Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-04-29
THE GAZETTE.

more. Fielding.
--
THE GAZETTE.
after an absolute ownership OF
one hundred and twelve years by the
Snoydens, the Alexandra Gazette will
on the first day of May pass into other
hands" So begins the valedictory OF
Hubert Snowden, for almost half a
century connected with the Gazette,
and its present editor and owner.
lon May 1st this fine old paper IS
to be transferred to other hands than
those Of the Snowdens, though Hubert
Snowden will always retain an IN
terest in the paper. This reluctant
step of parting with this old and val
liable property was taken because Mr..
Snowden finds that he must lead a
LESS strenuous" life than heretofore.
The Gazette was founded in 17S4.
From that time, 127 years ago, it has
been consecutively published, save in
1861, when union troops took posses
sion of the office and published pa
Der OF their own. In 1862 the troops
destroyed the plant and the fortunes
of war caused the Gazette to be pub
lished only intermittently until peace
dwelt in the land once more. The
Gazette has historic interest attached
to it in that it was the home paper OF
George Washington and George Mason,
both of whom frequently visited It's
sanctum. The Gazette is, as this last
of the Snovdens calls it, the oldest of
Alexandria institutions. !" Its record
has been proud, and an honor to the
escutcheon OF its owners. One hun
dred and twelve years of absolute con-
troll by one family and one interest is
an unsual achievement in journalism.
Through all these years the Gazette has
hewn straight to the line, independent,
individual, fearless, and that 1t shall
continue to do and SO to be is the sin
cere wish oil its contemporaries. i Rich
moud Times Dispatch.
Hubert Snowden, the last of the long
line Of editors Of that name who have
owned the Alexandria Gazette for one
hundred and twelve years, and made 1t
one Of the foremost papers IN the south,
has decided, on account of the wear
and tear incident to the strenuous life
of half century on that newspaper, to
retire from active conduct OF editing
and managing the Gazette. While
keeping au interest in the paper he has
decided to entrust the work to younger
hands. Few papers in this country
have had such an unbroken ownership,
and very few welded the influence on
the affairs Of the state and nation as
did the Gazette under its long line OF
honored SnoSden editors.
The Alexandra Gazette Corporation.
with r. S. Barrett as president and
general manager, and Howard W.
Smith, secretary and treasurer, will
conduct the paper hereafter. The
Journal wishes its ancient and honor
able contemporary much success under
its new management Richmond
Journal.
The Alexandria Gazette was found
ed in 1899 by Samuel Snowden, and
has continued in the ownership of his
descendants until only few days
since, when it passed out Of the family
into control of a corporation. The
Gazette is probably the Oldest paper
in the country and has always been
noted for its conservatism. Being near
the national capital, it has maintained
its equanimity amid all the stirring
scenes enacted there for more than 4
century, and has never yielded to any
temptation to take on the hue OF
yellow journalism, and has maintained
a reputation we'll earned, for dignity
and truth, as we'll as freedom from
partisan prejudice. 1t is quite an
exceptional thing in the history
OF journalism that it should have
continued in the control of one
family for over a century and has
always deserved and received the con-
hdence of its constituency. May it
continue to live AMI prosper for many
wears to come and maintain the same
high character. : Roanoke World.
It is wish genuine regret that we note
that the Alexandria Gazette, which has
been in the Snowden family for IL
years, will pass into new hands on May
1st. We are assured that the new
editors will keep the paper to its
present high standard, still the old
Gazette had an individuality that will
be hard to duplicate, and it is with
this that all Virginia editors will part
with profound sadness. ii Loudoun En-
terprise.
After one hundred and twelve years
in the ownership of one family, the
Alexandria Gazette, one OF the Oldest