The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-13
CLARK HOWELL IN CONTROL.
EDITOR OF CONSTITUTION HAS
MAJORITY OF THE STOCK.

WOrtd ana IN foItlcs-SohhetAAhS
About the COnstitution-other Mat
tiers of General Interest.
Atlanta, Sept. 12.--The sensation of
the day here is the purchase, by Hon.
Clark Howell of Col. w. A. Hemphill's
interest in the Constitution.
The trade was closed two days ago,
but the matter was kept quiet until this
morning.
The stock purchased by Mr.. Howell,
with what he already owns and con-
trolls, gives him majority in the shares
of the paper. At the same time Mr..
Roby Robinson bought the one-fourth
interest in the stock which for the
past four years has been owned by
the Banigans of Providence, r. l., who
have large holdings here. Mr.. Robin
son has been in charge of the Banigan
interests in Atlanta, and in that capac-
ity has been one of the directors Of the
Constitution for some time past.
The details of the trade as
given out by Mr.. Howell and
Mr.. Robinson to-day are as follows
Mr.. Howell formerly owned 500 shares
of common stock of the Constitution
Company and controlled 400 other
shares. He has bought from Col.
Hemphill 1,415 shares, which gives him
ISIS out of the 5000 shares of the COM
pany's common stock. Mr.. Robinson
bought the 1900 shares owned by the
Banigan estate. The price paid is not
given. 1t is stated that the deal will
not involve any radical changes, ex-
cept, of course, the retirement of Col.
Hemphill.
Mr.. Howell. as is we'll known, has
controlled the editorial policy of the
paper for the past four years, hence
it will remain the same. While the
transfer of the stock has already been
made, the actual official changes win
not take place until JAM /. At that
time Col. Hemphill will retire as bust
ness manager and will be succeeded by
Mr.. Robinson.
Editor Howell is one of the best
known Journalists on the continent.
When a mere boy, after graduating
at the State University, he went to
work on the Constitution as a reporter
Then he spent year or so with the
Philadelphia Press and the New York
Times, studying every phase of metro
politan journalism.
While in New York, at a time when
the ablest newspaper men of the coun-
try were trying to interview Samuel j.
Tilden in regard to his candidacy, Mr..
Howell succeeded where all of his COM
petitors failed.
Mr.. Tilden refused to say a word I'M
til he met the young Georgian. Then
he spoke freely, and the result was the
publication of an interview which
placed the old statesman in a proper
light before the public. and made How
ellis reputation as a newspaper man.
The late Henry w. Grady appreciat-
ed the youngsters ability and gave him
a responsible position on the staff of
the Constitution. Young Howell had
no foreign ideas. He believed in work
and never shirked it, Though his faith
er was the editor in chief and one of
the principal owners of the paper, he
cheerfully went through the routine
drudgery of the various departments
for years, until by the sheer force of
merit, he was advanced to the position
Which he has held for sometime past.
But he was something better than a
slave of the desk. Before he was 30 he
served with distinction two terms in
the Legislature, and made an admirable
speaker of the House. He is now presi-
dent of the state Senate, and it is con-
coded that he will be the Governor of
Georgia two years from the expiration
of Gov. Gamblers term, if he is willing
to accept the office.
Mr. Howell is an ideal editor as we'll
as model citizen. He has long been
prominent and influential in politics.
but he is broadminded, sympathetic.
and so genuinely American that he is
as popular in New York as he is in
Georgia
Since Henry Grady's day no South
erner has been better known, or more
generally liked, in every quarter of the
Union.
Naturally, Mr.. Howell will be con-
graduated by thousands of people upon
the investment which has placed him
in control of one of Americas greatest
newspapers.
Col. w. A. Hemphill sells his inter-
est and retires from active business
because he feels that he has earned
and is able to take a rest. He is MI.
Howells warm personal friend, and the
most cordial relations exist between
the two. The Colonel is contemplating
trip to Europe, and when he returns
he will doubtless devote more time to
the social pleasures which his busy life
has heretofore prevented him from en-
joying. He is in the prime of life, and
will be a prominent figure in our af-
fairs for a long time to come.
The Constitution has 5000 shares of
stock, and two years ago was reor-
ganized on basis of $1,000 600. the Sc
curities being promptly placed by Mr..
Roby Robinson.
Mr.. Robinson is one of the most re-
rnarkable young business men in At
lanta- Coming here twelve years ago
from Alabama, without a dollar, he
went to work for $40 a week. and his
ability advanced him so rapidly that
he was able, a few years ago, to or
ganize the English American Trust
Company. and erect the splendid eleven