Evening star., 1902-02-11
NEWS IN WASHINGTON
The Recollections of a Well
Known Correspondent.
CHANGES DUE TO WAR
INCREASE IN THE CORPS IN THE
PRESS GALLERY.
Of Men Who Keep the
Public Informed Of What is
Going On.

"Recollections and Observations of a
Washington Correspondent was the sub
iect Of an entertaining paper read last
evening by Mr.. Francis A. Richardson be
fore the Columbia Historical Society. Mr.
Richardson said. in part:
L came to Washington in 1865. just be-
fore the meeting of the first session of the
Thirty ninth Congress. The Congressional
Directory for that session contained the
names of just twenty-six Washington cor
found no authentic list Of Washington cor
respondents prior to the beginning Of the
civil war. but take it for granted there
could not have been nearly so many before
that period. The war, with its tremendous
opportunities for news and comment at the
capital OF the country, must have drawn
writer's to this city. and it seems strange
such a limited number was capable of deal
ing with the vast public questions center
ing here.
A More Rapid Pace.
For a decade or more after 1865 the
number of Washington correspondents did
not increase materially, and those who
We're here continued to retain connection
with three four or more different news
papers, as the case might be. Telegraphic
correspondence. now so universal, was the
practice in only a limited degree until the
civil war. The news nowadays won't keep
a minute. AS soon as obtained 1t must in
simultaneously be put upon the wires Woe
to the correspondent of 1902 who under
takes to hold back a good thing. The
chances are a hundred to one if he does
that one or several of his rivals may get
hold of it and score the beat which he
hoped to make.
In the ante-bellum days the proba abilities
were all the other way. Competition In
news was scarcely known. and he could
safely delay his communication and trust
it at his leisure and convenience to the
mail In those days the correspondents took
little If any account Of the Washington
newspapers. These publications were most
" mere party organs edited. to be sure
with distinguished ability, but paying only
Indifferent attention to the news.
The Star an Exception.
"An exception might be made in the case
Of The Evening Star. But The Stars ap-
pearance on the newspaper horizon was
then of comparatively recent date, and it
twinkled feebly as compared with it's re-
fulgence of today. The people of Wash
ington and the public men depended almost
entirely for news on the Baltimore papers
The Philadelphia papers did not come here
at ALL and the New York papers were not
received before nightfall. The Baltimore
Sun maintained three correspondents at
Washington.
practically it was not until after recon-
struction had been established and the
Ieconcilement of the sections inaugurated
that the United States began that series of
leaps and bounds which has made us sec
ond to no country In the world in wealth.
in power. In prestige. Side by side with
every other interest have the newspapers
stepped in this triumphant march. The
Washington correspondents have played no
mi nnrt1 1nt i,,f hic cr,ln
ment. Indeed, 1t may be said that there are
few departments of newspaper work which
weigh more than Washington correspond
ence, and the men who labor in this field
constitute not inconSidera BILE action OF
the flower OF journalism. In the thirty-fiye
years | was an active Washington corre-
spondent among my professional associates
nave been those who averaged we'll in In
telligence. in culture, In character in sa-
gacity with most of the men in public life
with whom they came In contact
Relations With Public Men.
Thirty years ago it was common Gust ON
for public men Of the highest rank to visit
the newspaper Offices In old newspaper
row, as it used to exist, there might be
found any evening senator's, representa-
tives, cabinet ministers, now and then the
Vice President, foreign minister's prominent
federal officials from the large cities Of the
country. governors Of states, etc. In the
phrase then common among Washington
correspondents, every one of them had his
own senator representative or cabinet
member who came to his office and told
him the news. All condolences Of public
men were regarded as inviolate, and can
recall no incident Of consequence where 1t
was ever betrayed.
ITO the contrary the correspondents have
faced the formal displeasure Of the Senate
and the House rather than give out the
name OF their informant. In 1871 two cor
respondents OF the New York Tribune sub
mltted to an Imprisonment of days rather
than divulge the name Of the senator who
had furnished them with a certain secret
treaty. Had they acted otherwise, as one
or them said while standing In custody at
the bar Of the Senate, they would have
been deemed ignominious by their assoc
ciates and suffered ostracism at their hands.
1t may be remarked in this connection that
nine-tenths Of what is regarded as conf
dental information pertaining to the nro
ceedings Of the Senate and the House ;s
and always has been, communicated to the
correspondents by members of Congress-
themselves and not by their clerks or other
employees.
1T Is the not ingenious custom for con-
gressmen when their colleagues make too
much commotion over these matters to nut
an the blame upon the poor clerks. Some
Ten years ago my warm personal friend,
y James RANKIN Young, who now worthily
nils seat In the House Of Representa tiyes
from one Of the Philadelphia districts. was
dlspossessed of his position as executives
clerk OF the Senate on the charge of giving
out proceedings of the executive session
While this injustice was being perpetrated
the senators who had communicated the
information complained Of sat silent in
their seats. "
An Exacting Profession.
There have been striking Instances OF
men of brilliant reputation In arms, in pol
itics and what may purely be styled litera
ture. proving signal failures as Washing
ton correspondents. have in memory sew
eral, one Of whom was a general In the
United states army, and two of whom were
United states senators. They had ability
enough. to be sure; they were polished
writer's. but they lacked those indispens
able attributes which go to make up the
successful newspaper man. 'Poeta nascitur
non fit true when first uttered SO many
centuries ago, Is as true today. So with the
practiced. the accomplished. the capable
journalist. whether Washington correspon-
dent or not. He must be born he cannot
be made. Without question the Qualities
necessary to constitute the successful man
ager or writer for the daily press may be
enhanced and perfected by application and
experience, but the foundation must be
there. One evidence Of this is in the mill
lions thrown away for themselves or their
friends by men who simply because they
could write imagined they could run q