Evening journal., 1913-04-21
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
How Amos Cummings Be-
came Managing Editor
By Holland

from 1887 until his death in 1902.
represented a New York city district
in the lower house OF Congress at
Washington, was earlier widely
known as a very successful news
paper man. Mr.. Cummings was also
proud of the fact that he got his
training for newspaper work by learn
Ing TO set type. After service in the
Civil War he was employed by the
New York Tribune where in fact, be-
fore the war he had served as COM
positor and later as proofreader. On
the night of Washington's birthray. in
1860, Mr.. Cummings read proof OF the
now historic address delivered by Abb
raham Lincoln at Cooper Institute,
New York, Mr.. Lincoln sat by his side
holding the manuscript while Cum
mings read the proof.
Cummings. of course. never had
dreamed that the men who held the
manuscript sheets would become[
President of the United States, nor
did he have the slightest idea that
the manuscript itself would be of any
value. It was kept for while and
then sold, with other waste paper, TO
the junkman.
Mr.. Cummings established his
fame as journalist while serving as
managing editor Of the New York Sun,
under Charles A. Dana. | asked him
one day why he gave up a fine posi-
zion which he held as city editor OF
the New York Tribune In reply be
said:
We'll. if I tell you that story
shall have to tell you one of several
incidents which have happened in the
course of my active life when. after
having been discharged, or told that
my services were no longer needed.
I passed speedily from a position OF
disappointment and in one or two in
stances positions Of despair. TO Que OF
exhiliaration. I have lost positions
and I have been discharged for one
reason or another several times, but
in every case what at the moment
seemed TO be misfortune proved to
be real advantage to me.
81 began work on the Tribune by
'subbing' at the case. did not give
satisfaction for some reason and lost
my place, but I was almost immedi-
ately offered the position of proof
reader. which was an advance.
enlisted in a New Jersey regiment(
at the beginning Of the war. but re.
tired from service on account of poor
health in 1869. 7 almost Immediately
got place on tho Tribune. | gave
dissatisfaction in one department. but
the result of IL was that I was made
one of the editors of the Weekly
Tribune. After a year or two in this
! department I became city editor OF
the Tribune.
"I presume was a little hot
headed and impatient at times, al
though I always meant TO be fair.
/ / must have been in that condition OF
mind when some one of the sub
ordnates brought me communica
/ ticn which did not read. I was
provoked. for just at that moment
I was intensely occupied with some
matter which would not tolerate in
terruption. I presume ! spoke in
strong language.
To my intense astonishment I re-
ceived notice a few hours later that
was discharged. No reason WAS
given and ] sought none. I was tolo
that I was discharged for iDsubor-
dination and profanity. II seems that
the communication which was sem
to me came from the managing edi-
tor. although | did not know it AZ
the time
well 7 went out upon the street
a good deal more broken up than I
revealed in my manner. A day or
two later it occurred 10 me TO drop
into the office of the New York Sun
and sec Mr.. Dana. was brought
into frequent contact with Mr. Dana
when he was managing editor of the
Tribune. just before the war. and
was Droofreader In some way ! goe
the idea that Mr.. Dana liked me, so 7
ventured to call upon him at the
Sun Office. Il was only little while
no n
or and editor Of the Sun.
"I remember that when he admitted
me the first thing that struck me was
that Mr. Dana was wearing a black
skullcap. ! said to myself Dana
must have grown bald since l used
10 know him In the Tribune Office.
But I forgot all about the skull can
in an instant, for 7 saw that Mr..
Dana remembered. He called me by
name. and bis greeting was very cor
dial.
II said to him that had called to
see il / could not get a place upon
the Sun. did not care what
"Why. Amos said be in reply. 4
thought you we're city editor Of the
Tribune
But 7 have been discharged
what Ntlt gou uloShdt bCu loi
Mr.. Dana asked.
''Well.' replied. the only reason
given TO me was that it was for in
suhordination and profanity
characterization and profanity in
the Tribune oflicel said Mr. Dana
saw that the idea amused him for
he knew what the Tribune Office was
AZ last he said:
lowell. il you were discharged
from the Tribune for that reason
think you are Just the man | have
been looking for here. I will put YOU
at the managing cditor's desk, for
2 we need one
so you see my discharge from the
Tribune led 10 my employment in a
more influential capacity and at q
considerably larger salary on the Sun.
where Mr.. Dana always gave me a
free hand"
Copyright, 1913, by E. J. Edwards. An
rights reserved.
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell OF
1.-TWO Cases of Mysterious Disappear
ance Recalled"