The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-28
CAI.METrG THE EDITOR,

"Calmette was a powerful figure in
French politics. lie was my friend
since early manhood. We were near
ly the same age and my wife was god
mother for his nephew, son Of Nj. Cal
mette, one OF the noted chemists of
Northern France" -.
This was part of story unfolded
yesterday to George G. Muth, of
Muth Bros & Co.. by n friend who is
now in Baltimore on business, but
whose family has long been promi-
nent in France. Mr.. Muth's friend
preferred to have his name withheld
from publication, but, continuing, he
told what he knew OF events leading
up to the killing Of M. Calmette. ed
itor OF the Figaro. by the wife Of M.
Caillaux, Minister of Finance.
1T was assuredly not the part of q
gentleman for Calmette to publish a
private letter. written by NJ. Caillaux
to his wife shortly before she became
Mime. Caillaux." he said. Had the
usual French method been followed
Calmette would have been challeng-
ed to duel. We believe in the JUS
tice of this method of settling affairs
OF honor.
"Calmette's rise was phenomenal
10 n youpp man of % or % r Lro,
him when he was secretary to a duke.
a monarchist member OF the Chamber
OF Deputies. IIe was drawing q small
and at that time was wealthy
and able to entertain him. He fire.
quently dined at my home and we
grew TO be fast friends. His father
was prefect OF n department, a po-
sition corresponding TO a governorship
here.
MY young friend had received an
excellent education. He longed for
position, and soon he discovered that
being secretary to a Deputy was not
q position to afford him a rapid rise.
He said to. me one day--I have it. l
shall be a reporter
He went to the office of the Figaro
and was sent out to write accidents
and things of that sort. Soon he was
promoted to the position OF editor
OF the reduction something like your
city editor in America, a man who as
sembles the news and sees that the
paper goes out in attractive form.
THE Figaro. founded by De Viii
lemesant. later conducted by Mag
nard. was then In the hands of Pc
rivier and De Rodays. My friend
Calmette had married u daughter of
NJ. Prestat. chairman OF the council
OF administration. or board of direc-
tors OF the paper. Prestat had Civ
on his daughter several hundred
thousand francs at the time OF the
wedding
Finally, the Dreyfus affair came to
stir all France. Perivier and his as
sociates were printing editorials every
day denouncing the authorities and
calling for justice for Drcyfus. This
for months. The Figaro
was welding tremendous influence.
but at that time Dreyfus was not pop
ular The papers circulation was
falling Off NJ. Prestat called a meet
ing of the council of administration
and NJ. Calmette was elected editor.
with his anti-Dreyfus opinions
1T was not an easy task for CAL
mette TO step in and change the whole
policy of the Figaro. but he was a
diplomatist. He had from bOyhOod
known the ways OF gaining q point
without offending the sensibilitics of
those with whom he dealt. So the
Figaro was brought to position
where IL was us much against Dreyfus
as 1t had been pro-Dreyfus in the
beginning.
"Calmettes fame was far-rcachng.
WdS W TIC IHOSt ltSN-
ionablc homes I'm Paris. Politicians
sought him for advice. and if legisla-
ton was to be enacted he was con-
suited first by the lawmakers. If the
Figaro fought "a measure it was al
most sure of defeat.
Then another piece of good for
tune came To Calmcttc. He was an
intimate friend of NJ. Chauchard. pro-
pritctor of IA department store called
the Louvre. Chauchard died and ia
his will $4,000 was given to Cal
mettc IL has been stated that Cal
metto received salary OF $4,000 a
yc0i from the Figaro.
In the years that succeeded
Calmcttc was one of the big fgurt $
OF the nation. The newspaper O.!
which he was the head. was the iI-
StitutiOn I'm Paris which entcrtain,l