The news & observer., 1905-10-22

governorship which cost him a barrel
of money. That he might have had
the vice presidential nomination on
several occasions had he wished to
accept it, is quite probable, but he did
not care, for many reasons, to make
the race. Some say that he bought
the Post to further his interests in
| this city, which are varied and eX-
tensive This can be safely set down
as far from the truth, for Mr.. Mclean
is of the old style newspaper men, and
not merely a millionaire debasing the
lofty and moral influence of great
paper to further private gains. That
he will make better newspaper out
of the Post than it has hitherto been.
is the popular belief, for it has had
many weak points. Starting in the
business under the eye of his father,
Washington Mclean, he had a thor
ough newspaper training and the sue
cess of the Cincinnati Enquirer is
a monument to his great ability Al
ways a money-maker, Mr.. Mclean has
the reputation of almost never max
ing a losing investment and with his
wealth quoted at from ten to twenty
million dollars, it is probable it may
be even double the latter amount. In
late years his investments in and about
Washington have been very heavy He
has acquired all of the block on which
the Shoreham Hotel stands. except
that one piece. This is destined in
few years to be one of the most val
liable blocks in the city for business
purposes, surrounded as it is by hotels
and parks etc. He also has a con-
trolling interest in the Washington
Gas Company, a large interest in the
Riggs National Bank and the Amcri-
can Security and Trust Company, the
wealthiest financial institutions in the
city. His real estate holdings include
a square in the northwest residential
section which he purchased as play
ground for his only son and his as
sOciates, and a country estate admir-
ably located.
-"ithal, Mr.. Mclean is q most mod
est and unassumng man, delightful
companion and of democratic tastes.
Surrounding himself with capable
men, he has bound them to him by
generous and just treatment. What
plans he may have as TO the future of
the Washington Post. are OF course.
unknown, but one thing is certain, that
the newspaper profession at the Capt.
tai is the gamer because of his en-
trance into the field.
Hobnobbing With Royalty.
To hob-nob with royalty is not a
privilege granted to many of us and
no matter how we may swell out our
chests and prate of democracy and
every American being "as good as a
King" those who travel realize that al
though America is undoubtedly the
best, still there are others and that
recognition extended by ruling mon
arch to an American citizen, is, in the
eyes of large part OF the world re-
garded as high distinction. In spite
of the boasted civilization of the
twentieth century it is well to remem-
Der that most of the world stiil clings
to Kings and Princes and that had
Washington been willing we might be
in the same box today. Therefore,
like the man who was anxious to
shake the hand that shook the hand
of Sullivan" it gave me distinct
thrill of snobbish pleasure to meet
friend last evening who mad stood in
the presence of royalty unadorned and
unashamed, end feel | was thus in
touch with the real thing. In fact my
friend and his name would be recog-
nized instantly for he is Wen known
and prominently influential admitted
it gave him a feeling OF peculiar sat
isfaction that not often comes ms way
and with these preliminaries, l Will