The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-19
PULITZER'S PERSONALITY.
Facts About the Man Who Is Found
ing school of journalism.

About Mr.. Pulitzer himself. and the man.
ner of his gift, the public in New York
that takes an interest in the experiment
feels appreciation, but it remarks also that
the school is to be called the Pulitzer
School. There is a characteristic touch of
vanity in this which might be overlooked
except for the practical disadvantage that
such a name has. If it were called by an
nalism, for example-other rich men might
add to its endowment.
Then, too. most academic men have not
been able to approve of Mr.. Pulitzer's own
journalistic methods. This is for the pres
ent, the most unpleasant fact to consider.
Yet everybody acknowledges certain great
acts of public service that his newspaper
has done. They cannot forget that New
York journalism had a dignity before his
advent that 1t has not had since.
Men who remember events of twenty
years ago, however, recall the fact that
the old World. when Mr.. Pulitzer bought
1t, though 1t was, perhaps the most digni-
fed and scholarly journal then in New
York, was controlled by-Jay Gould; and
it was edited by William Henry Hurlbut
moral values, it would be hard to say that
the paper lost character when Mr.. Pulitzer
bought it-that would be hard saying in
deed.
Yet it was Mr.. Pulitzer who began or at
least developed and made profitable in the
East what we now call yellow" journal
ism. But his first practice of II was mild
in comparison with its later forms. His
capital when he came to New York from
st. Louis twenty years ago was a more
accurate discernment perhaps than any
other man had of what will make a news
paper sensation. He had energy and dar
ing, too. But he has never regarded him
self as sensational-only as enterprising.
There are depths of sensationalism to
which he has never stopped. His simple
aim was to make his newspaper pay. He
knew how to do it. and he went at it in the
most direct way.
But he held also. and has always held,
a good ideal of public service. He has
made his paper really serve the public in
many noteworthy ways. But attached to
its usefulness has always been such SEN
sationalism would pay the bills
Seen near he is not an attractive per-
sonallty.. Few persons seem ever to be
fond OF him. His men have no enthusiasm
for him. He is not man who has many
friends. Seen at distance, there is a good
deal to respect In him. and in what he has
done; for he has done CO rageOus things
He has bolted his party and fought Tam
many. He has resolutely taken the unpop-
ular side In many movements. He has a
very clear understanding of the masses OF
the people. He can put himself in the
| place OF a man of the million. He knows
his thoughts, his feelings, his outlook or
life, his attitude to society. He has fought
the battles OF this man of the million with
| sympathy, with understanding, even with
some heroism. He is a Democrat and he
has clear grasp of the fundamental con.
ception of a demOcracy-that opportunity
shall be kept as free as possible. This is
| to his credit; and he has, perhaps, not re.
ceceived his full share of credit.
of his vanity.
| He feels his power He knows his abil-
| ity, and he has never escaped self-con-
| seriousness. Others must acknowledge his
ability. Like most strong men who are not
great, he demands fiattery One of the best
| correspondents that he ever had came home
| one night from long absence and went
directly to see his family before ne re-
| ported to Mr., Pulitzer. His salary was re-
duced for this offense The building that
| he erected was not named for his news.
paper as the universal custom is, but fol-
This vanity shows itself in his fondness
for advertising. Everybody is now asked
| by the World what he thinks of the Schoo
| of Journalism. He could not make the gift
| to Columbia College and be quiet 1t is
this vanity that has kept him from the
| satisfaction of companiOnshp. MANY 2
man of less ability and of less public spirit
| good men In New York. Mr.. Pulitzer /.
still a recluSe
His blindness. too, has had much to dc
| with his rather lonely life. His sight failed
| gradually for ten years or more and II
| has gone out. He is shut up in this
| helpless form Of dependence on others. He
| is said to have remarked year or two age
| for he could not see the Sunday World!
| But he keeps his directing hand on the
paper When he is in New York he is con
| suited every day by telephone. He has
| never relinquished active management. His
| industry, his shrewdness. his peculiar cour
| age. his vanity, all show themselves now
| His gift of a million and his promise OF
another million for school of Journalism
| surprises nobody who knows him. He heart
| lily believes in this enterprise. He has great
| moral earnestness in his wish To do a last
| ing public service. Vain as he is, he is no
/ selfish, for vanity and selfishness are very
| different qualities. He has a keen sympa
| thy for the struggling man.
| Men who have TO do with the benefaction.
| of rich men usually find in them a mixtur,
/ Of many motives-piety, penitence, vanity
| generosity-all jumbled together. In thi.
| benefaction there is pretense of piety
| surely no penitence Che is not aware of sim
| some vanity, a real generosity and higl
| aim to do a worthy service, mingled with
| wish TO emphasize his own success.
| 1t is among the probabilities that half
/ century hence the community will regart
| Mr.. Pulitzer as the man who did most I,
4 elevate Journalism in New York to a recog
nized profession, when the vanities and vul
/ garities of the World are forgot and it,
/ real service is still recalled.
| When you approach New York now b.
night the two most conspicuous objects tina
you see are the Statue of Liberty and tn,
| brilliant dome of the Pulitzer building Mr.
/ Pulitzer collected the money to build tn,
/ pedestal of the statue, and the World made
| the money that built the building. There Il
| no other journalist of his time who has mad
i the same physical impression on New York
And now, when his work is really done, h,
i is projecting himself into the future Will
the same combination of shrewd vanity ans
real public service.