The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-03-25
NEWSPAPER MEN IN PUBLIC
MORE AND MORE THEY ARE CON-
ING TO BE LEADING FACTORS
IN OFFICIALDOM.
Both Houses Of Congress Today Bear
Testimony to the Truth of
the Statement.

More and more the newspaper man Is
coming to be a factor in public affairs,
state and national. Both houses OF
congress today bear testimony to the
truth of this statement, as does the
roll of governors of the states. In the
minor state offices men of newspaper
training have time and again served
with distinction, and the power of the
press as a whole seems to be steadily
increasing.
A glance at the congressional direc-
tory tells an interesting story of the
participation of former newspaper
writer's in operating the national gov
eminent. Secretary of State John Hay,
before he became a capitalist and a
diplomat, was an editorial writer on
the New York Tribune, and he held
that and other newspaper positions for
many years, covering practically all of
his younger manhood.
F. B. Loomis, first assistant secretary
of state, was newspaper writer in
Ohio when President Mckinley d1scov-
cred him and gave him a diplomatic
position in South America, from which
he was promoted to his present posi-
ton. Previous to 1896, Mr.. LOOMS had
the newspaper assignment of travel
;oo ir1o of -
ter was making occasional tours of the
country. Through this service he be-
came we'll acquainted with him, and
when Mckinley came to the White
House LOOMS was one of the men who
was quickly taken care of.
r. J. Wynne, postmaster general
and to be consul general to London
after March 4, was for many years in
the press galleries of the national cap
itol, representing the New York Press
He came up from the most humble be-
ginnings. During his boyhood he was
messenger boy in Philadelphia tele-
graph Office, and while there he learned
to be an operator. In time he came
! to Washington, where he secured po-
sition as operator in the office Of Gen
eral H. V. Boynton, the leading Wash
ington correspondent of his day Mr.
Wynne picked up" the newspaper
business as he had picked up" te1eg-
raphy, and bIossomed out as a CORE
spondent in his own right. In this
business ne achieved wide reputation
and when he entered the service of the
government as first assistant post
master general he was one Of the best
known men on newspaper row.
John Barrett, who has held several
important diplomatic positions and is
at present American minister at Pana-
ma, was a few years ago, a reporter
on a daily newspaper in Portland, Ore
His rise has been most rapid and Won
derful. He has captured the fancy OF
the president, and his future now seems
secure.
H. A. Taylor of Wisconsin, assistant
secretary of the treasury, mas been a
newspaper proprietor and worker since
his young manhood, and still insists
that he is in the harness.
r. B. Armstrong, assistant secretary
of the treasury, who is to leave his Of
aoo 70 hooopoo rroSi1ant Of a oraot fr,,
company in New York, was a daily
newspaper worker For years he was
New York correspondent of the old
Chicago Herald, losing his position
when the Herald was consolidated
with the Record. Returning to Iowa,
his home state, he renewed his ac-
quaintance with Leslie M. Shaw, who,
when he became secretary Of the treas
ury, brought Armstrong to Washing
ton as his private secretary From this
place he was promoted to an assist
ant secretaryship.
Joseph L. Bristow, who made such
a spectacular record as fourth assist
ant postmaster general in the investi-
CATION and prosecution of postoffice
department boodlers, owns two coun-
try newspapers in Kansas, and has
hired editors to take charge of them
while he remains away from the state
He learned the newspaper business as
a boy, and mad no other means of live
lihood before coming to Washington.
There are strong probabilities that ne
is to succeed Mr.. Burton as a member
of the senate from Kansas.
George E. Roberts, director of the
mint, is editor and proprietor of the
Des Moines Register-Leader, the lead
ing newspaper of Iowa.
Francis E. Leupp, the new commits
sioner of Indian affairs, was for years
the Washington correspondent TO the
New York Evening Post. Years ago
he was an editorial writer on the New
York Tribune, with John Hay, and t-~y
had desks in the same room in the