the Sun office and n,
"a Mr' l'ana private room has been .reauent-
:, Ioniihehted upon. He was proud OF 1t.
IL mas been reported of him that as 10
looktd upon the costly modern structures
W ms contemporaries, he once remarked
WIN an almost triumphal smile. that with
"ii lneir DISPLAY none could issue a paper
auuaimg that which came daily from the
meanest building Of them all
me approach to the editorial rooms wa,
Az wv hlshts OF dark, narrow and often
airty wooden stairs. These Mr.. Dana
CLIMBED daily for many years.
WORKSHOP OF THE SUNS EDITop
n's own Office was diminutive. A few
ancient and worn out book shelves. an old
and battered desk and several dilapidated
shalrs were Its chief furnishings. The f,oor
was uncarpeted. In one corner stood
shail, square wooden table, which doubt
LIS, yehrs ago, when new. cost a couple OF
sol yarS' rms table was favorite working
pace OF the man who made the Sun.
!, IN inns room he received all his visitors.
'nahy OF the most distinguished men OF
ne country have sat In commcr 80
'eattu chairs there. Many more. unknown
- laihe or wealth or even standing. have
'een MIN there. He was probably the most
i 's rich man OF affairs in New York
,m aoor was open always to any one NOT
trunk or rufflan. '''' nv
:. ana here Is the place for an incident very
..serlpuve OF tho man. The city room
Vas always open to any conner A ralI,nc
Sith swinging door easily opened was al,
nat separated editors and serorters from
my VINO had ambition enough to mount
nc iorplcding stains. The innumerabla
ranks and bores who frequent ne,ysnanas
'nices, making life wretched for busy
~ u, nan as free access as those who came
N legitimate business. oa''e
This condith ION wa. 49,. -,