The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-31

E. V. SmalIey, who died at his home in
ST Paul. Friday at midnight. was a
shining light in the newspaper armament
of Washington, D. c., in the DAYS when
he was regular Washington cCrrespon-
dent. He was active and unt.ring, ard
many were the sec ops he secured over
his competitors. Mr.. Smalley startled the
newspaper fraternity at the national cap
ital when he landed the papers in the
famous Credit Mobilier case, and the Nsw
York Tribune came out with its first page
decorated with the evidences of his abI-
ity as a newspaper reporter That
achievement vas great, but his interview
with the Sage of Grammercy Park was
even greater, as it was a we'll estab lished
fact in those days that Mr.. TiIden would
not submit to be interviewed. Among the
newspaper men in Washington, E V
| Smalley was known as a prince He vas
ever ready to share his hard-earned news
! spoils with the more unfortunate, and
never took advantage that was unfair
He was, perhaps, the most popular of all
| the Washington correspondents, with
men whose friendship was valuab bic from
a news standpoint, and he attributed his
success 10 the fact that all lie Gid was
! free from trickery or deceit.
CREDIT MOBLIER CASE.
i 1t was known that the famous Credit
Mobilier bill was to be presented to con-
gross on or about a certain day Every
newspaper correspondent at the capital
was OF his mettle. And not one was left
! in ascertaining that the bill had been
! presented ard in getting q scanty outline
of its provisions. But Mr.. Smalley had
done better. Ee had managed to ascer-
tain the lame of the steaographer who
/ as preparing the bill. He notified his
new spaper.> the New York Tribune, ami
urged the Importance CT giving the meas
ure in full. Finally he was authorized to
| negotiate and arrange with the steno-
/ gfapher tc prepare two copies of the
precious document, one Of which was
! handed to Mr. SmaIey when the original
| went to congress The result was that
! the Tribune had the bill in full while the
many other newspapers having repre-
| sentatives at the capital were compelled
! 10 be satisfied with a summary Of it's
| provisions. There was but the one copy
and all the report 9rs could Go was 10
| Civide up ard get the ''meat" of it. The
scoop cost the Tribune an even $500,
but ii was worth ten times the money as
a news exclusive.
TALK WITH TH-DEN.
The Tribune wanted an interview with
S. J. Tilden. NJ. Smal,ey was called from
Washington to get it. The Sage of Gram
| mercy Park had steadfastly refused II
grant an Interview 10 anyone. In fact
he had prevented reporters from getting
close enough to open their batteries upon
him.
IF you can get into the house you may
succeed" said the managing editor Of
the Tribune TO Mr. Smalley, but I am
fearful yon cannot get beyond the forbid
der portals
That was all the tip the bright, keen.
young newspaper man needed. He
mapped out his plan of campaign upon
the basis: Get inside the house first.
The rernainde~ Will be cay. He was met
at the door by trusted servant. He did
rot announce that he represented a news
paper. That would have ended his mis-
SIGN without result. He mentioned the
name CT a business friend of Mr.. Tilden.
He Old not say he was that friend, but
the servant so took it and the result was
that Mr.. Smallcy was ushered into the
presence of the man all New York re-
porters had been seeking in vain for
ncauy days.
TALKED AS A DIPLOMAT.
Mr. Tilden was evidently puzzled when
he saw his visitor. He did not recog-
nize him. He did not even ask who he
was. Mr.. Smalley saw his advantage
and opened his batteries with a learned
dissertation upon legislative matters in
which he knew Mr.. Tilden was interested
and would lead up to just what he was
seeking. He got it. All he wanted And
then ne grew anxious. He felt that if
he was asked by Mr.. Tilden to explain
the motive of his mysterious visit he
would be compelled to break his rule of
dealing honestly in such matters or lose
his information. And so he backed to-
ward the door. Mr.. Tilden began to in
quire as to the name of his caller, but
Mr.. Smalley talked faster than could
his host, and, as he put it himself. laugh
Ing heartily at recollection of the occur
renee, he never breathed SO freely as he
did after he had got beyond the reach of
Mr. Tilden's possible query as to his
mission. The interview was printed, and
after it was all over Mr.. Tilden enjoyed
IL. 81 he