New-York tribune., 1899-11-17
HARPERS MAKE A CHANGE.
G. B. NJ HARVEY ELECTED PRESIDENT
OF THE COMPANY.
HE WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THE PUB
LISHING HOUSE ON MONDAY
JOHN HARPER RETIRES.


]. Henry Harper, vice-president of Harper &
Brothers. announced last evening that at
meeting Of the directors Of the publishing COM
pany yesterday afternoon, George b. NJ. Harvey
Editor and proprietor Of THE North American
Review" was elected president and managing
director Of Harper & Brothers. He added that
Mr. Harvey had purchased from the sharehold-
ers a large interest in the company The or
ganlzation as completed at the meeting was as
follows: President. G. B. NJ. Harvey; first vice
president John w Harper; second vice-presi-
dent, ]. Henry Harper; third vice-president'
Clarence ". McIlvaine: secretary James Thorne
Harper; treasurer. Henry S Harper, and direc-
tors in addition to the officers named, II. H.
Harper and James Harper
The changes consist in the substitution OF Mr..
Harvey as president in place Of John W. Har-
per. who becomes first vice-presdent, ana the
retirement Of John Harper, whose condition OF
health makes it impossible for him to attend 10
business.
The stockholders Of our company" Mt Har-
per said have felt for some time the desiraolll-
~ Of obtaining as the active head Of our COM
pany a strong, energetic man. who, while nav
ing experience. should also be young enough 10
handle effectively a large organization we IN
vited Colonel Harvey TO take this position be
cause Of his success, both in journalism and
business, and later especially with The North
American Review whose circulation has doubled
since he took charge OF It in May. This achieve
ment naturally attracted the attention OF our
selves as well as of other publishers, and our
shareholders unanimously agreed to make him
a proposition 10 assume the management Of
Harper & Brothers on terms which we knew
must be and We considered were liberal, ana
which at any rate were satisfactory to MN, ana
after consideration accepted. He VIII enter
upon his duties on Monday"
Mr. Harper declined to state the terms under
which Mr. Harvey becomes the head Of Harper
Bros 1t was learned, however from an
other source. which there is every reason TO
believe is authoritative that the shareholders
sold a large block Of stock, appraised some time
ago at S23I a share. to Mr. Harvey at Sl1O
share. The exact amount OF stock purchased
! by him could not be learned. but said to be
not far from one million dollars In par value.
II was reported some months ago that a CON
solidatiOn Of Harper & Bros. and Double
day Mcclure had been arranged. 1t
found. however when the time came to put
the suggested consolidation into effect. that the
lines Of publication Of the respective companies
differed so widely that the plan was impractl-
cable. 1t was abandoned soon several
members Of Harper * Bros, who were not
! within reach at the time Of the negotiations
returned to TIE city with the full consent Of
Mr.. Mcclure who. after consideration. felt that
his business had become Of such magnitude
TO require his undivided time and efforts
Mr.. Harvey was found at his home last
evening and confirmed the announcement Of
Mr.. Harper, but further than 20 add that he
should continue as the Editor OF The North
American Review" he declined to discuss his
plans Tor the future, on the ground that they
were not fully matured
Colonel George b. Mcclellan Harvey, the Edi-
! tor and proprietor OF The North American Re-
view" was born in Peacham Vt. on Feb
ruary JIG, 1884. He graduated from the
| Caledonia County grammar school Of that town
/ and began writing for the local newspapers
! when fifteen years old. For several years pre-
| vious 10 that his only accessible reading matter
was monthly copy Of The North American
| Review and he founded at that time a long
| cherished ambition to become its editor
He served as a reporter on The Springfield
Republican" and later was on The Chicago
News When tWenty-One years old he came to
this city and began work as reporter on The
World" occupying various repOrtOrial and editO-
ria. places. When twenty-six years old he
| made managing editor. and year later he
was appointed manager in chief Of that paper
His health becoming impaired. he was COM
PEELED 10 resign in 1893 when he formed busi-
ness connection with William c. Whitney. which
continued two years. At the end Of that time
he began the development Of electric roads on
Staten Island and the Atlantic Coast Electric
Railroad in Long Branch and Asbury Park
He was president OF the Asbury Park and
Sea Grt Railroad Company, treasurer Of the
Staten Island Ferry Company and vice presl-
THE North American Review" In February Of
the present year and assumed editorial direc-
ton last May. He formed what was popularity
known as the Harvey syndicate for the pur-
chase Of street railroads in Havana and other
Cuban properties and devoted a large amount
Of time 10 the development Of enterprises there
Colonel Harvey IS a member OF the following
clubs: Iotos Lawyers Reform, Metropolitan.
Manhattan, Colonial ROckaway Hunt Ardsey.
Knollwood Westchester Golf Harbor Hill Golf
Parmachenee. Democratic. Monmouth. Sons OF
St Patrick and Deal Golf and the New-En
land Society He married. IN 1855, Miss Alma
A. Parker of Peacham. VT.