Evening journal., 1912-04-20
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Story Of the American
Interview
By Holland.

For exactly generations time
Laurence A. Gobright was the agent
of the old New York Associated Press
at Washington. He began that service
there shortly after five morning news
papers Of New York in the early for
ties organized the original Associated
Press He remained the Washington
representative of that organization
until his death in 1879.
Mr.. Gobright probably had closer
relations with the distinguished men
of public life from 1914 until 1879 than
did any other newspaper man. lie
was frequently in confidential rela-
tions with Henry Clay, Daniel Web
ster. when Secretary Of State in Fill
mores cabinet. used often to send for
Mr.. Gobright for the purpose of giving
him information to be disseminated by
means OF The Associated Press to the
people Of the United States.
soon after Mr.. Lincoln arrived at
Washington as President he received
Mr. Gobright, who by that time had
acquired the popular sobriquet Of
"papa Gobright.n Mr.. Lincoln said to
! Mr. Gobright that he had been in
formed by Governor Seward, the Sec
retary of State, that MIR. Gobright was
distinguished for discretion, for his
ability to maintain perfect secrecy,
never betraying a confidence, and for
that reason he (Lincoln) probably
would have occasion to make use OF
these Qualities, because there would
be times when it would be important
10 send to the American people in
| formation respecting various affairs
! at Washington.
In all the years from 1914 until 1855
Mir. Gobright WAS careful never 20
quote what any public man had said.
His communications were always inn
personal. He reported facts and gave
inforation, never disclosing his au-
thority. In 1866, however, he had an
extraordinary experience with Andrew
johnson. It was one which led TO the
American interview, a method OF
newspaper reporting SO far as public
men were concerned, which up to the
time OF Andrew Johnson had not been
thought of.
President Johnson became very fond
Of Papa Gobright He used often to
send for Mr. Gobright; sometimes he
would spend an hour or two of an
evening discussing with him the adj
ministration's policies. One evening
! Mr. Gobright said to President john
son:
IF the people could only hear you
talk and expOund your policies as you
have talked 20 me this evening il it
would be the proper thing for you to
take the whole people into your conf
/ dence, talking with them in conver-
sational way as you have talked 10
me- there surely would be a better
general understanding of you and OF
your policies
TO Mr.. Gobrights intense astonish.
ment, the President said q should
be entirely willing TO do that-be yer,
glad to do it, in fact-if you woulC
only tell me how"
But" said Mr. Gobright, ut has
been immenorial custom that neither
the President nor any member Of his
cabinet should be quoted in the news
papers"
THAT is an absurd CUSTOM replied
President Johnson. THAT is sham dig
nifty"
We'll" replied Mr. Gobright, cif yo,
really would be glad to talk in "A con
vcrs3tional way with the AmericaI
people, | can show you how It can b'
done. Il would not be in an accordance
with my own duties to send out fo
The Associated Press a report of
conversation with you, but / know
very capable newspaper man. who il
an expert shorthand reporter. a mar
Of great intelligence, who would b.
very glad to report a conversation
with you, and ! am certain that
would be oven more widely read thai
a Presidential message"
Il am willing to talk in that wa
with any man whom you deem, MI
Gobright, competent and intelligent.
Il will send you a man tomorrow.
Mr. Gobright replied His name
Joseph b. McCullaugh. / am sure tina
you Will like him, and l know that h
will correctly report whatever yo
say"
President Johnson met Mr. McCul
laugh day or two after and talke
with perfect freedom. suggesting os
casionally that certain comment
which he made be omitted from I'll
Interview, a request faithfully ol
. served by Mr.. McCullaugh
Mr.. McCullaugh transcribed hi
notes, submitted tho long hand copy I
the president and the country wa
astounded day or two later over th
report of conversation with the pre-.
ident Of the United States, in whic
he expounded in an informal and cor
versational way some Of his policie
President Johnson always felt thu
= this Interview and those which 70
loved served better to acquaint n
b people with his purposes and polici,
than any number of formal public al
dresses could do; and when he ma,
L. his now traditional Swing around u
circle in which he made mar
, speeches In various cities. he insistl
s that Papa Gobright and Joseph
0 McCullaugh should accompany him
Copyright 1912, by p J Edward
All rights reserved)