ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 63, 14 September 1901, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

PRESIDENT McKINLEY, in his e\penence of last week, has proved that there is one thing more exciting than an election campaign — and that is a shooting expedition. The cable message showed that he was, as cool under fire in. his old age as he was in his youth — for, during the war i» which so many Americans took part, ho enlisted as a private in his eighteenth year, became a sergeant the following year, five months later was a lieutenant, getting lus first star for service on the battlefield, and within eighteen montht, was- promoted to a captaincy for gallantry at the Battle of Kernstown. Early in the following year (1865) he received his majonty from President Lincoln for gallant and meritorious seivicc- in action. * • • As Major McKinley he was mustered out of the army with his company, and it is recorded of him as a soldier that he was never absent from parade, through sickness or any other cause, during his four yeais' service. A remarkable incident during his soldiering days was that whilst on the maich (on 11th October, 1864) he cast lus first presidential vote, and it was for "Abe" Lincoln, who was assassinated He studied for the. law after the war, and also became a political enthusiast at an early age He became a member of the House of Representatives in his thirty-third year, and was te-elected in 1878 and 1880, in the latter yeai succeeding Presidentelect Garfield (also assassinated) on the Committee of Ways and Means In 1882 lie went back to Congress with a majority of eieht, in 1884 Ins majority \\a-> 2000. in 1880 it was 2">o, and in 1888 (his seventh leturn) 4100 * * * He became leader of his party in the House in 1890 when lie hi ought down Ins famous McKmlev Taufl Bill. In 1891. he was elected Govornoi of Ohio, by the largest maioiity then lecorded in aland of big thing 1 -, and in 1892 was leelected with a still gi eater majontv In 1896, he had his fust big fight for the Presidency with Biyan- the two Napoleons they weie tailed, owing to their strong facial lcsemblance to that ee'ebrity — an d last year he again met and defeated W J B » * * Tweuty-fne difleient men ha\e filled tho office of Piesident of the United States (America, 1 " Of these, only eight wore le-clccted fot a second teini, and Washington, Lincoln, Grant a.nd McKinlev are in that eight It is a strange fact in his hfo that he was the friend of the only other two Piesidents ■who were attacked by assa-ssins, McKinley and Garfield having been as intimate as brothers. President McKinley's administration ha,s been exceptionally free fiom pait> bias, and almost fiee from bittei paitisan assault - two things winch ha\e hitheito been paituulaih conspicuous in American polities. * * • Had Mr. McKinley passed a\\a\, his place in White House would haw- been taken for the leinamdei of the term (some two veais and a, quaitei) bv the \ ue-Piesident Mr Theodoie Koosewlt, just as Vice-President Aitliui succeeded Piesident Garfield Mi Roosevelt won gieat populaut\, and his vice-president nomination, thiough the actne and prominent part he too 1 " in (lie Cuban War He raised Roosevelt's Rouglnuleis foi that campaign

and had command of this company of Western Cowboys. After the war lie became Governor of New York State, and fought l strenuously" (to use the word winch he brought into national use*) against Tammany influences. He is a talented writei, and was a. journalist before going into public lite. • • • Some weeks ago adveitisements appeared in the Wellington papers intimating that the year-old Timaru "Post" wanted an editor. News is now to hand that Mr Cha.s Newnham, of Chnstchurch, has secured the chair. Mr Nenwham was not unknown to the "Post's" directors, for he had previously "subbed" the paper for some months, during Mr. Connells editorship. The new editor of the "Post" was for many yeais on the literary staff of the Canteiburv "Times," "subbing" and reading Then, he, far a short time was leader of the Lyttelton "Times," but not caring for night work, he fled the smell of printer's ink, and became a farmer down Pareoia way, a few miles south of Timaru. • » * Farming did not prove satisfactory, so he went back to the punting house again, joining the Timaru "Post" as icporter and sub-editor. Later on, when the Connell complications arose, Mr. Newnham practically edited the paper. He weaned of too much doing, however, and returned to Chnstchurch, wheie he became reader on the "Weekly Press,." He was engaged as a coi rector of the "Press" when he received the editorial appointment. • * # The Timaru Post" has had a lively time in its infancy Started a& a Government organ, to counteiact the conMMvatism and opposition. of tho "Herald" and "South Canterbury Times," the Minister for Public Works is credited with being one of the principal stockholders But, for the matter of that, it is also said that the Premier and other members of the Ministry have a finger in the "Post" pie It was started as a morning paper, the hist editor being Mr. Connell, who is not unknown in Wellington and Nelson • • • After a time, young Campbell, who had repiesented the 'Lyttelton Times" \\Ltli the Third Contingent in. South Africa, was chosen as editor in Mi Connell'.s place, and Mr. Buckley Jcnce (well known in Wellington as a hnot\.pe opeiatoi) was appointed sub-editoi and for <i time, acting-manager Now, further change^ ha\e taken place toi both an editoi and a man age 1 were advertised for.. • ♦ * By the w<n, Mr. E. G Kerr, thepiopnetor of the "Timaiu HciaJd " is one of the newspaper magnates of the colony who has made much fiom small beginnings. Less than twenty veais ago he became propnetor of the "South Canteibury Times," which was then an evening paper in a small way of business struggling against the 'Herald," w Inch was flourishing under the brilliant editorial pen of Edward Wakeheld MH R. E\ ll days fell upon the ' Herald" in the eighties, it passing successively through the hands of Mr Belheld (who lost a competence in its management), through a limited liability company, into the lesseeslup of Mr Joe Tvoss (then MHR for Ashburton), and finally it was purchased outright by Mr Keir whoso evening papei had flouiished during tho troublous msiis ni tho 'Heiald." • * * Mr Kerr ran the two papers out of the one office and duimg the past decade has had a ventable gold-mine Not only has he successfully urn the Timaiu papers, but he became so laige a holder of stock in the Lvttolton Times" Company that, on the death of the Hon Wm Reeves M L C , he succeeded to the m ,in aging duectoiship of th.it important C mist< him h business ( ons<.'<|uent l\ most of his time ha.s been

spent in managing the ' Times" business, whilst the Timaru business has been managed by his son. Mi. Ken used to have political aspirations, and, on some tw o or three occasions, he opposed Mr. Hall-Jones for the Timaru seat, but, even with two newspapers at his back, he failed each time. He is now in the peculiar position of owning two papers which have all along bitterly opposed the policy of the Seddon Government, and yet is controlling the policy of the "Lyttelton Times," which is Premier Seddon's staunchest supporter ! And success attends him. * * * Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny C.8., who has just succeeded Sir Evelyn Wood (promoted) as Adjutant-General of the British Forces, played a prominent part in the Transvaal war, first as. a majorgeneral, and then as a Lieutenant-Gene-lal. He was highly commended by Lord Roberts in the historic despatch of April last, on his relinquishing command. In that despatch "Bobs" said of Sir Thomas — "He has invariably shown sound common sense and military instinct of a high order through many trying and anxious hours. lam much indebted to him for the good service he has performed." General KellyKenny wa& for some time General Officer Commanding the Orange River Colony. * • » There was one feature about the typographical dispute, heard before the Wellington Conciliation Board last week, which laised the case out of the ordinary. This featuie was that the case for the employing printers was conducted by employees ! Both Mr. Tom Jones and Mr. Nesbit Mcßobie are fOl omen printers, and Mr. Robert Wright, though he is now running a .small business with Mr. Walter Carman, was but a short time ago a foreman printer in the employ of the New Zealand Times Company. And this was the trio who fought the fight for the employers. Mr. Jones has been in Messrs. Blundell Brothers' jobbing room from his youth up, and is known as one of the foremost of the colony's practical punters. And for many years he has been an honorary member of the Union which last week he opposed. * * * But, although the typos, were astonished to find an opponent in Mr. Jones before the Board, it wat> the appearance of Mr. Mcßobie which must ha\e given them the greatest shock For it is but a few years ago — some three or four— since he was president of the Canterbuiy Typographical Society, what time he was in the jobbing room of the Chnstchurch "Press" office. Mr. Mcßobie is credited with having practically transformed the jobbing department of the "Times" Company since he came to Wellington. He is a good printer, a man of taste, an excellent manager, and a fair overseer. * • • i It appeals that Mr. Alex. Feiguson wa<s to have conducted the ca&e for the master printers, but influenza stepped in. As it was, Mr. Wright made the principal speeches This he was well equipped to do, for he has, been a preacher for the Church of Christ sect for some years, and 'tis said he preacher a fair sermon. At any rate, they say so at Petone, whore his voice has been most frequently heard. He was so much thought of at Petone that he was named a.s one of the most hkdv of the candidatos for the suburban seat in theHouse a few years ago. "Bob" Wright, as he was familiarly called, was a great politician in those days, and an enthusiastic Seddonian. * * * Theio was one little incident in conniption with the typographical dispute l.i M. week which seemed to c-t-ape outside attention The case piomised to ( loso down in record time, so concihator\ and businoss-hke had been Messis. Wught, Jones, and Mcßobie on the mu> side, and Messrs. Skinner, Black,

and Henrichs on the other. Just as all that could be said was thought to have been, said, in carao Mr. E. J. D. Johnson. He desired to re-open the case in order to propound his idea about starting the trade out on a new basis — the grading of printers into three certificated classes. ♦ • • Some amusement was caused by Mr. Johnson's desire to put Mr. D. P. Fisher in the box and subject that conciliator to an examination upon his knowledge of the trade to which all the Fisher family — George, William, and David — were brought up. But David Fisher was not having any examination, so Mr. Johnson had to be content with Mr. George Skinner as a witness. Mr. Johnson, who is brother to "Alfred" of that ilk, was at one time (in the longago) employed in the Government Printing Office. For many years' he managed the jobbing department of the 'New Zealand Times" office, what time Mr. Chantry Harris was the holder of the morning paper pioperty. Of late years Mr. Johnson has been in business for himself, and has been getting along very successfully. • * • A propos to the place in the pubiio eye occupied by compositors ana tne pi in ting trade last weeK, it is interesting to note the positions won in the coiomes by Jvnights of the istick and Ituie. yuite a number ot the wealthiest or our newspaper proprietors graduated from ca&e, ' including Messrs. .blundeii Broiliers (,oi the Post"), Mr. Henry ±Biett (of the Auckland Star"), and Messrs. Fenwick .brothers (Ueorge and William, ot the 'Otago Daiiy Times"). In our .Legislative Council, Messrs. George Jones (Oamaru), W. Jennings (Auckland), and J. Rigg ( V\ eilnigton) weie all printers, anti Geoige Fisher, the junior member tor W elkngton, was a whip" m his typesetting days. It is not generally known that Mr. J. F. Archibald, senior partner and editor of Sydney "Bulletin," was, a compositor before taking to journalism, and other prominent Austlaiians who were typos, are the Hon. E. W. O'Suilivan (Minister for Public Woiks, N.S.W.), Mr. Batchelor (a Federal M.P., ex-Minister for Education, South Austidha), Senator Higgs (.Quconsland), J. C. Watson (M.P. tor Blajid (N.S.W.), and Ted Findley (ot Tocsin lame, ex-M.L.A. tor Melbourne). * * * Theie has been a. romance of some kind in the life ot many of Britain's gieat soldiers, and GeneiaJ Sir T. Kelly-Kenny, just appointed AdjutantGeneral of the British Army, has his. It is a somewhat peculiar one, too. When he joined the Aimy as ensign, in 1858, lie, like many another subaltern, was by no means over-endowed with this world's goods. One autumn he was at Brighton, and, when walking on the front he saw an eldeily gentleman in a bath chair, who appeared to be suffering from some sudden seizure. Tho young officer ran to lv& assistance, and, in tho oidinarj couisc of events, an intimacy sprang up between the two. The old gentleman ultimately died, and left ah 1 his foitune — a very considerable one — to the man who has now succeeded Geneial Sir Evelyn Wood as AdjutantGeneral. Max O'Roll, tho famous Frenchman, who must have his little joke about c\cryonc, has not always boon the adored ot the people. Beroie Max bocame O'Rell, he waj» simply Gunner Paul Blouet, of a French battoiv. The officers and non-coms, of his bdttoiy ueie so incensed at Ins stupidity to drill that they ruefully told the commanding officer they could do nothing with hi m. Paul was duly paraded at the oideily-ioom, and, .is he was too stupid to make a, soldiei , lie was gazetted battery schoolmaster ' Tlioie, too, he ignonnniously fai'ed although piovious to Ins consciiption he had been a, very able tutor. What wat. to be done?

As lie was a great favourite in his battery, Paul was not punished, and a few officers got together to discuss the gunner 'Tell you what," said the Colonel, he is too stupid to make a soldiei of lie is no good as a schoolmaster, he would make a good officer l " The recommendation was made Next day he became a 'sous officer," and, within the week, lieutenant. Paul was no longer stupid and his service as an officer was maiked with many brilliant acts. He contributed largely to French technical military works, as also did he to educational literature. The Countess of Ranfurly, and her ■winsome daughter (Lady Eileen Knox), took a leal intoiest in the display given by Fiie-Captain Hugo and his men, at the station, and with the new steam hie-engine last Tuesday morning The ladies wanted to know the ms-an-outs of everything and Captain Hugo, Captain Alexander, Mr Beauchamp, and Mayor Aitken were hard put to it at times to make themsehes clear upon intricate questions The new engine, with its shining brass body and multitude of valves, looked a most complicated, 01, as one of the citj 's officials punninglv put it — ' a most invalved affair." • • » A good story is being told of an explanation which a, pm ate citizen was called upon unexpectedly to make to a quen put by Lady Ranfurly. It was ]ust as play* began with the four leads of water from the engine The engine had been "show ing-off" with one lead previously Then the four connections were made. Her ladyship asked her neighbour — a commercial gentleman, who knows nothing of any other pressure but that put by (i editors upon debtors- whether there would be as much piessuie m each of the foui |ets of water fiom the- engine as theie wa.s in the one just show n ? Oh no," was the quick and assured iepl\--^ou see, there are foui jets, so they will onh have a quartet the power each 1 " And just after this remark four jets went up as high as the one had previously »one'» one ' * Journalists thioughout the' colony have heard with regret of the laving bv of an old eointade, Whitole's King, who has been in hospital in Sydney foi some weeks seiiously ill. Mr. King was well known in Wellington particularh and the colom generally , some a ears back, and his was a familiar face in the Press Gallery in session time He went over to Australia, and, at the time, of the gieat stnke period, he became secretary of that most powerful organisation, the Pastorahsts' Union of New South Wales As an oiganisei he pro\cd lnghh successful, and took a piominent pait m the strike struggles with the sheareis of Australia something like a decade ago He then, with two other New- Zealandei^ one of whom was Mr. If. E. N. Tuopenirv, eveditoi of the Otago I)«ul\ Tunes" -came into possession of the Pastoiahsts' ReMew ," which was languishing and in a few years, built it up until to-chn it stands as one of the most piosperous publications in the Commonwealth * * * In no hobb\ that Go\ernois of this colony have taken up has any won more renown than Go\ernor Ranfurlv's for the- \eterans of the Kmpne's wars. Ample ewdonco of his popularity with the old soldiers was gi\en at the Veteian's Dinner on Monda\ night, when His Excellency was in his happiest mood and made one of Ins top-notch speeches Since the outbreak of tho Transvaal War Lord Ranfuilv has taken a. keen niftiest in our old soldiers and his inquines into then recoids and their condition of life ha\e in some cases led

to justice being done to long-neglected \\ amors. In. some cases Imperial pensions were secured through the personal endeavours of the Governor, and the veterans of New Zealand have straightened themselves and "grown visibly" sine© they have come undei the notion of the colony's. Commander-m-Chief. May his interest in them continue * * * The newly-elected President of the Wellington Ministers' Association, the Rev. Charles Dallaston, is one of the best known, yet most unobtrusive of our clergymen. As pastor of the Vi\ lanstreet Baptist Church he has taken a prominent pait in all evangelical xevnals and social movements and is so broadminded "that he lends a willing help to missions conducted by the Salvation Army, by the Church of Chust, and b^ the prohibitionists, and is as ready to confer with the Anglican Bishop upon social and religious questions a.s with any other man. In fact, Mr. Dallaston's energy outruns his physical poweis, for he has ever had delicate health He was for some fourteen years pastor of the Oxford-sheet Church, Chnstchuich before coming to Wellington, and ho came out to theCathedial City troin Spin-

geon's College, England, having been one oi. the gieat bpurgeon'd promising young came out to the Cathedral City from Spurgeon's College, England, he havuig boon one of the great Spurgeon's young men He has been in charge of the Vn lan-street church for close upon ten years, and ib greatly beloved by his people, and. in fact, by people of all creeds and classes who enjoy the privilege of his acquaintance. * * * The Rojal Navy Reserve is strongly lepiesented on the direct liner Wakanui, \\ lnch ainved in port from London last Tuesday Her chief, third, and fourth officers carry the mitia's R.N R. after then names, and the midshipman also has that honour. By the way, that inidd\ bears a name that is intimately connected with the colonies, in that the father of Midshipman SomersVine w as one of the promoters, and an executive officei of, the Imperial Institute, m the building of which King Edwaid, when Prince of Walefe, took so much inteiest. Sir Somers-Vine was one of the "pals" of the Prince, and cettainlv displayed a great deal of en- < 1 a;\ m making colonial Imperialism take a conciete form