Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

strong were the proprietors, the former
editor-in-chief, assisted by Edmund Burke.
The Republic, an administration paper was
issued from the ofnce of Gideon & Son, the
proprietor being George S. Gideon, and A.
T. Brumley, with A. C. Bullitt Ferdinand
Jefferson, l.. A Gobright and j. w. Shee-
han as editors and writers.
The Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Clip
per had considerable circulation here. as
well as the Baltimore Argus. These papers
had daily letters from Washington, the
Sun and Clipper paying much attention to
local matters.
The Associated Press was then in its in
fancy, the New York papers having here
representatives furnishing the proceedings
of the Senate and House. These were
James w. Sheehan in the Senate gallery,
and L. A. Gobright, in the House. both of
whom as stated, re of the Republics
force. A number of weekly papers were
published the most able one of which was
the Washington News conducted by JUS
tice William Thompson and published
the avenue near the Capitol
The political papers of Washington were
devoted to discussing the great questions
of the day and giving but little space to
general and local news. The Republic, how
ever, made some pretensions as a local
paper. Leading editorials always had the
preference when the form was being made
up, and important city news, if it appeared
at all, was so condensed as to be almost
beyond recognition. Indeed, there are men
living today who have read a two-line con-
densation of a column report of fire and
riot, and a two-line report of an execution
in the Jail yard which would now be given
two columns of space. In the general con-
duct of these papers much of the old-time
easygoing ways of the old citizen was to
be seen and the slow methods still the rule
few compositors living who set type
in those days, and not long ago one of them
remarked LAS a rule those old fellows were
seldom at fault, excepting to time. Why!
to catch a paper publishing incorrect news
then raised sensation if we old fellows
could appreciate such thing. There was
about but one chance in hundred for such
experience in our office. When news came
in it was passed on by more than one man
before it reached the typesetter, and when
it appeared on the proof slip it was scruti-
nized by the editor and foreman. Then, if
there was the least doubt expressed, it was
marked to lay over and further inquiry
would be made Indeed, remember to
have set up some such introductions to du-
bious paragraphs as the following: We
can lay before our readers the following
information, assuring them it is absolutely
true in every particular, and they can rely
upon it, for it has been thoroughly verified
1 have read, too, the report of an execution
here of a man in whose crime and trial the
greatest interest had been felt in about the
following words: Was hung in the Jail yard
yesterday in the presence of a large as
semblage of people. 1t was conducted in an
orderly manner and there excite
ment Then the people were much more
interested in politics than now and appeared
to be governed by principle and were less.
on the hurrah. 1t must be confessed how
ever, that the younger element made the
campaign animated by parades, bonfres,
etc"
The Scott-Pierce presidential campaign,
which resulted in the seating of the latter,
had passed the month before. In that
campaign the Washington Wing Club,
which met near the city hall, took an active
part with whig clubs in various sections Of
the city. Ex-Mayor Walter Lenox was