The sun., 1897-12-27

then his contemporary. including even
Mr.. ChiI,ls. He saw the tables turned
upon the men who had advised him to
seek a retreat in kirbrdc's for daring to
publish good paper at a cent, and who
dcrisivcy hailed 'Thc Record in those
days as the Stable Boys Own,' or the
Railway Gift Organ And now it is
curious to note that in this climax of his
trouble his newspaper is the one great
source Of profit which is expected chiefly,
to tide him over the crisis in his affairs.
This is supposed to be worth not far from
Sl75, 600 to 1925, 600 year. Mr.Singerly
this morning announces that in 1896 it's
profits were $4,000, a revenue exceeded
only by The Ledger when, years ago,
under Childs, it paid an average profit Of
probably $1,000 a day. That bit Of Il
newspaper starveing which Singerly
nourishpd into life again at Third and
Chestnut streets has become his main
stay. 1t has been his sheet anchor
against the storm and clamor of creditors
and it is now his great resource in pre-
pairing to regain his lost ground.
'Mr. Singerly has regretted that he
never entered journalism earlier in his
career. He has enjoyed not simply its
profits, but quite as much the sense OF
power that came with Il paper read by
more people than any two papers in
Philadelphia had ever before been
known to reach. The quality Of the man
is perhaps best shown in the loyalty OF
ali his men, from the veteran Jack
Baily down to the latest tyro on the re-
porters' staff All OF the responsible
members of the concern share with the
trusted Baly the habit Of accosting him
as boss, and all the Juniors who have
not been admitted to that degree OF
familiarity also generally speak Of him
in a half-affectionate, half-admiring way
as the boss or, occasionally, as the
'old man. No millionaire has eyer
been more democratic in his habits. A
man who might enter his office would be
just as likely as not to see Mayor Fitler
or.P. A. B. Widener or Austin Corbln in
one room and Sam Joscphs. George
Mountjoy and the Squire in the other.
He has always had something OF that
Grant-likc blindness in not seeing quick
ly when he was imposed upon by men
who have used him as convenience.
He has also had in large degree the
Grant-like fidelity to friendship, no
matter how humble or insigniii-
cant might be the man to whom
he felt that he was under an
obligation. If he could haves heard
all the pleasant and grateful things that
were said Of him yesterday by men who
had not forgotten the good-hearted deeds
he has forgotten he would have had
some compensation to nerve him for the
struggle which he will surely make to
retrieve his fortunes. and from which, as
long as his physical stamina holds good,
it is safe to predict that he will emerge
the winner. He is one of those few men
above sixty years OF age who keep in
touch with the times in the spirit and
elasticity of youthful mind, and whom
his fellows will be inclined to come for,
ward and help. If all those whom he
has helped were to 60 to the
Chestnut Street Bank this morning to
help him, the reserve police would not
be able to handle the crowd. The throng
about the banks doors yesterday would
sink into insignifcance. A more tender
hearted man under the bristlcs and spikes
which he sometimes has displayed is sci.
dom found To his home he has been
known to come in the late winter even
ings with melting eyes as he has told OF
some ragged little fellow selling papers
on Chestnut street who he has sent away
happy with a grccnback to buy Il supper
or help his parents. But no fuss, DO
blather, no sanrtimony, has ever attend
cd one Of his thousand brnciactionS to
thos" under and aronnh him
''Singcrly has made his mistakes; but
his manincSs and his gond-hea,tcdncs-
will soften criticism. and if he does not
have merry Christmas this year, it will
''pcnn," in Philadelphia Evening Bullet
in. December -.