The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-02-05
THE LATE GEORGE .. PERKINS

The LATE GEORGE D. PERKINS.
Hon. George D. Perkins, editor oil
the Sioux City Journal, who passed
away at his home early ON Tuesday
morning last, was the acknowledged
head OF the newspaper profession in
this state. When this Is said much is
said, for Iowa is known far and y ide
nor Its many able and worthy journal.
lists. The state ranks In this particu.
lar far above the average. Among
these Mr.. Perkins was easily first
Some OF the reasons for this pre-
leminence are set forth in the com.
ments OF the state press on his char.
Iacter. talents and life work. The
Burlington Hawk-Eye says that he had
Keen perception Of what WAS right
and what was fair. HE believed in
lglvlng others the benefit of all that
was their due, and he felt that he and
MS were entitled to what were their
rights. FIe was high minded, true
Hearted, practical and successful In
everything that was really worth
while. Thus George D. Perkins was
an Ideal man. and his editorial ex.
rressions were strong and valuable he.
cause they always reflected this per.
sonal attitude of mind and disposi.
ton" The Hawk-Eye also saws that
ne was more than an editorial writer:
he was constructive statesman. a
puDlictst, legislator and leader.
AFTER thirty-four years keen COM
Petition with Mr.. Perkins in the Sioux
City newspaper field and MANY sharp
conflicts John Kelley, editor and pub.
usher OF the Sioux City Tribune.
writes approximately of him in that
paper He was to the Sioux CITY
Journal" writes Mr.. Kelley. "wbat
Horace Greeley was to the New York
tribune, or Charles A. Dana to the
New York Sun. AS they had NO sue.
cesar, SO there will be no other
George D. Perkins. AS thew were
strong, SO was he and it could NOT no
otherwise than that they lived In their
newspapers, and he lived in his, of
the announcement Of his death the
same authority says:
IT will bring tears to the ave. .,
widows and orphans to whom he PAVE
comfort when ruthless death struck
their master and it will start the
voices OF statesmen to whom he was
Ia spear and buckler. The tears and
prayers of the weak and sufferin- he
had helped would be sweetest to him
now could he catch the rythm OF the
music In their sadness
In speaking of his standing among
Iowa newspaper men the Marshall
town Times-Republican says:
Mr. Perkins held peculiar pre-
eminence among Iowa editors His
lifetime OF service, his distinctive
abilities combined with simplicity OF
l:fe and true kindness Of heart to
endear him to the editorial fraternity
His newspaper was model. His ed
jftorial style and expression unexcelled
by the editorial pages of any news
paper however more pretentious or of
more metropolitan opportunity. The
editors of the state turned to him as
/ to friend and kindly relative. And
I so 1t was that he became Uncle George
t TO all the newspaper writers of three
states, title as affectionately con-
ferred and as well deserved and justi-
I fed as though it had been the accident
| of blood relationship instead of having
jheen earned by kindness and bestowed
in love and respect. No man will be
missed more than he"
The Cedar Rapids Republican testi-
fies that Mr.. Perkins was in every
sense a great newspaper man. He
won his success by being always sane
and substantial. He never catered and
he never lowered his standards for
the passing whims of politicians or
upheavals. He held his course along
the highest ideals not only Of his pro-
fession but OF citizenship and man
hood. He never lowered the banners
of right or righteousness. He kept
the faith and he made the valiant
fight for the right and toward the
highest and noblest ends.
"In his death Iowa has lost not only
its foremost editor and publicist, but
one of its most distinguished citizens
The Republican concludes its appre-
citation of him by saying that an oak
in all the glory Of maturity, and in al
its strength, has fallen among us.
The Des Moines Register and Lead
Ter remarks that fifty years is long
time to spend in vigorous activity In
; one community, to be known intimate