The Detroit times., 1912-12-16


al Importance presented themselves
importance presented themselves in a
manner To win her fame or him as a
lavish entertainments and his person
al intimacy with the king and high
officials of the government kept him
always before the public eye.
When he was named ambassador by
President Roosevelt in 1905, he select
ed for his place OF residence, one OF
the finest places in London, Dorchester
house. Wrest Park. He determined
that SO far as social splendor and lux
ury could be made TO contribute TO
diplomatic success. he would spare no
expense in Uncle Sans behalf.
With salary OF $17,500 q year, he
Paid out $23,500 year for the rent
OF his town house alone. As the
rental OF the country place was nearly
as large he spent many times his sal
airy each year.
Mr.. Reds love for pomp and splen-
dor was shown. however, when he was
appointed minister TO France In 1889.
He remained in Paris for three years
and during that time he set the pace
for French society. His wife, daugh-
ter OF d. Ogden Mills, millionaire. be-
came a great favorite in French diplo-
matte circles and later In England.
But with all OF his social Qualihca-
lions and regard for life OF ease and
luxury. hts start In life was m hun
BILE one. Born on q farm, Reid grad
ually worked himself up, through the
medium OF journalism, TO a place OF
honor and respect In the nation. In
acquiring prominence. he had not dis
regarded the importance or money as
an asset, however, and gathered to-
gether a fortune. When he was mar
ried TO Miss Elizabeth Mills in 1881.
his financial standing was consider
ably bettered:
Il have never had anything but
what l worked for" declared Mr.. Reid,
shortly after he became editor OF the
New York Tribune. That probably
was true at that time--later things
came TO him. But his indefatigueaDie
energy and heritage OF Scottish grit
and ambition, which enabled him 70
fulfll his desire ito be somebody ~
his early life, cropped out at times art
er hi began to age and those at
tributes were no longer needed.
Mr.. Reid achieved great prominence
as editor Of the New York Tribune.
He was the dean OF New York news
paper editors so far as term OF service
is concerned. No other New York
journalist, either living or dead, ever
received honors equally distinguished.
AS an editor and politician. Mr.. heid
was exceedingly conservative. He was
Hamiltonian; not Jeffersonian'
When in New York Mr.. Reid person
ally directed all matters pertaining TO
his paper, the thought and policy OF
n. az well as the details or form and
makeup. Mr. Reid was a thorough
scholar and the owner of an exceed
ingiy fine library. His literary at
tainments entitled him to a position OF
honor among the editorial writer's 'of
his time. He also was the author OF
n number OF books OF historical or
political nature, characterized by
forceful diction and fuency of style.
Whitelaw Reid was born near
xenia, o.. In October, 1887 He re-
ceiyed his early education In Xenia.
and afterward entered Miami univer-
sity. from which he graduated In 1856.
After having acted as superintendent
of the graded schools OF South
Charleston, o., for year or more, he
bought and edited the "xeEia News.
He Joined the Republican party when
n was founded and actively engaged
In politics. He made political speech
es for Fremont In 1856, and, IN n.s pa
per. advocated the nomination OF Lin
coin IN 1860. Later he became city
editor of the Cincinnati Gazette" but
ut the outbreak OF the Civil War Reid
loined the stan Of General Morris. in
West Virginia, and later that OF Gen.
|eral Rosecrans.
At the same time he acted as war
correspondent for the Gazette, writing
over the signature of Agate" In
1868 he was appointed librarian OF the
house of representatives.
In 1858 Mr.. Reid again became one
OF the editors of the Cincinnati Ga
zette," but late In the same year he
was invited by Horace Greeley TO
ioin the editorial stan OF the New
York Tribune" The following year
he became managing editor of the
newspaper and when Mr.. Greeley was
nominated for the presidency IN 1872,
Reid was advanced to the position of
editor-In-chief. When Horace Greeley
died. In the fall OF that year, he be-
came chief proprietor as well as ed
itor OF the paper.
In 1873 President Hayes offered Mr..
Reid the United states mission TO Der.
I'm. which was declined The offer
was renewed under the administration
OF President Garfield and again de'
clined.
IN March. 1889, President Harrison
appointed Mr.. Reid United stafes min
lister TO France and this was accepted.
Amer securing from the French gov