New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
VALUABLE "HUMAN DOCUMENTS"
NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTION TO THE PER
soNAL HISTORY OF CURRENT TIMES.

soNAL HISTORY OF CURRENT TIMES.
Despite the interest that is felt in the census re-
turns which being given out in dribets, it
Is we'll bear in mind the great fact tersely set
forth by Emerson that "the true test of civiliza-
ton is not the census, the crops no. but the
kind OF man the country turns out" The most ac-
curate record of the modern State is 10 oe tounu
in the lives OF its representative men. And that
does not necessarily mean only its very rich men
its holders of high public offices or the men who
most talked about In the clubs. There other
prominent and progressive men, who accurately
fleet the temper and the tendencies Of the times
weEo deserving of detailed notice To notice
them authortatively to tell the stories of the lives
OF hundreds Of truly representative men. in all
fessions businesses and trades and in all honora-
bic walks of public and private life. present, in
brief, a comprehensive encyclopaedia of cOntem-
poraneous biography is an undertaking at once
arduous and fascinating and most valuable in its
results.
The first stage of such undertaking has just
reached its elimination in the publication by The
Tribune OF a couple of large aAd sumptuou5 vol
unes, prepared under the supervision Of Mitchell
c. Harrison, entitled "New-York States Promi-
nent and Progressive Mem These contain
hundreds of biographical sketches. with portraits.
of representative men of the Empire State, of all
political parties all departments of industry and
trade, and of all the various learned professions
Some OF them are in affiuent and some in moderate
financial circumstances; some have finished
finishing their life works and some are seemingly
only upon the thresholds of their careers the
of some will command instant recognition
while those of others may have in the pages of
this work their first general introduction to the
public. There has been attempt to choose or to
compose a class save native ability and achieved
leadership characteristics of a class. The one
qualification required. which will be found 4 char
acteristic of all, is that of such achievement as
gives fair title TO prominence or to a repute for
progress.
While designed for general reading and for all
the purposes OF contemporary history it is appar-
ent that this work Is of particular value as a book
OF reference in newspaper offices and elsewhere.
and Will, we believe, be welcomed and priced by
all editors and others who may secure it, The diff
hculty OF obtaining accurate biography compiled
IN Succlict and ready reference form is appre-
eertaking by The Tribune place the record Of
paper and public libraries must Of nacesi| g Ins
with approval The magnitude and responsibility
OF such task, the expense and time required and
the tedious diligent and ingenious application nee
eSsaty 10 brlng this work TO successful issue are
the details OF such project. To secure the photo
collect the autographs and data from over baif a
thousand subjects, write revise and edit the biog-
hundred steel plates and submit the same for cor
nst 9itG @Pt4EaI TO coIiate and arrange the
tend to the details of binding and conduct the dis
complished in few days The Ia5orions and De aE aS
process OF printing from steel plates is also part
old method of printing from steel p2tes by hand
power power presses seems to be impossible Of improve
ment. To prepare the work in q manner worthy
OF the subject creditable alike to publisher and
supscrlDeT required the time and attention of an
aGiGoppished editorial STAFF. and their best efforts
VIII be put forth from time time during the neXf
lev. years TO complete the work in itS enffra,v ~
The imprint OF the De Vinne Press IS of course
IN user an ample guarantee that in typrographV
ana all other mechanical respects the work Is ~
tne hlghest excellence. The two volumes ius+ rub
Hshed contain more than eight hundred Iarga oo
a taVo pages and three hundred and fifty fine steel
richly adorn the handsomest library ard in ,i III
measure be serviceabe in the most pr3cticai Ia
erary or Journalistic workshop F 1T
MUST BE FED ARTTFICI4LLY.