The Hawaiian gazette., 1918-05-17
GREAT EDITOR AND I
!. PUBLISHER IS DEAD
lanes Gordon Bennett Owner Of
New York Herald, Passes
Away In Paris .

/ u. 1890 o'"uh BENNETT, editor and
owner OF the New York Herald. one
q the Pest known newspapermen in
tine world, died at his residence here
yesterday The editor was uncop.
scious for two days prior to his death
| several thousand miles away from
MS main newspaper office, James Cor.
don Bennett directed in minute detail
the affairs Of the New York Herald
and maintained FOR himself one of the
most commanding positions in Ameri.
ran journalism. For more than A quar-.
ter OF O century he lived IN Paris and
worked simultaneously there, and in
New YORK. No man before him or
since has attempted Such long distance
From almost every other angle Ma
position in the newspaper world has
| been unique. Upon the death Of his
father, who was founder of the Herald.
The younger Bennett, then lust past
thirty years, inherited the largest
newspaper fortune accumulate by any
American publisher up TO that time.
He applied 1t toward achievements ito
startle the public and thus redown to
the credit of his newspaper. In many
instances these achievements became
important items in the world s history.
Financed Stanley
Such was the policy be inaugurated
when as managing editor in 1870 he
ordered Henry NJ. Stanley into the
heart of Africa to find Livingstone !:
snch3 when he sent the Inflated
Jeanette expedition to discover the
North Pola; such when he Joined in
the laying of the commercial cable;-
all typical instances of enterprise to
make news or further its transmits
sion.
In contrast to the personal journal.
ism Of the elder Bennett and Greeley
type, the younger Bennett was one Of
the first to sound the impersonnl note.
He declared that his paper should be
come sort of republic of which no
man or party should hold controk
From the first he refused to recognize
|, celebritles" as compared with
workers" on his staff, and it is re
lated that even when Stanley came
back, from his triumph in Africa.
young Bennett rewarded him with the
mean assignment of Towering" the
Tenderioin police district in New
York. r.
Started Paris Edition
When Mr.. Bennett moved to Paris
in 1887 he started the Paris edition
of the New York Herald and again
took unique position, as this is still
the only American daily newspaper
published In Europe. During this resi-
,dehee abroad, broken only by the un.
expected arrival of the Bennett Yacht
in New York harbor once every two
or three years for O short stop, the
editors in immediate control of the
New York Herald kept chair at their
eonference, table always vacant for
the absent editor, one Of his own ideas
to keep. his man imbued with the spirit
that he was "bcss," although several
thousand miles away.
The Herald, marked infinitely with
the names of the men who had writ
ten certain articles or news stories,
was forwarded 10 him in Paris daily.
He kept in touch with every detail of
personnel and policy. Daily, or often.
er, the cable from Paris, or wherever
he might be sojourDing in his Yacht.
brought the editor in-chief's executive
orders, for promotion or discharge, for
or reprimand, or sketch Of
general policies. 3,
His whims, amounting his critics
said, to eecentricities, were one of the
most interesting angles Of his person.
atty. 1t is related that he dismissed
musical critic simply because "hc
was such funny looking man." ana
put the Fl ncial editor in his place;
and that a Copy" boy who ran into
the pit of Mr.. Bennett s stomach in
the Herald Office received several dol
lars reward for his unusual haste.
These and many instances like them
were traditions Of Herald employees.
Laughed at Conventions
He laughed at conventions, and in
printed in the Herald the
worst things his enemies said about
him. When Jay Gould gave to the
press letter of 10000 words attack
ing Bennett 3 personal life, the editor
Of the Herald turned about and pub
lished it in full with the curt remark
that Mr.. Gould was "a gentleman. "
When John Kelley, leader of Tam
many Hall, publicly assailed Mr.. Ben
nett 8 character, he retorted: 1.-THE |
Of the Herald lost his repu.
tation long before Mr.. Kelley was |
ever heard Of" He swung his news |
paper from one side to another in pub |
lie questions with startling abruptness. |
He was assailed for many years for
The persona" advertisements which |
we're once an unrestrained feature Of |
ais paper, In 1907 he bowed to the |
aw with payment of fine of 5000,
when the court characterized the |
Herald personals as "a public stencil"
In his innumerable promotions, all
Fearing upon the promotion of his
newspaper, Mr.. Bennett figured as a
Notable patron Of sport. He intro.
luced polo into America; revived
Coaching in France; organized interna-
ional automobile and aeronautical
aces, and built and sailed numerous
,achts.
Born a New Yorker
Mr. Bennett was born in New York
ity, May 10, 1871. When seventy
hree years old, in 1914, he married
n Paris the Baroness de Renter,
widow of George Julius de Reuter-, O
on Of the founder of Reuters, Lin
ted, British telegraphic news service
The Baroness was then about forty
ears old and the mother of two chill
lren, She was formerly an American,
Maud Potter, daughter of John Pot,
or of Philadelphia.
On the day before his marriage, Mr..