History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 37

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 37

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In 1866, President Johnson appointed Mr. Merritt United States Pension Agent. Being an avowed Democrat, it is thought his appoint-

ment had much to do with hastening the pass- age of the tenure-of-office act, necessitating the presentation of his name to the United States Senate for confirmation. It was accordingly sent in; and that body being strongly Repub- lican, he was rejected. It was again sent in by the President, and again rejected. The third time did the President present the name of Mr. Merritt for confirmation, and the third time was it rejected. No other reason was assigned for his rejection, but that he was not of the political faith to suit the majority. His ability to discharge the duties of the office was not doubted.

In 1875, Mr. Merritt was appointed a member of the School Board of Springfield; was re-ap- pointed in 1878, and again in 1881, for the term of three years.

On December 13, 1879, the sale of the State Register to Geo. W. Weber, J. R. Weber, J. H. Oberly and Chas. Edwards, was consummated. Mr. Oberly did not remain in the new company, which was organized January 5, 1880, with Geo. W. Weber as president. The editorial chair was temporarily filled ; and finally, the permanent editorial arrangement was announced, in the state- ment that thereafter the paper would be " edited by the proprietors." George W. Weber was the acknowledged editor-in-chief, and succeeded in making an interesting paper.

George W. and J. R. Weber are the sons of George R. Weber, the founder of the Republi- can, and one of the original proprietors of the Register, on its removal from Vandalia. They were both born in Springfield, and are both practical printers. George W. has had much experience in editorial life, having edited the Taylorville Democrat for some time, and assist- ed on other papers. He is a ready and graceful writer.

The Illinois State Register has been owned and published since June 18, 1881, by Messrs. Smith, Clendenin & Rees, who purchased it of Governor Palmer and the old State Register Company.

The firm as above named is constituted of George Smith, Henry W. Clendenin, and Thomas Rees. These gentlemen are all old newspaper men, having been engaged in edi- torial and practical work in the States of Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri for from twenty to thirty years. For the past five years, they have been engaged in publishing the Keokuk (Iowa) Daily and Weekly Constitution, which under their management became the leading Demo- cratie paper of Iowa. Mr. Clendenin acted as

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editor-in-chief of the Constitution under his firm's proprietorship.

George Smith was born in Newark, Ohio, Feb- ruary 28, 1827. He began his career as a printer and publisher early in life. He has followed it without variation until the present time. Mr. Smith has no superior as a journalist in his de- partment. Ile brings to the Register the ex- perience of thirty-five years and the natural energy and acquired skill that always placed him at the top in every newspaper enterprise with which he has been connected. Mr. Smith has general supervision of the practical depart- ment of the Register.

H. W. Clendenin was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Angust 1, 1838. His father, Sam. M. Clendenin, an old-line Jeffersonian Demo- crat, removed to Iowa in 1839, and settled at Burlington, where he occupied various offices of trust and profit in the gift of the Democracy. Mr. Clendenin received an academical educa- tion at Burlington, and served his time as a printer on the Burlington Hawkeye, which was under the management, a portion of the time, of James M. Broadwell, a brother of Judge Broad- well, of Springfield. Mr. Clendenin has occu- pied various practical and editorial positions in this and other States. He had charge of the Metamora (Illinois) Sentinel for one year, and of the Burlington Gazette for about the same length of time. He entered the army from Philadelphia, enlisting in the Twentieth Penn- sylvania Infantry, serving a portion of his time under General Mcclellan. Mr. Clendenin has editorial charge of the Register as editor-in- chief, the same position he occupied on the Con- stitution. His articles attract attention, and are widely quoted; and under his management the Register is fast attaining the leading position which it should occupy as the central organ of the Illinois Democracy.

Thomas Rees comes of a family of journalists. His father, the late Wm. Rees, Sr., was an editor of many years standing, and several of his brothers are at present following the "art pre- servative of all arts" in different portions of the West. Mr. Rees was born in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, May 13, 1850, and came with his father to the West when a small child. He served his time as a practical printer in his brother's office at Keokuk. Since his manhood he has ever oc- cupied responsible positions in connection with various newspapers in Missouri and Iowa. When the firm of which he is a member, and which own the Register, purchased the Keokuk Constitution, he became business manager, and has gained

and deserves the reputation of being one of the best business managers in the West. He occu- pies the position of business manager of the Register, and under his skillful and honorable tactics the business department of the paper is kept up to the highest and most successful standard. The Register, under its present pro- prietors, has been improved in every department, until it is one of the handsomest, ablest and best conducted papers in the State. The daily has a large and increasing circulation. The proprie- tors have enlarged the weekly to an eight col- umn quarto, each page being twenty by twenty- six inches in size-eight pages, eight columns to a page. A new dress has been put on. It is now the largest paper in the State, not excepting the Chicago papers; and will bear comparison in ap- pearance, make-up and general character of its contents with any paper in the country. No men ever met with a warmer or more cordial reception than they met from the people and Press. Every Democratic paper in the State felt and expressed satisfaction that the recognized organ of the party at the State Capital had fallen into the hands of men with capital, brains and backbone to make the paper a true representative and worthy exponent of Democratic views. The Republican papers, while not wishing them any success politically, wished them every pecuniary success. In the "Proprietor's Announcement," the publishers said:

" In assuming control of the Illinois State Register, its new proprietors take off their hats to the citizens of Springfield and the people of Illinois, in acknowledgment that they are the obedient servants of a great constituency, en- trusted with the guardianship of great interests. We profoundly feel the importance of our new position. We do not mean to be prolific in promises, nor boastful of our ability; but we desire with becoming modesty to take posses- sion of a field of labor that has been enriched and adorned by the culture, the talents and the genins of the distinguished gentlemen who have preceded us in conducting the paper during the many years of its useful life. The responsi- bilities of conducting the Register, in view of its past history and the important possibilities of the future, are manifold and great, and in assuming them we shall endeavor to perform the duties devolving upon us with carnestness, zeal, industry and courage. In doing this we trust too, and are confident we shall, receive the cordial support and warm sympathy of the busi- ness community and the citizens of Springfield and the State of Illinois.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

" We have purchased the Register and paid for it. It is our property so far as the material is concerned; but in a broader, wider sense we want the Register to be the people's paper. We intend to be its defender of their rights and a con- server of their interests in every contest waged against the people, either by monopolizing cor- porations, corrupt political parties or selfish in- dividuals. Above capital, above parties, above the most conspicuous man or men, above the Nation with a big N, tower the PEOPLE, every letter big, every right belonging to them in- violable. We are convinced that it is not only important, but absolutely essential to the safety of the republic and to the preservation of the liberties of the people that pure Democratic principles shall prevail. We shall maintain the courage of our convictions. The Register will, therefore, ever be found advocating those pure and patriotic Democratic principles, handed down through generations of freemen from the founders of the republic. In doing this, it shall respect those who honestly differ with it as to methods. While waging an unrelenting war- fare upon every form of encroachment upon popular liberty as a Democratic paper, it will recognize that in every party there are good and pure men, battling for what they conceive to be the best interests of humanity, and will deal courteously with its unerring opponents. Strongly, intensely Democratic, the Register will be the organ of no man or set of men. With cliques and factions it will hold no fellow- ship.

"The new proprietors of the Register have come to Springfield to become citizens and to identify themselves with the interests of the city, the county and the State. The 'Springfield idea ' and the 'Illinois idea' will be the object of our most earnest exertions. Our efforts will be largely devoted to making the Register a valuable local paper-an indispensable visitor at every home in the city, and a most influential factor in the growth and prosperity of the city and State. We come among the people of this section of the State comparative strangers, but with such indorsements as but few newspaper men have ever received at the hands of a gener- ous Press throughout the states of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. We are confident we shall soon feel at home, locally and socially. We shall strive to prove worthy of the confidence and esteem of the people.

"The business of the Register will be con- ducted on business principles. Thomas Rees, the junior member of the firm, becomes man-

ager, and will make his own announcements in the local department of the paper. Mr. George W. Weber, who has filled the editorial chair for a year and a half, retires, and H. W. Clendenin becomes managing editor. Mr. Weber has our best wishes for success in whatever field he may select.

"No change is contemplated in the local or mechanical departments, except that Mr. George Smith, the senior proprietor, will have general supervision of the mechanical work of the establishment."

As soon as all necessary arrangements could be completed, both the Daily and Weekly Reg- ister appeared in new type, presenting a very handsome appearance. The weekly was en- larged to an eight column quarto, making it the largest paper in the State.

As a printing office, the Illinois State Register establishment is mammoth and complete. It occupies a building erected especially for the business, fronting on Monroe street, between Fifth and Sixth, and extending back to the alley, one hundred and fifty-seven feet. On the ground floor are located the business office, sub- scription department, job room, press room, stock room, and boiler room; also a fire-proof vault for the preservation of the files of the paper. On the floor above are located the edi- torial rooms, and back of same, the composing room. The building is well lighted with win- dows on both sides the entire length, and heated by steam, conveyed in pipes throughout the entire structure. In addition to the newspaper, an extensive book and job business is carried on, which gives employment to a large number of persons.

The whole establishment is laid out on a scale for carrying on a large business. The press room is supplied with six first-class presses, a steam paper cutter, and other suitable conveni- ences. Four of the presses are expensive cylin- der machines, three being of the world-renowned Hoe pattern.

There are about forty hands employed in the business, besides a corps of correspondents scat- tered throughout the country. The pay-roll is in proportion to the business carried on, and amounts to thousands of dollars more, every year, than the amount collected from the citi- zens of Springfield; so, that the city is con- stantly receiving a greater financial benefit from the Register, than the Register receives from all the people living in the city,-to say nothing of the indirect benefit that a live paper is to any community.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

The Daily Register is issued every day in the week, except Monday, and the Weekly is issued every Wednesday.

Under the management of Smith, Clendenin & Rees, the daily has more than doubled its cir- culation, and the already large list of the weekly has received many new names. The list will be at least trebled the first year.

DAILY ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER.

The Daily Register was commenced in 1848, and its history is substantially that of the weekly, already given. The same editors and publishers of the one have been publishers of the other. It is now under the control of Smith, Clendenin & Rees; a large eight-column folio, printed on new type, and filled each day with general and local news. In every department it shows good · management and business tact.

SANGAMO MONITOR.

On the first day of May, 1873, the first num- ber of the Sangamo Monitor appeared, with T. W. S. Kidd, editor and proprietor. The Moni- tor presented a very neat appearance, being an eight-column folio, and filled well with readable matter. The editor was well known to every citizen of Springfield and Sangamon county, and not altogether unknown throughout the State, especially by those having had business in the United States Court or the Supreme Court of this State, having been Crier of the United States District Court for many years. Being a capital story-teller, of the Lincoln school, he made many friends. Of course the people looked for something spicy in the newspaper line, nor were they disappointed. The saluta- tory of the editor read as follows:

" We would rather the readers of the San- gamo Monitor would watch the course pursued for the first year of its existence and draw their own conclusions in reference to our position on matters of public interest, than to set ourselves about defining the same. Custom has made the practice of newspapers foreshadowing the course pursued by them, obligatory upon us to intimate where we may be found on the questions of the day

" We will be independent- we won't occupy a neutral position on any question, if we have concluded as to the right course. We know the truthfulness of the old adage, 'Wise men change, fools never,' too well however to say that we will not change front on matters of pub- lie interest, when convinced of error.

" Our predilictions may, and as all well know

will, have much to do in forming our opinion on public topics, and we are perfectly willing to trust them. American all over, in our National pride-Democratic ( not in a partisan sense) to the marrow, in our sentiments and principles,- edneated by an honest woman, and naturally disposed to take the golden rule as our guide, and the side of the under dog in the fight, in the relations of life, we will ask an indulgent public to credit us in the outset with a reasonably good basis, on which they can rest assured that the chances for our being right in the main are at least good. 'No pent up Utica' shall confine our power to wield what influence we have on the side of the people. Springing ourselves from the forge, used to the hard knocks of the apprentice, then the jour, and lastly having ' bossed' ita little, we think we possess, in a rea- sonable degree, such sympathies as will lead us not to forget the 'pit from whenee we have been digged.'

"Politically, the honest man, when placed by his party friends upon a tieket, or struggling in- dependently for a place in the service of the people, can fully expect justice at our hands, while the manipulator of cliques and the cat's- paw of rings, need expect no mercy, let him be the nominee of any convention held by whatso- ever party. We naturally detest deceit, whether practiced by cliques or individuals, under the cloak of religion, politics, law, or morals, and we intend to wage war against all such with all the energy and vim of our nature, regardless of greenbacks or relations, leaving consequences to take care of themselves.

"In a word, the Monitor will aim to be just what its name indicates, watching the acts and doings of the world at large, and reporting the same with impartial truthfulness to the readers every week; the iron-clad and double-turreted coaster, watching our National and State pros- perity; ready with shot and shell to do battle for the 'greatest good for the greatest number.'"'

The Monitor from the beginning has made war against monopolies, and in favor of the rights of the people. Starting at a time when the people, especially the farming community, had raised the standard of anti-monopoly, the Monitor naturally sided with those battling for this cause, and its columns will bear witness of the many points made in defense of the doc- trines advocated. 1

In the fall election, in 1873, the Monitor ad- vocated the election of the Democratic nomi- nees, and has since continued to support the men of that party, though feeling and exercis-

The & Lauphier

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

ing the liberty of criticising the acts of every public officer.

The Monitor was started under what might be termed very unfavorable circumstances. Pos- sessed of but little capital, as regards dollars and cents, but with plenty of pluck and perse- verance, its editor and publisher has triumphed over every obstacle, and has made the Monitor a success in every particular. Few daily or weekly papers in this country have been estab- lished without sinking a large amount of capi- tal, but the Monitor can boast of no such expe- rience. From the start, it has had a living patronage, and from its profits has been gath- ered together the material of a complete news- paper and job office. Both the daily and weekly pay the publisher a fair profit, having each a large circulation and a good advertising patron- age.

SANGAMO DAILY MONITOR.

The Sangamo Daily Monitor made its first appearance Thursday, June 28, 1877. The fol- lowing characteristic editorial appeared in the first number:

"SHAKE-FATHERS, GIVE US A GRIP-SONS, PASS US YOUR PAW-MOTHERS, ACCEPT OUR MOST PROFOUND BOW-SISTERS, WE EMBRACE YOU-R DELICATE DUKE-BLESS AND BELIEVE US, FOR WE MEAN BUSINESS .- Like the gaily bedecked merry-maker of the big show, we bounce into the ring of daily journalism, hoping to be able to hold our own for another 'thirty days" trip into the sea of journalistic troubles, and a daily change of programme. We have grown tired of seeing and unfolding our bosom and budget to you but once a week. We want to talk to you daily, and tell you all we know of war, of crops, of politics, of religion, of law, and what we have heard in our rambles, about news and matters transpiring during the fast-unfold- ing events of twenty-four hours. We have grown chafed and weary of seeing those whom we hope to stir up to a little more evidence of life, have six words to our one, when 'talk's cheap,' and printers can be had for nothing; when paper-makers and type foundries furnish freely and gratis, and when close corporated monopolistic champions of the freedom of the Press are gaining such enviable notoriety by furnishing news to the people at a penny a line. "We are among you. You all know us, and can trust us or not, as you like; of this we have no fear. Our motto, 'Do your best, with cor- rect motives; then let the consequences take care of themselves,' has seen us through so far, and we hope will to the end. We propose to 27 --

take a hand in 'posting the people.' not to preju- dice them, but letting everybody know what everybody else is doing who don't, won't or can't behave themselves according to the old ten, or new or eleventh commandment. Naughty humanity, behave yourself, if you don't desire a blast from the Monitor. 'Ilold your horses,' fast youth, or crooked beauty, unless notoriety is more precious than the quiet calm of virtue's peaceful abode, and the joy of domestic felicity irksome to the speed of untamed nature, when without the balance wheel of wisdom and the pleasure-producing quality of proper motive. Remember us editorially, bearing in mind the fact that if you desire your hens to be emulated, 'lay your largest egg' on our editorial table. We are ever ready to chronicle events; our jour- nalism teaches us a broader and more general definition than the style of making reading only to the few, 'personal' distinction to fewer, while those upon whom the smile of total endorsement is to be 'smolen' are fewest. If you want to know a little bit of everything, dive into your breeches pocket, get a three-cent piece, and stop the cry of the newsboy by buying a Daily Monitor.

" We ask and shall expect your encouragement, not as a craven, but as an honest man who knows he will give an equivalent in every respect. It may seem a trifle; it is-but remember your ' lit- tles' are our 'nickels,' and while you are many and we few, a stoppage of your little for a week or two, by enough of you, might make a hole big enough to sink even a Monitor. Much depends upon trifles in this world; the ocean would cut but a sorry figure swimming fellows like our Grant or Tom Hendricks to England to show our bully old relative how we have 'skipped out' of our 'short frocks and things' since we swelled up his left optic in 1812, if not for trifles; and a great many big fellows around our own neighbor- hood were once very trifling little trifles. . Despise not the day of small things!' Small beginnings make heavy endings, as the fellow said of the avalanche; and it may be that the little Monitor may yet be big enough to defy a torpedo. Give us your hand; your helping hand is the one asked for-we have several of another kind now pressing close on our skirts-and it might be while entertaining the Monitor you may be en- tertaining several small angels in disguise, float- ing around the homes and firesides of the boys depending for their bread upon the success of this enterprise.

" For ourselves, we are carrying a big load, going up a steep hill, and each little fifteen cent

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

drawback is 'the feather that breaks the camel's back' of our success, and the welfare of our set of printers. When we get to the level plain and the load is not so burdensome, we will have lots of time and take bushels of pleasure in returning yon our grip of satisfaction at your action by our frequent notices of your 'style,' business, 'gait,' etc., in an occasional send-off on business, pleas- ure, when you marry, run for office, trade horses, swap dogs, or get into jail. We stand ready with the Monitor to fight to the blue for the honest in life matters, whether clothed in 'pur- ple or fine linen,' or the scanty wardrobe of a tramp, while you live, and when dead will do just as we would you should do with us, bury our faults and foibles, and string togetheramong life's cherished ornaments the sparkling beads of worth found in every nature. Shake!"

Thomas W. S. Kidd, editor and proprietor of the Monitor, was born in New Castle, Delaware, October 22, 1828. His parents were John and Ann (Smith) Kidd, both natives of Delaware, but of Irish descent. His grandfather Kidd, was a farmer, and grandfather Smith, a Presby- terian minister. Both families came across the water on the same vessel; being four months on the ocean. The mother of Thomas died about three years after his birth, quite suddenly after giving birth to his only brother; and his father, about one year after, partly from a cold con- tracted by exposure, and partly by grief from the loss of his wife.

On the death of his father, young Kidd was taken by a most estimable aunt, Mrs. M. J. Mc- Pherson. Remaining in New Castle about one year, the family moved to Quarryville, where his aunt had taken the contract to board a large number of hands who were employed by the Government, in getting out stone for the Dela- ware Breakwater, then being constructed by the Government. Here they remained four years, and where Thomas attended a school about six weeks, which comprised the entire time spent in the school room. Returning to New Castle when he was about nine years old, he spent the next four years in such labor as a boy could do, in order to help the family to a comfortable ex- istence. In 1840. the family moved to Phila- delphia, where Thomas engaged as an errand- boy in a merchant-tailoring establishment, and served about two years. At this establishment T. S. Arthur and other literary celebrities were wont to congregate, and young Kidd, in listen- ing to their conversation, first conceived the idea of learning something of books and of the world. At the expiration of his two years' ser-

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 37

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084