Charles A. Dana was not far behind the Bennetts in his independence. He
well knew what parties and politicians are. The most scholarly and
accomplished of American journalists, he made the Sun “shine for all,”
and, during the years of his active management, a most prosperous
property. It happened that whilst I was penny-a-lining in New York I
took a piece of space work—not very common in those days—to the Tribune
and received a few dollars for it. Ten years later, meeting Mr. Dana at
dinner, I recalled the circumstance, and thenceforward we became the
best of friends. Twice indeed we had runabouts together in foreign
lands. His house in town, and the island home called Dorsoris, which he
had made for himself, might not inaptly be described as very shrines of
hospitality and art, the master of the house a virtuoso in music and
painting no less than in letters. One might meet under his roof the
most diverse people, but always interesting and agreeable people.
Perhaps at times he carried his aversions a little too far. But he had
reasons for them, and a man of robust temperament and habit, it was not
in him to sit down under an injury, or fancied injury. I never knew a
more efficient journalist. What he did not know about a newspaper, was
scarcely worth knowing.
In my day Journalism has made great strides. It has become a recognized
profession. Schools of special training are springing up here and
there. Several of the universities have each its College of Journalism.
The tendency to discredit these, which was general and pronounced at
the start, lowers its tone and grows less confident.
Assuredly there is room for special training toward the making of an
editor. Too often the newspaper subaltern obtaining promotion through
aptitudes peculiarly his own, has failed to acquire even the most
rudimentary knowledge of his art. He has been too busy seeking “scoops”
and doing “stunts” to concern himself about perspectives, principles,
causes and effects, probable impressions and consequences, or even to
master the technical details which make such a difference in the
preparation of matter intended for publication and popular perusal. The
School of Journalism may not be always able to give him the needful
instruction. But it can set him in the right direction and better
prepare him to think and act for himself.
Chapter the Twenty-Eighth
Bullies and Braggarts—Some Kentucky Illustrations—The Old Galt
House—The Throckmortons—A Famous Sugeon—“Old Hell’s Delight”
I
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