Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. II, Part 81

Author: Carroll, Charles, author
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: New York : Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 716

USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. II > Part 81

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FRESH VENTURES-If Providence were limited in the years following 1833 practically to two newspapers, it was not for failure of others to test fortune by adventure. Daily news- papers having short life included the "Commercial Advertiser," the "Evening Star," the "Daily News," in 1834; the "Evening Chronicle," besides the Dorrite "Daily Express," in 1842; the "Daily Sentinel," 1846; the "Daily Star" and the "Morning Mirror," 1849. None was successful enough to warrant continuance. Other papers that had also passed since 1833 were the "Voice of the People," 1834; the "New England Family Visitor and Literary Journal," 1834, a weekly edition of the "Commercial Advertiser"; the "Penny Post," 1835, which within the year became the "Weekly Visitor," and thereafter in the same year was dis- continued ; the "Morning Courier," 1836, which was absorbed by the "Journal" in 1840; the "Gaspee Torchlight," issued by the "Journal," and the "Extinguisher," printed by the "Her- ald," both as campaign papers during the presidential contest of 1840; the "Narragansett Chief," 1842, a weekly issued by the "Evening Chronicle"; the "Independent," 1844; the "Tribune of the People," 1846. More successful was the "Daily Transcript and Chronicle," 1844; which became the "Daily Evening Transcript" in 1847, and was continued until 1855. The founder was Israel Amsbury; A. Crawford Green was editor from 1847 to 1855. The

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"Providence General Advertiser and Weekly Gazette," 1847, was not a newspaper so much as an advertising medium. It was distributed gratis, and lasted until 1886. Besides newspapers, periodicals and magazines in large number were published in Providence, the "Providence Visitor," the Catholic weekly, and the "Brunonian," published by Brown University students, being alone as survivors of those issued before 1875. The long list of seventy included literary, juvenile, religious, women's, temperance, scientific, political, high school student, fraternal, anti-slavery and educational periodicals. Most were short-lived, the exceptions being the "Hopkinsian Magazine," 1824-1840: "Rhode Island Schoolmaster," monthly, 1856-1875, consolidated with "New England Journal of Education"; "Voice of Truth," monthly, 1864- 1873.

Consolidations and discontinuances of newspapers had left the "Journal," daily, semi- weekly and weekly, and the "Herald," semi-weekly, as rivals in Providence in 1833. Except by short-lived newspapers there was no invasion of the field until the "Daily Transcript and Chronicle" appeared in 1844 to continue eleven years, and at the same time the "Daily Gazette," which lasted only two years. Next came the "Post" in 1850, which absorbed the "Herald" in 1853. Providence then had three newspapers-the "Journal," "Post" and "Tran- script." In the same year A. Crawford Greene, who had been editor of the "Transcript," started the "Providence Daily Tribune," which continued six years. The "Tribune" became an advocate of prohibition, and the organ of the Know Nothing party. It said, editorially, on January I, 1856: "Still do we believe intemperance a great social and moral evil, to be up- rooted by the combined power of moral suasion and legal prohibition. And still we can see no reason why we should lay aside our armor and remit our opposition to popery, that other curse, though assuming the hallowed name of religion; and against it, therefore, shall we war with all the weapons committed to us, to battle its errors and resist its encroachments." The "Transcript" was discontinued in 1855, leaving the "Journal," "Post" and "Tribune" until 1859. The "Providence Plain Dealer" and the "American Citizen," 1855, and the "Evening Telegraph," 1858, died each almost in the borning. George W. Danielson, who had come to Rhode Island to work as a journeyman printer in 1844-1855, went to New York, and returned in 1846 to publish the "Daily Sentinel." He was for a time editor of the "Daily Transcript," but in 1848 became editor of the "New England Arena" at West Killingly, Connecticut. Back in Providence in 1851, he was marine editor and a compositor on the "Daily Post." With Albert R. Cooke as partner, Danielson established the "Evening Press" March 14, 1859, continuing with the "Press" until October, 1862. In January, 1863, he became business man- ager and managing editor of the "Journal," and on January 26, 1863, began publishing the "Evening Bulletin" as an afternoon newspaper from the "Journal" office. The "Press" con- tinued after the withdrawal of Danielson. From its office were issued the "Rhode Island Press," weekly, 1861 to 1886, and the "Morning Star," 1869 to 1887. The "Press" itself was discontinued September 30, 1884. The Providence daily newspapers were "Journal," "Post" and "Press," 1859-1863 ; "Journal" and "Bulletin," "Post," and "Press," 1863-1867; "Journal" and "Bulletin," "Herald," and "Press," 1867-1869; "Journal" and "Bulletin," "Herald," "Press" and "Star," 1869-1873. The "Herald" suspended in 1873, leaving two estab- lishments, one issuing the "Journal" and "Bulletin," the other the "Star" and "Press." The "Journal" and "Star" were rival morning papers until 1887; the "Press" and "Bulletin," rival evening papers until 1884. The "Evening Telegram" was first published in 1879, and continued as a competitor of both "Press" and "Bulletin."

THE JOURNAL AS A PARTY ORGAN-The "Manufacturers and Farmers Journal" had been established during the "Era of good feeling," or "Era of good feelings," as it was called by some. The reconciliation of the "Journal's" proclamation of neutrality in "the party or

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local politics of the day" with the reelection of President Monroe in 1820-1821 without oppo- sition is not difficult. With advocacy of "the American policy" of promoting manufacturing as its major purpose, it was entirely consistent for the "Journal" to avoid the distraction of quarrels of men, rather than parties, into which the presidential campaign of 1824 descended, with five candidates, all "Republicans," contesting the election. In state politics, after the hectic campaign of 1818, there was little opposition to the succession of Governors -- Knight, 1818-1821 ; Gibbs, 1821-1824; Fenner, 1824-1831. With the publication of the "Daily Journal" in 1829, announcement was made by the editor: "It will be his industrious care to render his paper as interesting and useful as practicable; and while he consults the feelings of the manufacturing and commercial part of the community, he will not be unmindful of general readers who seek for literary and political intelligence. It is his wish to make his paper a general vehicle of correct information in all interesting and important topics. As heretofore, he will strenuously support the great interests of the nation, agriculture, commerce and manu- factures, believing then united by the strongest ligaments, and that whatever injures one of them would be prejudicial and ruinous to them all." Earlier in the year, discussing criticism that the "Journal" had "at different times" incurred the "dissatisfaction of a few of the mem- bers of both parties," the editor said: "There is nothing in the disputes of party politicians which is worthy of the serious regard of a great people. .... It is time for the people to set themselves earnestly about their own affairs; that they should discharge all meddlesome and busy mischief-makers from office; fill the public offices with the best men among them, and turn their attention with harmony and mutual good will to the promotion of the public interests. Their interests are the protection of home industry and the economical application of all our internal means; the creation of new sources of public management by the public money, and the consolidation of our military defenses. These objects are truly worthy of their attention, for they are truly national. If pursued with candor and good temper and hon- esty, they need not awaken any of those petty disputes and rivalships by which we have been so much disgraced." The editorial referred, without doubt, to the four years of unpleasantness or "bad feeling" which had followed the presidential campaign of 1824. The editor continued : "For the promotion of national sentiments like the above was this 'Journal' established: It recognizes neither parties nor men to the exclusion of principles. It combats errors wherever they may enter into general politics; and as the cause for which it contends is, essentially, that of the community, it asks no other patronage than that of the public."

No newspaper could avoid discussing the five failures to elect a Governor of Rhode Island in 1832, however; and the radical economic policies of President Jackson scarcely could commend him to a newspaper advocating "the American policy." It was to be expected that the "Journal," because of its outlook on economic issues, would ally itself with the new party of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. The "Journal" became definitely Whig in both national and state politics, abandoning neutrality. In 1836 it carried the name of Daniel Webster as its candidate for nomination and election as President in a conspicuous place until it was cer- tain that Webster could not be elected. It was definitely a partisan political newspaper before Henry B. Anthony became editor. With Henry B. Anthony as editor the "Journal" became not merely the party organ of the Whig party first and the Republican party later, but even the oracle which formulated the policies of the party-the Rhode Island Bible. Anthony gathered around himself, the "Journal's" own account says: "the choice spirits of the day in business, politics and society ; for here, they had learned, was the opportunity for exerting an influence in the policies controlling the State. Not only was the editor an individual of flesh and blood, but his seat of power was a place which attracted the leaders in thought whose ideas seemed to be amalgamated, for each visitor at the 'Round Table' might see enough of his own ideas put into practice to forget the ones that had been discarded, because the inter-

JAMES FENNER.

- 1881.

JAMES FENNER (1771-1846) Three Times Governor of Rhode Island

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change had offered better ones. There were no Sunday papers then, and the suspension of the edition one day in seven gave opportunity for gathering free from interruption. So Sunday came to be the day for the assemblies in the sanctum, and these soon became known as the 'Journal' 'Sunday School.' The modern political 'boss' had not been developed, and the leader- ship in politics was scarcely entrusted to one man; hence the arrangements made in the Anthony editorial room were more the combined judgment of the men who gathered there. The influence of the visitors to the office may have imperceptibly decreased, and the influence of the host increased until he was recognized as a leader, but the representative nature of the gatherings was not lost in Mr. Anthony's time."

The members of the Sunday school included, at different times, of course, William P. Blodgett, James M. Clark, Charles Hart, Nathan F. Dixon, Stephen Harris, George Rivers, Chief Justice Samuel Ames, Judges Walter S. Burges, Sylvester Sherman, Elisha R. Potter, John P. Knowles, Thomas Durfee, and George A. Brayton, Governors Henry Howard, Ambrose E. Burnside, W. W. Hoppin, William Sprague (occasionally in the early days) and Henry Lippitt, Lieutenant Governor Samuel G. Arnold, James F. Simmons, Mayors Amos C. Barstow and Thomas A. Doyle, Thomas A. Jenckes, Doctors J. J. DeWolf and A. H. Okie, Ward Cowing, Charles Sabin, Wingate Hayes, Ephraim Jackson, Henry W. Gardner, Darius Sessions, Albert C. Greene, James P. Dunwell, Robert Sherman, Dr. Samuel Boyd Tobey, John Oldfield, Christopher Robinson, Charles H. Parkhurst, Wilkins, and Charles and Walter Updike, William H. Potter, Jonah Titus, James M. Ripley, B. F. Thurston, Thomas Nixon, Samuel Noyes, Henry L. Fairbrother, Edwin C. Mauran, Rufus Waterman, William R. Watson, Thomas Jackson, Samuel B. Wheaton, George F. Wilson, Thomas P. I. Goddard, Dr. Isaac Hartshorn, James H. Coggeshall, Augustus Hoppin, Allen O. Peck, and William B. Greene. "On the death of Senator Anthony, the 'Sunday School' sessions lost their interest

to many and the attendance eventually decreased. . . . . Finally the members of the historic institution straggled down to the office one morning to find the editorial room locked. .. . So the 'Journal' 'Sunday School' passed into history." Gathering, as it did, many of the most influential men in Rhode Island, some of them Democrats, for they, too, were welcomed to the round table, the Sunday school for nearly half a century was a dominating factor in determining state policies, and the "Providence Journal" was its mouthpiece.

Henry B. Anthony served two years as Governor, 1849-1851, declining renomination, perhaps wisely, because of the ascendancy to which Philip Allen led the Democrats for three years thereafter. Henry B. Anthony was elected as United States Senator in 1858, 1864, 1870, 1876, and 1882, serving continuously from March 4, 1859, until his death September 2, 1884. James S. Ham and James B. Angell, who afterward was President of the University of Michigan, served the "Journal" as editors, relieving Senator Anthony. Mr. Angell was editor from 1860 to 1866. George W. Danielson purchased an interest in the "Journal," and on January 1, 1863, took "especial charge of the important department of local intelligence." With the departure of Mr. Angell in 1866 to become President of the University of Vermont, Danielson remained in full charge of the "Journal" and "Bulletin," which he had established in 1863, "aided at first by the counsel, and sustained always by the hearty friendship and encouragement of Mr. Anthony." For twenty-one years Danielson gave unstintedly of indefatigable service to the publication of "Journal" and "Bulletin." Danielson's administration extended to every department, for he was first of all a practical printer.

The "Journal" removed in 1871 to the Barton block, 2 Weybosset Street, and installed there a four-cylinder press with a capacity of 10,000 impressions an hour. Four years later a six-cylinder press, capable of printing 12,000 papers an hour, was installed. A Hoe web perfecting press with stereotyping apparatus was introduced in 1881, and a second press in 1882. The page size of the paper was changed in 1881, and from four pages and forty

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columns the paper went to eight pages and sixty-four columns. All of these changes were intended to provide accommodations for the steady growth of the "Journal" and "Bulletin" under Danielson's management. The newspaper became a genuine agency of collecting news, and the "Journal" editorials maintained their appeal to the people. Danielson became Senator Anthony's successor in the Sunday school, his state representative in politics, and more cer- tainly the controlling influence in the Republican party of which the "Journal" and "Bulletin" were still the oracle. Both George W. Danielson and Senator Anthony died in 1884, the former in March, the latter in September. To the funeral of Mr. Danielson the General Assembly sent a delegation, an unusual procedure in the instance of one who never had held public office. Among the tributes to Mr. Danielson was one pronounced by Bishop Hen- dricken : "I cannot leave the altar without expressing regret for the death of Mr. George W. Danielson. I utter these words of regret, not only for myself, but I speak for the 50,000 Catholics in the city, and for the 150,000 Catholics in the diocese. . . . Though never per- sonally acquainted with Mr. Danielson, I have received many favors from him for myself and for the church. . . . He was an exceptionally able man-a very able man. He was most gentlemanly in the use of his pen, from which no vulgar expression has ever been seen. He was above everything mean, just, as far as he could see, as far as he could be. As a man, I hold a deep respect and regard for him, and in his death the 'Journal,' the city, and even the state, sustain a great loss."

TELEGRAM AND RECORD-The suspension of the "Herald" in 1873 left four daily news- papers in Providence-the "Journal" and "Bulletin," the "Star" and "Press." The "Sun," weekly, appeared in December, 1875, as a Democratic newspaper. Interest in the Hayes- Tilden election and the hope for Democratic success produced the "Daily Sun" November 20, 1876, which set, for the last time when the Electoral Commission reported. An evening edition of the "Sunday Telegram" was issued in 1879. The paper, first published by Charles C. Corbett, passed into the ownership of David O. Black. Early in 1889 the "Telegram," which had become an influential newspaper under Black's efficient management, reversed its theretofore friendly attitude toward organized labor, and refused to meet the scale of wages adopted by the Typographical Union. A strike followed, and the Typographical Union issued the "Evening Call," to give employment to the strikers and to compete with the "Telegram." The latter was sold in September, 1889, to the Telegram Publishing Company, of which Joseph Banigan was one of the largest stockholders, and David F. Lingane became editor. The reorganized "Telegram" was a Democratic newspaper. It refused, however, in 1891 to sup- port the Democratic candidate for Mayor of Providence, and the "Evening Record" was established some time in 1891 as a protest, continuing until August 4, 1892.

The "Record" was issued first from 54 North Main Street, and removed to the loft of a low brick building at the corner of Exchange Street and Exchange Place, on the present site of the old Industrial Trust building. Demolition of the building caused another removal, but the "Record" was the last tenant to depart, remaining until roof, sides and front of the building had been torn down and the wreckers threatened removal of the stairway. The "Record" was awarded a contract for part of the printing of the city of Providence, but the money earned on the contract was attached. From its third habitation, on Friendship Street, the "Record" was constrained to remove when two brawny men with monkey wrenches dis- mantled and carried off the press. A printer with a press was found, and the "Record," after forms had been carried for several days, removed to his shop on Eddy Street. One of those who knew told the final chapter thus: "Everything in connection with the 'Record's' publi- cation was now being done on a cash basis. The man who furnished the paper had to have his money before he left his bundle ; the expressman with the 'plate matter' presented a c. o. d .;

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and even the printer, with whom the publishers had practically cast their lot, demanded his hire before beginning to print. Notwithstanding these and many other drawbacks, the 'Record' lived on and would have undoubtedly lingered longer but for this exacting printer meeting with the same hard luck as the 'Record' in having his press taken away one day by two brawny, but different men. That event and the demise of the 'Record' occurred the same day, no effort being made to find another home."

The "Telegram" survived. It occupied the Barton block, in 1892, which had been previ- ously the home of the "Journal," and in 1899 removed to the Francis building on Westminster Street. One of the dramatic episodes in the history of Rhode Island journalism is related to the "Telegram" and its editor, David F. Lingane. The "Telegram" had persistently attacked through its columns a certain Osceola Cook, until the latter threatened to horsewhip Lingane on sight. Cook was a much larger man physically than Lingane, and when the twain met on Weybosset Street in Providence, as Lingane alleged because of Cook's threatening attitude, Lingane shot Cook. Lingane was indicted, and was tried three times by a persistent Attorney General, the jury failing to convict in each instance. The "Telegram" was sold in 1906 to a group of men from the "Journal," who changed the name to "Tribune" and its politics to Republican.

Other daily newspapers, none of them successful, were established in Providence as follows : "Evening Chronicle," 1874; "Providence Evening Times," 1877; the "Mail," 1884; "Evening News," 1884-1885, issued from the "Press" and "Star" office after discontinuance of the "Press"; "Evening Star," 1886; "Evening Dispatch," 1886; "Daily Republican," 1887; "Daily Dispatch," 1887.

GROWTH OF NEWSPAPERS-The history of daily newspapers in Providence after the deaths of George W. Danielson and Henry B. Anthony in 1884 is related to politics, to new methods of collecting news, to an amazing change in mechanical equipment, and to the growth of advertising of retail stores. The "Journal" had been owned and conducted by a partnership, the style of which was Knowles & Anthony after 1848, and Knowles, Anthony & Danielson after 1863. Joseph Knowles had died in 1874, his share in the business being acquired by the other partners after the death of his widow. In May, 1884, following the death of Danielson, the business was incorporated as the Providence Printing Company. The charter was amended in 1885, the name being changed to Providence Journal Company. The Journal Company reorganized with William A. Hoppin as president and Richard S. Howland as treas- urer and manager. Alfred M. Williams, who had entered the service of the "Journal" as a reporter in 1875, had become associate editor January 1, 1883. He was editor from 1884 until he resigned in 1891. The definite association of the "Journal" with the Republican party as official organ ceased with the death of Senator Anthony. The "Journal" opposed the nomina- tion of James G. Blaine for the presidency in 1884, but after Blaine's nomination supported him in preference to Grover Cleveland. In state politics the "Journal" assumed an attitude of independence. It supported John W. Davis, the Democratic candidate for Governor, against George Peabody Wetmore, Republican, and was formally read out of the Republican party, assembled in convention on May 3, 1888. Resolutions adopted included : "We deem it expe- dient at this time to put on record the fact that the newspapers published by the Providence Journal Company, have long ceased to represent the Republican party in this State." The resolutions continued with a denunciation of the "Journal's" policy. The "Journal's" answer included this significant declaration of the "Journal's" future policy : "Nevertheless, despised and cut off from party fellowship as it is, there are certain rights guaranteed by the Consti- tution of the United States among which is the privilege which the 'Journal' will claim of supporting Republican candidates when it believes them entitled to the suffrage of honest and

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intelligent citizens, and advocating Republican principles when it believes them calculated to subserve the interests of the country, incidentally telling the truth as it sees it at all times and courting the good will of no party or individual to whom the truth is offensive or honest criticism objectionable." The "Journal" had not returned to its original policy of neutrality in "the party or local politics of the day," although the names of men prominent in the affairs of the corporation indicated a renewed association with the larger manufacturing interests, thus : Lucian Sharpe, Henry D. Sharpe, Jesse Metcalf, Stephen O. Metcalf, Jesse H. Metcalf and others. As a matter of fact, the "Journal," as an independent paper, had become one of the most significant influences in state and municipal politics, as the weight of its support was thrown to party or candidate which met its approval.

The Republican party was left without a party organ. The "Morning Star" had been dis- continued in 1887; the "Telegram" was soon to become Democratic. The state elections were closely contested. The Democrats had elected their candidate for Governor in 1887; the Re- publicans theirs in 1888. Followed three elections in which, although the Democratic candidate polled a plurality of votes, there was no popular election, and the Republican candidate twice, and the Democratic candidate once, were chosen by the General Assembly. Next, after a year in which D. Russell Brown's majority was less than 250 in a total of nearly 55,000 votes, the disagreement of the houses of the General Assembly in 1893 led to the holding over of Governor Brown because the popular vote was not counted and the General Assembly chose no successor. The Republican party needed a newspaper organ. The "Providence News" was established in September, 1891, by John L. Heaton and wife, and was endorsed March 15, 1892, as the "official organ of the Republican party of Rhode Island." Governor D. Russell Brown obtained control of the "News" in 1892. The popularity of the "News" was diminished by a lockout of union employes in 1892, and the quarrel with the Typographical Union continued for four years. The "News" on July 15, 1897, announced that it had become a "newspaper, not a party organ." It was then under new management, which continued until September 22, 1897, when J. W. Watson became publisher, and three newspaper men from the "Journal" undertook to make the "News" a successful newspaper. They were Martin C. Day, George F. Mackinnon and Charles H. Howland. The enterprise failed, and the plant returned to control of D. Russell Brown. Of the three "Journal" men, Mackinnon subsequently became assistant clerk of the Sixth District Court, and Day and Howland returned to the "Journal" after Exodus in 1906. The "News" was sold in 1906 to Messrs. Trumpler and Dillenback to become the "News-Dem- ocrat," a Democratic newspaper.

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Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. II, Part 81

Author: Carroll, Charles, author Publication date: 1932 Publisher: New York : Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Carroll, Charles, author
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: New York : Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 716