USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 15
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543
CIRCULATING LIBRARIES.
This was an institution that exercised a wide-spread influence for good in the community and for many years was very successful. A number of leading citizens became interested in the establishment of a library and in- stitute of such a character and after considerable agitation, made an appeal to the public for contributions of books, pamphlets, periodicals, etc. This appeal was made at the close of a lecture given in Market Hall (the old City Hall) by Dr. Mark Hopkins, then President of Williams College, and the cit- izens were notified that they would be called upon for contributions the next day. The next morning two boys (one of them Daniel W. Fiske, afterwards professor in Cornell University, and the other Edwin Smith, who became a successful attorney of Kennebunkport, Me.) started out on the work with a large basket. Their success was most encouraging. One of the first librar- ians of the Institute was Dr. Henry Gregory, then rector of St. Paul's church, and his zealous and untiring efforts contributed in a large measure to the success of the institution. The Franklin Institute, as it was com- monly known, gained a reputation that extended throughout Central New York and drew to its fairs, held annually in Wieting Hall, crowds of de- lighted people from surrounding counties, as well as from the city. The Library was for many years located in commodious apartments in the Wieting Block, and it became one of the established and useful institutions of Syracuse. Before its members and friends such men as Thomas T. Davis, Zaccheus Newcomb, Wing Russell, Judge James Noxon, Judge North, C. B. Sedgwick, S. D. Dillaye, and many others, delivered lectures which were listened to with appreciation.
But this institution, brilliant as were its prospects at one time, at last fell into decline, and was finally closed out and its effects sold. Many of its books found their way into the other libraries of the city.
About the year 1844 the Society for Mutual Instruction was founded, which, although not a library strictly speaking, bore a close relationship thereto, through the character of the benefits conferred by it. The officers and members of the society were each assigned a branch of natural science, and in rotation each furnished an original essay at each weekly evening meeting, with natural specimens for illustrations, which were supplemented by information contributed by all the members upon the topic under dis- cussion for the evening. The first year the members met in the school house on Church street, and the last year in A. G. Salisbury's school room, near the old Congregational church (site of the present Convention block) on East Genesee street. This society was of great benefit. A member afterwards reported the first course of lectures delivered in this country by Professor Agassiz, and wrote to a friend that he could not have filled that position had it not been for information acquired as a member of the Soci- ety for Mutual Instruction. The record of its organization is as follows :
544
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
OFFICERS.
President, Rev. Samuel J. May, Etymology.
Secretary A. G. Salisbury, Conchology. Teacher till July 1, 1864, Paymaster at New Orleans in the war of the rebellion, superintendent of Auburn prison.
Treasurer, W. HI. Scram, Geology. A teacher in No. 7 public school, removed in 1847 to New York city.
MEMBERS.
Miss A. Bradbury, Anamalcule. Principal of Young Ladies' Seminary in Syracuse died Sep- tember 12, 1850.
Mrs. A. M. Redfield, Radiates.
Miss Mary Allen, Conchology. Principal of female seminaries in Rochester and Syracuse.
Dr. Dunlap, Physiology.
Rev. - Stebbins, Anthropology. Removed in 1848 to Florence, Ga.
Mr. Stetson, Icthyology. Teacher at No. 5 public school, died in 1848 or 1849 in Syracuse. Joseph A. Allen, Meterology. Teacher in the Academy.
M. Burr, Herpetology. I'rinting in New York in IS48.
Dr. T. D. Washburn, Entozoa. Removed west.
Mr. Stanton. Afterward a teacher in Buffalo, and later Secretary of the State of New York.
School Libraries .- Small circulating libraries were connected with the district schools from almost the date of their formation, and were continued a few years under the city organization. These school libraries did a vast amount of good. They were almost the only free source of reading for the masses of the people. The report of the Superintendent of 1857 said : "No equal amount of public money is doing more good to the community than that expended in the purchase of books for the district libraries. There are nine of these libraries, so distributed over the city as to be conveniently ac- cessible to every one. The aggregate number of the volumes is 4,620. During the year (1857) twenty thousand volumes have been drawn. This extensive reading, principally by the pupils attending the schools, but largely by others, cannot fail to have an important influence in forming the taste and habits of those who thus devote their leisure hours."
These libraries were continued until the adoption of the plan of a Cen- tral Library, at which time many of the less valuable and important books were sold, and the standard and valuable works turned over to that library.
The Central Library .- This library was opened to the public on the first of May, 1855, in which year it was enlarged by the addition of two hundred volumes of standard works. When the High School building was com- pleted in 1869 it was transferred to its present well-arranged and spacious apartments on the first floor of that building. The Central Library is in- tended not so much for circulation as for collecting standard books of ref- erence, and keeping them where they may be conveniently consulted. Nev- ertheless, it has a circulating department, free to all citizens above ten years of age. The reference department is open to all persons above the age of fourteen. The Library is under the direction of the Board of Education, and is conducted by the Rev. E. W. Mundy and an assistant, under a strict yet liberal system of rules and regulations.
Suicenty yours Ist. Repito 1
11-
545
THE PRESS OF SYRACUSE.
We give the following comparative statistics of the Central Library, fom (867 to 1839, inclusive :
Years.
In Library.
Circulation.
Average daily circulation.
5.327
31 000
7,371
10,000
24,310
130
1571
10,592
39,694
129
1572
IF 423
38,956
128
1.573
12,423
36,010
135
1874
13,300
36,672
137
IS75
13.791
41,623
138
1876
14,070
41,057
133
1877
14.289
35,616
175
IS79
13-344
47,760
165
40,525
138
1882
14,603
39,755
130
IS83
15,494
37,906
123
ISS5
17,107
41,433
135
ISSO
17, 182
44,686
146
ISS7
IS,062
39,823
129
18,687
40,542
131
ISSO
20,515
43,416
143
ISgo
21,541
44,393
145
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE PRESS OF SYRACUSE.
The Public Press-Its Character in Syracuse-The Syracuse Standard and its Predecessors -- The Syracuse Journal and its Origin-The Syracuse Courier-The Evening Herald-Weekly Pa- pers-The Religious Press-Defunct Newspapers.
'PHE newspapers of a city are a mirror in which is, or should be, reflected the daily, weekly, and monthly events that constitute the progress of the place in all its aspects ; and the character of the press of a city gener- ally indicates to a degree the enterprise and intelligence of the community. It is believed that the public journals of Syracuse are worthy of favorable comparison with those of any other city of similar size in the country. In searching the files during the past years we find not alone the evidences of active political partisanship evinced by keen and incisive editorials, especi- ally during the various campaigns and able discussions of various subjects, but also a general tone of elevated journalism pervading their columns. A degree of enterprise and ability characterizes their mechanical features that is most commendable.
63
47,218
153
1878
13.423
13,692
36,878
137
15.539
34,296
114
' 5.870
546
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
In compiling a brief historical record of the various publications that have come into being in Syracuse, only a few of which remain as perma- nent factors in the life of the city, while very many ran their brief careers and then joined the majority in oblivion, we will first treat of those that are now in existence, with their direct ancestors, leaving the suspended and presumably less important publications for later consideration.
The Syracuse Standard, now publishing daily, weekly, and Sunday editions, may properly claim the longest life of any newspaper in the city. In the year 1816 Evander Morse, who was quite a prominent citizen of Onondaga Hill, published the first number of the Onondaga Gazette, which he continued about five years. The village on the Hill was then contend- ing for supremacy with the Valley, and this early newspaper was one of the evidences that the former was gaining the ascendency through its import- ance as the county seat. The paper passed into possession of Cephas S. McConnell in 1821, who changed its name to the Onondaga Journal. In 1827 Vivus W. Smith became its proprietor, and two years later, following the tide of migration towards Syracuse, already inaugurated, he removed the establishment to this village. There was then in existence in Syracuse a newspaper called the Syracuse Advertiser, which was started as the sec- ond journal in the village (preceded in 1823 by the Onondaga Gazette) by John F. Wyman and Thomas P. Barnum. Norman Rawson was also connected with it for a time, but Mr. Wyman soon assumed the entire con- trol, which he continued until 1829, at which time the Onondaga Journal was brought here, as stated, and the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Onondaga Standard, the firm style being Wyman & Smith, with the latter as editor. John F. Wyman was a man of ability and con- siderable prominence in the early history of Syracuse, his name often ap- pearing as secretary of public meetings and in other capacities demanding good qualifications.
The partnership of Mr. Smith and Mr. Wyman was dissolved in Janu- ary, 1832, Mr. Wyman retiring. Thomas A. and Silas F. Smith had been learning the practical part of the business in the office, and soon after- ward they assumed proprietorship of the paper, Vivus W. Smith continuing as editor. He soon withdrew, however, and the Journal was transferred to Asahel L. Smith, a brother of V. W., and William L. Crandall. The for- mer was then connected with the Jeffersonian, in Watertown, N. Y., and was a capable business man. Mr. Crandall was a vigorous and able writer, and his columns wielded a potent political influence. He remained on the paper until the close of the exciting political campaign of 1840, and was succeeded January 1, 1841, by Marcellus Farmer as editor and part owner of the establishment. Mr. Farmer was a printer and worked in the South, but came to New York and worked on the Tribune when he purchased his
547
THE PRESS OF SYRACUSE.
interest in the Standard. The firm was Sinith & Farmer, and under their management the paper flourished as an independent Democratic organ. Mr. Farmer retired at the end of four years, went to California, and while on the return voyage in 1852 was lost at sea.
Mr. Crandall canie back as editor of the paper for Mr. Smith, and con- tinued until January 1, 1846, when Patrick HI. Agan purchased a half inter- est and assumed the editorial control. This he continued for twenty years, until May 1, 1866, when, owing to political changes, he withdrew. Mr. Agan, who is still living, is a fearless and independent writer, and under his editorial guidance the Standard gained the respect of his constituency. In 1847 the Syracuse Democrat, started in 1846 by Clark & West, and sold the next year to Jolin Abbott, was absorbed by the Standard.
Various political changes culminated in 1848 in the rejection of the reg- ular delegation to the Baltimore Democratic Convention, and left the "Barn- burners," as they were termed, no part in the choice of a Presidential can- didate and at liberty to bolt, which they did, and the Standard advocated the action and joined in support of Van Buren. The paper suffered some loss of patronage on account of this policy, and soon afterward Mr. Smith sold his interest to Moses Summers, who had been foreman of the estab- lishment, and the firm became Agan & Summers. Eight years later Mr. Agan sold his interest to William Summers, brother of Moses, the firm style being Summers & Brother. The Democratic party had meanwhile become reunited, and the Standard continued as its local organ until 1856, when it refused to support Buchanan, accepted more liberal ideas, and hoisted the Fremont colors. In IS50 the Standard absorbed the Syracuse Reveille, started in 1848 by William L. Palmer and William Summers.
Going back to May, 1846, a daily issue was published, but suspended three months later. It was resumed in January, 1850, and continued as a five-column sheet for two years, when it was enlarged to a seven-column, in which form it was published until its change to a quarto, as hereafter noted.
With the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion Moses Summers joined the army. He had become an active Abolitionist, and was one of the prime movers in the famous " Jerry Rescue," which occurred on the 3d of October, 1851, as elsewhere described in these pages, and the Standard sup- ported the government through the Rebellion in the most unqualified man- ner. Mr. Summers returned in 1865, and continued at the head of the paper until May 9, 1866, when Charles E. Fitch, who had been connected with the Sunday Herald in this city, and was known as an educated and gifted writer, acquired an interest in the establishment. On July 23, of the same year, the firm of Summers & Company was formed, consisting of the Summers brothers, Charles E. Fitch, and Henry A. Barnum. Mr. Fitch, Moses Sum-
548
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
mers, and F. A. Marsh (the latter city editor) acted as editors of the paper, while William Summers acted as business manager. A more vigorous pol- icy was adopted, the paper was made a nine-column sheet, and it soon ad- vanced to a leading position among the newspapers of the State.
After the death of President Lincoln the Standard opposed the John- son administration and supported Horace Greeley in his campaign for the highest office in the country. With his defcat and the election of General Grant the Standard adopted an independent policy, but within a year fell again into the straight Republican ranks, where it has since continued, though in later years it has maintained a high standard of independence of utterance.
In September, 1873, Mr. Fitch sold his interest to his partners, and not long afterward resumed his gifted pen as editor of the Rochester Chronicle, where he has won honorable distinction. Mr. Summers again put on the full editorial harness, and in the same year T. D. Curtis, C. H. Lyman, and George W. Edwards acquired a portion of the property, Mr. Curtis and Mr. Edwards joining the editorial staff. A little later a controlling interest fell into the hands of Charles E. Hubbell, who engaged Chester A. Lord, of the New York Sun, to act as editor-in-chief. This connection lasted only six weeks, when Hugh McDowell (then in Europe), a graduate of Syracuse Uni- versity, became the principal owner, Mr. Summers remaining at the political helm. A few years later he permanently retired from the profession and was given the government post of Warden of the Port of New York, where he was killed by a fall on June 15, 1882.
In August, 1880, Mr. McDowell sold out to J. F. Durston and E. B. Al- vord, the stock company which had been the nominal owners of the estab- lishment turning over their entire rights to the new firm. Mr. Alvord soon afterward withdrew. Under the direct editorial management of Mr. Durs- ton the Standard maintained or excelled its former reputation, and its opin- ions were received with respect throughout the State.
On the 25th of December, 1883, the paper was changed to a quarto, in which form it has since appeared. In the winter of 1883 J. F. Durston took in as partners Howard G. White, George E. Dana, W. W. Cox, and Forbes Heermans, as Directors of the business affairs of the establishment. Soon afterward Mr. White bought out the entire interests of his partners, but Mr. Durston continued as editor until April, 1887, when the present man- aging editor. Charles R. Sherlock, was installed.
On the 11th of October, 1887, the office was removed to its new building in East Genesee street, where is now located a modern, first- class establish- ment, in commodious, convenient, and handsome quarters. A web press was introduced and all other appliances necessary to the production of the representative daily newspaper.
549
THE PRESS OF SYRACUSE.
Mr. Sherlock began his editorial career on the Syracuse Courier in Oc - tober, 1875, where he remained as a reporter five years. In September, ISSo, he accepted the city editorship of the Standard, and in 1882 assumed the same duties on the Albany Evening Journal. In May. 1884, he re- turned to Syracuse to edit the Sunday edition of the Standard, and was pro- moted to the position of managing editor under Howard G. White, in April, 1887. Though still a young man he fills his responsible station with ability and dignity.
The editorial staff of the Standard is as follows; Editor-in- chief, Howard G. White; Managing Editor, Charles R. Sherlock; Associate Editor, Rich - ard E. Day ; Exchange Editor, W. W. Alden ; Telegraph Editor, James E. Dever ; City Editor, Irvin K. Webb; Reporters, Fenner H. Webb, Dana, C. Carroll, M. C. Kingsley, and John R. Cooper.
The Syracuse Daily Courier was started October 1, 1856, during the Presidential campaign which resulted in the election of James Buchanan. Its founder was F. L. Hagadorn. Subsequently it passed into the hands of U. S. McCullom. In the campaign of 1860 the Courier supported Breck- enridge for President. The friends of Douglass, therefore, started another paper which they christened the Syracuse Union, with Daniel J. Halstead as proprietor. At the close of the campaign the two papers were united under the name of the Syracuse Daily Courier and Union, with Daniel J. Halstead as sole proprietor. The last name was dropped about 1872, and the Syra- cuse Daily Courier has been the name since. On the Ist of January, 1870, Mr. Halstead admitted into partnership with himself in the proprietorship of the Courier Messrs. Milton H. Northrup and S. Gurney Lapham, under the firm name of D. J. Halstead & Company, cach of the partners owning a third. William W. Green, who had been editor of the paper for ten or twelve years, retired from that position and was succeeded by Milton II. Northrup, who has since held the editorship; S. Gurney Lapham became at the same time associate editor, and holds the same position to day. In May, 1873, D. J. Halstead & Company were succeeded in the ownership by the Courier Printing Company, the bulk of the stock therein being held by the late proprietors. Judge Daniel Pratt was made President of the ne tv company, and S. G. Lapham, Secretary, with D. J. Halstead as business manager, and the editorial management remaining with M. H. Northrup. In 1879 Hon. William C. Ruger was made President of the company, and Mr Northrup, Secretary, Treasurer, and Manager. This organization has since remained unchanged.
The same company publishes the Syracuse Semi- Weekly Courier, the out- growth of the Onondaga Weekly Courier. In 1874 they started the Sunday Courier, which was almost the pioneer in Sunday journalism, in conjunc- tion with daily journals, in this State. The Sunday edition was discontinued in ISS.4.
550
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
The Syracuse Evening Herald was founded by Arthur Jenkins in Janu- ary, 1877, the first number making its appearance on the 15th of the monthi. It was a six-column sheet, set in large type, and the place of publication was in a job printing office over the store of J. & F. B. Garrett. The paper was started under the humblest auspices, the proprietor being practically without capital to invest in the enterprise. The original list of employees consisted of five journeymen printers, one apprentice, and one editor, beside Mr. Jenkins himself, who filled the positions of business manager, reporter, and foreman of the composing room. Work on the first issue began as early as 5:30 o'clock in the morning, and it was nearly 7 in the evening be- fore the forms could be sent to the press, poor material and the lack of ex - perience in "making up" being the largest factors in the delay. On the thirtieth day of its publication the paper reached a circulation of 3,000 copies An amusing incident in the Herald's early history was in connec- tion with the hanging of Edward Thomas, the colored murderer, in the State Prison at Auburn. On the day of the execution a picture of the unfortu- nate man was published with the story of his crime and death at the hands of the law. The "cut" was a stroke of enterprise to which the people here were altogether unaccustomed. It struck the popular craving with regard to such matters, and the papers sold so fast in the street that, before the fact was realized, the entire edition had been exhausted and there were no copies left for the regular subscribers.
The obstacles encountered by Mr. Jenkins in his effort to establish the Herald on a firmer basis were of the most trying description. The meager capital with which he had set the enterprise on foot soon gave out, but the employees, who shared his own confidence of ultimate success, came bravely and generously to his assistance and agreed to take part payment for their services each week and wait for the rest. Gradually the prospects of the little paper grew brighter, until at last a condition of things was reached! under which it became possible to pay the hands off regularly every Satur- day night. Up to this time the proprietor owned neither type nor press, all the work being done in the office of a job printer. Differences arising under this arrangement it became necessary that the paper should have a complete outfit of its own. The type was furnished by J. & F. B. Garrett, and soon afterward a single-cylinder Hoe press, with engine and boiler, was bought of Wells Brothers. The task of paying for these improvements brought new trials, and at times the future looked dark indeed. At the right moment, however, a few citizens, of whom the Herald had made friends by its conduct up to that time, came forward with temporary loans, and one gentleman, whose business foresight was equal to the discernment of a career for the struggling sheet, lent liberally of his means to transfer the in stitution from individual to corporate control. A stock company was formed,
55[
THE PRESS OF SYRACUSE.
a double-cylinder press was bought, and in August, 1878, the Herald's goods and chattels were moved to the building No. 41 West Water street, the size of the sheet being at the same time increased to seven columns. Then the circulation grew by healthy stages to 6,000 and more. The facilities in use were unequal to the demands made on them, and on the : 5th of January, 1880, the only four-cylinder press between Albany and Rochester at that time rolled off its first batch of sheets in the Herald office. On the 16th of May following the Sunday edition began its career. The first issue was simply an eight column folio paper. The experience of a single day was sufficient to demonstrate that the Sunday edition was not large enough, and a supplement was accordingly issued from that time until 1882, when the paper was enlarged into an eight-page sheet. The Herald again outgrew its facilities of publication, and a change of location to more commodious quarters also became imperatively necessary. On the first of May, 1883, the office was accordingly moved to the Crouse Building, in Warren street, where it still remains, and the first stereotyped edition of the Herald was printed on that day from a Scott web perfecting press that had been bought in June of the preceding year.
Upon the organization of the Herald Company in June, 1878, Mr. Jenkins was elected President, and he has filled the position ever since. Francis E. Leupp secured an interest in the company soon after its formation, and tie was its first Vice-President, his election being simultaneous with the creation of the office on June 24, 1885. Mr. Leupp from his first connec- tion with the Herald was its managing editor until the opening of the I'resi. dential campaign of 1884, when, in order to devote himself exclusively to editorial work, he yielded that desk to Benjamin E. Wells, who has contin- ned in the position up to the present time. Mr. Leupp's connection with the Herald ceased in the spring of 1885, James E. Baily securing his in - terest in the company and succeeding him in the Vice- Presidency.
In the summer of 1882 the Herald became a charter member of the United Press Association.
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