Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-04
AN AUGUSTA EDITOR,
An Interesting Sketch Of Amos Parker Wilder
o! the Madison. wis. Journal.

III StIf VI ltitltS oIl the editors
of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Journal
recently had an interesting write-up
of Amos Parker Wilder, an old Au-
gusta boy who has won marked sue
cess in journalism and is now at the
head of a leading Wisconsin daily
Mr. Wilder is the son of the late DR..
Amos Wilder of this city and only a
few weeks ago visited his mother here.
He has a host of friends in this city
who are always glad to welcome him
back and who watch his career with
much pride. The sketch in the Mil
waukee journal reads as follows:
Amos Z. Wilder, who during the alb
sence OF its Big Chief" Horace 4.
Taylor, as assistant secretary of tn
treasury at Washington, is conducting
the Madison Journal, is a New Eng
land product, having been born and
raised under the shadow of James G..
Blaine's home and influence in Angus
ia, Me. Wilder came to Wisconsin
from New York six years ago. He in
vested all he had in State Journal
stock, and today he is one of the best
known editors in the state. He is a
man of marked ability, boundless
energy and persistent good nature,
and has made way among the politi-
clans as few newspaper men have ever
done in the same length of time.
He came to Madison with the high
est credentials. He was a graduate of
Yale. and entitled from that institu-
ton to wear a "Ph. D." at the end OF
his name. He had travelled abroad
and rubbed up against the leading
men of two continents. At the age of
70 he was editor of the New Haven
Palladium, one of the oldest dailies in
New England, and later was an edi-
tOrial writer on one of the New York
dailies. He had written after his Eu-
ropean trip a booklet on municipal
government, which was one Of the first
comprehensive discussions Of that now
much treated subject: and had de-
livered a course Of lectures On the
same subject at the parent Chautau-
qua assembly on Lake Chautauqua
He did not, however, depend upon his
credentials to advance him. He took
hold of his newspaper work as one
who meant business. lie reported the
Legislative sessions for his paper. thus
coming in contact with the men who
control politics in tn" state. When
the opportunity presented itself hc
visited all Of the state charitable ana
penal institutions to learn methods
IF state administration: Travelled from
one end to the other of hi ZONE coun-
ty to meet the people a.-ong whom
chiefly his paper Circulatcs. and in
every way that intelligent energy
could apply itself hc sought to learn
his job" As a result Of all this NJ
Wilder is about the best known Of all
the writer's of the Wisconsin press.
Under the nom dc plume "Orlando
Burnett" he has for three years
written a weekly letter discussing
politics ana public affairs. which i
published in a large number Of the
weekly and daily papers Of the state.
These letters, which during the legis-
lative sessions are published by be-
tween forty and fifty state papers.
have come to be recognized as au-
reviews of public affairs in
He has a Very attractive
style as a writer and whatever he has
to say attracts attention as we'll for tho
manner III W men llt' sly II d. Ibl tilt
subject matter. He is one uf thu
brightest after-dinner speakers in the
state and is in frequent demand for
public addresses.
Mr. Wilder has an easy confidence in
himself and very happy way Of get
ting on with people. His most partial
friends wouldn't call him handsome,
but he has a vigorous physique. a
bright eye, clear complexion. and a
laugh that is calculated to cure the
worst case of melancholy. He married
few years ago an Eastern lady. q
graduate of Miss Mastee's famous
school on the Hudson. They have four
children. and with all of his outside
duties, Wilder is thoroughly domestic.
In his newspaper and other public
work he stands for the highest and
best things. and it is hardly necessary
to add that in private life he is above
reprOach.
Wilder was the originator and is
now the secretary Of the SIX O'Clock
Club. which has come to occupy d
large place in the social and business
life of the capital city. All in all he is
to be rcck0ncd with as an important
and growing influence in the news
paper field and the political and social
life of the state.