Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-08-04

rrIenGshfp hsIth the non. W mite
law Reid-A Remarkable Literary
Career-TypicaI Climbing.
WASHINGTON, July 3l.-ESpeciaL i
At such a time as the present when
foreign complications Of much greater
magnitude than have ever been known
IN the past seem to threaten the repub-
lie, the state department is by far the
most important branch of the Wash
ington government.
In other words, the radical change in
our governmental machinery which
was begun on the breaking out of the
Spanish war is being carried forward
daily by the Chinese disorders and
ultimately may perhaps extend to far
greater lengths than has been wished
or expected by the most extreme of
those who favor Americas taking her
place among the world powers.
The Secretary of state.
In such a combination of circum-
stances the secretary Of state natural
ly attracts much greater interest than
be would, had it been impossible to
maintain the original policy of mo
entanglements."
John Hay, the present secretary, Is
in some respects one of the most inter-
esting men who have ever occupied the
post. His personal experiences have
been extremely varied, since, like many
another man of the highest affairs in
the United States, he was born in
rural neighborhood of the middle west,
and his route from the level of the shut
in country boy to that which is occu-
pied by the chief of a great nations
diplomatic department has given him
opportunities to study at first hand
nearly all sorts and conditions Of life
as it is lived by his countrymen. Be
sides, he has had wide experience on
the other side Of the Atlantic
The American public began to know
something about Mr.. Hay when he be-
came private secretary to President
Lincoln. He had then just attained his
majority, and IN the course of his du-
ties he became acquainted with
young man of about his own age, who,
like himself then not very well known,
Dut w ~ has HillNt tlNO btNOlllC lJAOAl-
inent figure in American life.
Hay and whiteIaw Reid.
This young man was Whitelaw Reid.
He had been sent to Washington to
serve as correspondent for the Cincin-
natl Gazette Hay soon found that he
could treat the Cincinnati correspond
ent as man of discretion, and Reid
found in turn that Hay would never
knowingly allow him to run behind in
the game of gathering the important
news of the capital.
Reid did not remain long in Wash
ington, however, being sent to the front
as war correspondent and serving the
New York Tribune as well as the Gin
cinnati Gazette 1t was his Tribune
connection that gave Reid greatest
prominence. His succession to the ed
itorial desk of that paper when Greeley
left is well remembered. It was one Of
his strongest desires Mt that time that
Hay should become a member of The
Tribune staff permanently - that he
should act as understudy to its editor,
in fact. This. Mr. Hay. who had mar
ried the daughter of Amasa Stone, the
Cleveland millionaire and who had
many irons in the fire both of bust
ness and literary nature, felt constrain-
ed to decline. However, he did act as
editor Of The Tribune during Mr..
Reid's absence on his prolonged we'd
ding tour through Europe and since
then has at various times, though only
for brief periods, obliged his friend by
serving temporarily as The Tribune's
chief Of staff.
Hays Literary Work.
1t is doubtful whether there are in