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 Newport Daily News 
 
 Its History 
 
 Its Building 
 
 Its Personnel 
 
 I 846 I 892 
 
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 DAILY NEWS JOB PRINT. 
 
THE BEGINNING. 
 
 THE NEWPORT DAILY 
 NEWS has just CL-lcl)r;itccl 
 its forty-sixth hirthdav aii- 
 nivcrsarv, the first issiu' 
 bearing- date Mav 4, 1846. 
 Previous to that time no 
 — attempt iiad het'ii made to 
 estaljHsh a tlailv papiT in 
 Newport, and the new venture was h)oked upon witii 
 suspicion and cUstrust l>y many of the citizens of tlu' 
 conservative ohl town, who thought t!ie res]H'ctal)U', 
 if sonu'what ponderous, weekly journal of their fatiu-rs 
 and grandfathers all-sufficient for their own neeils 
 and those ot their I'hildren's cliildren. The\ were 
 ske])tical, and ])erhaps not without just cause, as to 
 the success of the enterprise, and gave utterance to 
 manv prophecies of dire disaster by way of encour- 
 agement to its projectors. Yet tlie movement pros- 
 
 ivi207687 
 
4 THE BEGINNING 
 
 pered from the very beg-innin<:j, aiKl the paper soon 
 came to be regarded as no longer an experiment, 
 and to liave a recognized standing in the commn- 
 nitv. Like all things human the News has seen 
 periods of prosperity and of adversity, l)ut has hap- 
 pilv surviv(_'tl both. Today it occupies a position in 
 the citv of its home, and enjovs a reputation abroad, 
 which are alike gratifying to its proprietor and work- 
 ing force, and to the citizens of Newport generally, 
 and which make it a credit to itself and to the 
 communitv whose generous and constant support has 
 helped so largely to make the paper what it is. 
 
 The founder of the News, and for some three 
 years its proprietor, editor and business manager, 
 was Orin F. Jackson, well remembered by the 
 older citizens of Newport. Mr. Jackson was of a 
 nerv^ous tt'm]H'rament and energetic nature, whose 
 restless spirit would not permit him long to rc/main 
 in one place. He came to Newport from Connecti- 
 cut a stranger. During his brief stay he made manv 
 friends and jilaced the paper of his creation on a tirm 
 and permanent foundation, and then, instead of tarry- 
 ing to reap the fruit of liis labors, sold the establish- 
 
6 THE BEGINNING 
 
 iiuMit, at tliL' tinii' in a highly prosperous condition 
 aiul witli cxcL'lk'nt i)rospects l)efore it, and took his 
 (k'parturt- as siuUlcnlv as lie had conic. Little is 
 known ot his later history, save the tact that in the 
 tnHil)l()ns times on the Kansas border in after years 
 he was numbered among- the victims of those early 
 guerilla conflicts, whose distant muttering foretold 
 the terrific storm rising above the national horizon. 
 The new owners of the paper, who succeeded Mr. 
 Jackson in 1849 ^^mt'er the firm name of Cranston 
 & Norman, w^ere Messrs. William H. Cranston 
 and George H. Norman. These are both names 
 long and well known in the annals of Newport, and 
 the period of their administration marks what may 
 l)e called the high tide of the early prosperity of tin- 
 News. Mr. Cranston was not the least noted mem- 
 i)er of a family long prominent in the city anil 
 State, and l)ut recently become extinct. After his con- 
 nection witii the News ceased, he was a leading mem- 
 ber of tile bar for many years, served a long term as 
 Mayor, and w^as in otlier ways an important factor 
 in the politics and ])rosperity of the city. Mr. 
 Norman is still well known in Newport, wlierc his 
 
8 THE BEGINNING 
 
 sumiiuT residence is one of tlie most substantial 
 and costly among- those of early date, as a large- 
 minded and i>ul)lic-siiirited citizen, and in Boston, 
 wliere lie makes his winter iiome, and elsewhere, 
 as a successful l)usin(^'ss man, and an extensive 
 liuilder of waterworks in manv st'ctions of the coun- 
 try. Under tiie control of these gentlemen the paper 
 rapidly became an influence and a jjower in the 
 comnunn'ty, while its material prosperity was no less 
 marked. It was during tlu-ir proi)rictorship that the 
 first steam power press ever run in the Statt- was 
 purchased, the Nkws l)eing jjrinted upon it for a 
 full score of years thereafter. 
 
 As illustrating the characteristics of the i)api'r dur- 
 ing this ])eriod, and tlie kintl of men who gave it 
 their stamp and trademark, an article printed some 
 years since in the New York Evening Telegram 
 may he cpiotcd : 
 
 " l>oth of these gentlenu'ii were men of decicK'd 
 convictions f)n all (|uestions of public and personal 
 interest, aiul neither of them v.\v\- hesitateel to ex- 
 press his opinion wlu'U occasion required. Thev did 
 not seek success by catering to public prejudices or 
 
THE BEGINNING 9 
 
 apologizing for piihlic weaknesses. Froin the tirst 
 their administration was not only courageous, but 
 l)old, audacious and sometimes defiant. Tiiese fear- 
 less methods, including something of what may be 
 termed personal journalism, often gave olfense and 
 aroused ojjposition. But it is opposition that helps 
 rather than hinders the success of a newspaper. 
 Men scolded and sometimes threatened, but they 
 still bought or borrowed the pa[)er with as much 
 regularity as they ate their daily breatl. They found 
 in the editorial and local columns no meaningless 
 phrases, but many articles that were fearli'ss, anil 
 trenchant discussions of home affairs. These were 
 put forth in a spirit regardless of criticism and des- 
 titute of fear as to consequences. 
 
 In one sense the paper thus conduc-tcd was not 
 popular, aiul not a few of the timid and disalTectcd 
 crietl out against it. It is very possil)le that some 
 of its personal discussions were not contined within 
 the ordinary limits of newspaper criticism, but they 
 were not low or vulgar. The editorial work was 
 chiefly done l)y Mr. Cranston, who was often asked 
 to retract and make amends ; anil it is said that lie 
 
lo THE BEGINNING 
 
 was never asked for an explanation of tliis kind 
 witliout giving- it. But the free lance was used 
 in the latti-r as well as in former discussions. 
 'Cranston's apologies' are still spoken of in the 
 community as literary productions not to be for- 
 gotten. Whoever asked for one antl had his request 
 granted found the a]>ologv worse than the offense, 
 and even to this dav when an error is noted and 
 the correction dcsii'ed, the recjuest is often accom- 
 ])anied i)y a demiu'rer against an 'ajxdogv' likt' those 
 of tlie ohlen times." 
 
 In 1856 Mkssrs. Cranston & Normax sold the 
 estal)iishnient to an "association of L^eiitlemen," as 
 tiiey styled themseh't'S in the paper's own ad\'ertise- 
 nient, i)rol>al)l\- with no intentioiiaUv invidious refer- 
 ence to theii" |)redecessors in the husiness. The 
 l)apc-i- was issued in the name ot Mr. joiix MoHARi', 
 who was i'nii)lo\n'd as ediioi-, whih- its business 
 managcnu'nt was in the hands of tlu' hite Dk. Kben 
 TOURJKK of tile New England Conservatory of Music 
 in Boston, who was lor si\eral years a resident of 
 Newport. With this chaiiL^e in ownershii) l)egan a 
 period ot tlecline, which continued nearly a dozen 
 
12 THE BEGINNINC 
 
 years, and long- survived the enervating influence 
 which was its cause. Co-operative joiu'nalisni, in 
 the nature of things an anomaly, if not an impossi- 
 bility, was no more successful in those days than it 
 has proved in many a more pretentious instance 
 since. In the efforts of its editor and manager to 
 conduct its affairs in accordance with the varying 
 ideas of its numerous owners, the paper soon lost 
 the vigor of tone and independence of spirit which 
 had been its life, and with them its hold upon the 
 community. Its advertising patronage rapidly dwin- 
 dled and largely disappeared ; its subscription list 
 grew shorter with every succeeding week, and it was 
 not long before the paper ceased to be of value to 
 itself or to anybody else. Within a year the gentlemen 
 associated in its control became weary of their ex- 
 periment, and the News passed into the hands of 
 Mr. George T. Hammond. The ebb tide which had 
 Ijegun to run against the fortunes of the paper was too 
 strong, however, to be successfully stemmed at once. 
 During the years in which Mr. Hammond retained 
 its ownership he succeeded, perhaps, in " holding his 
 own," but he was never able to do much better 
 
THE BEG IN IN NG 
 
 13 
 
 than that. The paper struggled along with varying 
 fortunes, receiving slight encouragement from the 
 public and being alile, under such conditions, to 
 do little more than maintain an anxious existence. 
 
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NEW LIFE. 
 
 THE News was sold in 1866 to Micah J. 
 Talbot, a former principal of East Green- 
 wich Academy, and at that time Snperin- 
 tendent of Pul)lic Schools in Newport, and 
 Lucius D. Davis, who is still at the head of its 
 editorial staff. At the end of a year Dr. Talbot 
 retired from the ownership of the paper, disposing- 
 of his interest to Mr. T. T. Pitman, its present 
 proprietor. The firm of Davis & Pitman continued 
 in existence for a score of years, and l)ecame as 
 closely identified with the Daily News in the minds 
 of a later g-eneration as had l)een that of Cranston 
 & Norman in earlier days. In 1887 Mr. Pitman 
 purchased tin- interest of his partner in the l)usiness, 
 and thus became, as he still continues, the sole 
 proprietor of the pai)er. Mr. Davis, however, as 
 editor-in-chief, still maintains his connection with the 
 sheet with which his name has been so long insep- 
 arably associated. 
 
i6 NEW LIFE 
 
 Under the present administration, beginning vir- 
 tually with the accession to its ownership of MESSRS. 
 Talbot & Davis in 1866, the News entered at once 
 upon a fresh career of prosperity, which has con- 
 tinued unl)roken until the present. Its subscription 
 lists slowly but steadily increased in length ; its 
 advertising columns were more and more freely 
 patronized, and step by step it became possil)le to 
 add to the plant of the estal)lishment those modern 
 and approved appliances and facilities for gathering 
 and distributing the news which have become essen- 
 tial to a live journal of today. In many instances 
 these forward movements have been made in ad- 
 vance of any apparent demand for them, and 
 against the jutlgment of more conservative minds 
 which could see no necessity for a change of old 
 methods, and only tinancial failure as a result of the 
 adoption of the new. But the result has invariably 
 justified the undertaking, and vindicated the business 
 enterprise and foresight which prompted the venture. 
 Nor has the growth of the paper been solely, or 
 even noticeably, in these directions. The increase in 
 the amount, variety, freshness and quality of the 
 
PAPER ROOM. 
 
1 8 NEIV LIFE 
 
 matter furnislicil its readers has kept even pace with 
 its material advancement, through the constant addi- 
 tion of new departments and the enhirgement and 
 extension of the old. Long since, too, tlie News 
 regained, and still enjoys in increased measure, 
 that influence in the community, as a leader, 
 moulder, and exponent of pid)lic opinion, which 
 marked its earlier successes. Mr. Davis, its editor, 
 is a gentleman of culture and experience, thr)roughly 
 indentified with all the interests of the city, a writer 
 upon varietl and diverse topics of much grace of 
 style and facility in expression, and a pul^Iic-spirited 
 citizen whose views command the attention and re- 
 spect if not always the entire endorsement of the 
 community. During the long jK'riod of his editorial 
 control, covering a full ([uarter cniitury, Mr. D.WIS 
 has imparted to the News an individuality, a i)er- 
 sonality, almost distinctively its own, and has ren- 
 dered a service at the editorial desk- which, cou|)letl 
 with that of Mr. Pitman in the business office, has 
 given the paper the sure footing upon which it now 
 stands. The managenient has always recognized 
 faithful service, and the tenure of office in the estal)- 
 
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20 
 
 NEW LIFE 
 
 lishment is practically continuous. There are several 
 members of the force, numbering about fifty people, 
 who have spent the greater part of their lives in 
 the service of the paper, and are held in the highest 
 esteem by their employer. 
 
THE PAPER. 
 
 THE Newport Daily News is an eig-ht page 
 quarto sheet, 30 x 43 inches, folded and 
 trimmed, but not pasted, and sold at two 
 cents a copy. Its several departments are 
 each well maintained and carefully conducted in the 
 interests of its patrons. Its telegraphic service is 
 full and complete, giving each afternoon the history 
 of the preceding twenty-four hours. The News re- 
 ceives daily, over its private wire running direct to 
 its editorial rooms, the despatches of the Associated 
 Press. These are supplemented by special despatches 
 regarding matters of more than usual local interest 
 from correspondents in neighboring cities. During 
 the session of the General Assembly the News re- 
 ceives daily by wire from its Providence correspond- 
 ent an abstract of the most important business 
 transacted, together with such matters as relate more 
 especially to the interests of Newport. In addition, 
 
22 THE PAPER 
 
 it prints each afternoon several columns of tele- 
 grapliic matter carefully selected from tiie morning 
 despatches to the Associated Press, thus completing 
 its record of the day's doings abroad. This is by 
 far the most complete and satisfactory telegraphic 
 service at the command of the citizens of Newport. 
 The Daily News aims to be pre-eminently a local 
 paper, to represent the life and varied interests of 
 the community, to be a paper of the people and 
 for the people of Newport. Special attention is 
 therefore given to its local department, and the 
 field is covered with a completeness and minuteness 
 equalled by few dailies. 
 
THE CITY. 
 
 THE peculiar characteristics of Newport as 
 the ciiief watering place in America, the 
 summer home of many of the most dis- 
 tinguished and prominent people of the 
 country, and the centre of a vast social intfuence, 
 make what is termed society news and gossip a 
 marked feature of the local columns of the News. 
 During the six months of the "season" — for in 
 Newport, unlike other summer resorts, that very 
 elastic term covers full half the year — no chronicle 
 of events would be complete, or in any degree 
 adequate, which did not give a large measure of its 
 space to the daily life of the summer residents. In 
 July and August, when the whirl of gayety reaches 
 its height, and luncheons and afternoon teas, dinners 
 and receptions, balls and hops and dances, polo and 
 tennis and the " hunt," l)athing and driving ami 
 yachting and walking succeed each other witli be- 
 wildering rapidity, the News furnishes each afternoon 
 
24 THE CITY 
 
 a detailed and accurate history of the preceding 
 twenty-four hours, each day's picture forming- a part 
 in the shifting panorama of the summer's story. 
 This six weeks' mad rush is the least representative, 
 and to all concerned, perhaps, the least enjoyable 
 portion of Newport's season. The more quiet and 
 placid, if less exciting, life of the two months which 
 precede and the two or three which follow this 
 period, and which constitute the real " season " 
 that has given Newport her distinctive character 
 among summer resorts, finds, also, a faithful repro- 
 duction in the News. And throughout the year the 
 movements, whether at home or in foreign lands, 
 of those who come to Newport for the summer 
 are carefully followed and duly noted for the infor- 
 mation of their friends and fellows. Newport, too, 
 is the seat of three of the important naval stations 
 of the government, the Torpedo Station, War Col- 
 lege and Training School for Apprentices; and is 
 also the site of Fort Adams, one of the i^rincipal 
 fortiiications of the country. The K^cation within its 
 limits of these government stations brings to New- 
 port as permanent residents a considerable number 
 
26 THE CITY 
 
 of officers and their families. Army and navy news 
 from the entire country and, indeed, from all over 
 the world, becomes as a consequence a matter of 
 extended local interest, and is accordingly given full 
 treatment in the columns of the paper. The News 
 lias for years made these departments prominent 
 features of its local work, having been among the 
 first to give them special attention, and has devel- 
 oped and cultivated them so largelv and with so 
 great success as to call into being many followers, 
 though few rivals, along these lines. 
 
 Newport, because of its peculiar natural attractions, 
 is selected during the course of every year as the 
 place of meeting of many and all sorts of conven- 
 tions and assemblies, political, religious and social in 
 character. These are all fully and at the same 
 time concisely reported by the News. The paper also 
 gives a large measure of attention to theatrical and 
 musical entertainments, and to all social events of 
 local interest. 
 
 The proceedings of the City Council and the woi'k 
 of all the various l)ranches of the nnnuci])al govern- 
 ment are fully and accurately treated by members of 
 
28 THE CITY 
 
 the staff qualified for the task by long experience 
 and familiarity with the city's business. Articles 
 more especially literary in character and bearing 
 iijjon topics of local interest have l)een in the 
 past and continue to be made prominent features 
 of the paper. The entire local field, in brief, as to 
 matters l)oth great and small, is covered with a 
 care and a thoroughness which make the News pre- 
 eminently the local pa])er of tln' city. 
 
 The miscellany of the News has long heen noted, 
 both at home and abroad, for its high character and 
 uniform excellence. The selections are largely from 
 original soui'ces, and arc fresh and timeh'. Its re- 
 views of new books antl magazines, literary, musical 
 and dramatic notes, personals ami bric-a-brac are in 
 competent charge, special care l)eiug taken to print 
 only the best and the newest in all these depart- 
 ments, so essential in the making of a complete 
 modern daily. The colunni headetl " Seasonal)le 
 Notes," is in the hands of a pleasing writer, and 
 has become an attractive feature of the paper. 
 
JOHN G. COSTELLO, Reportbh 
 FRED M. HAMMETT, 
 
 Managing Editor. 
 H. B. WOOD, Court Reporter. 
 
 JOHN GILPIN, Reporter 
 L. D. DAVIS, Editor. 
 T F. HANNIGAN, 
 
 Telegraph Operator. 
 
 ISAAC KIR BY, Prov. Correspondent. 
 B. F. THURSTON, Special Reporter 
 A. W. LUTHER, 
 
 Jamestown Correspondent 
 
 
INFLUENCE. 
 
 IN politics the News occupies an independent 
 position, owning allegiance to no party or per- 
 son, and holding itself free to praise or con- 
 demn each and all as occasion may demand. 
 It has l.een for a score or more of years, how- 
 ever, an earnest and unfaltering advocate of a freer 
 trade and a material modification of the system of 
 tariff taxation put forth by the Republican Party. 
 This position it was among the first of Republican 
 newspapers in New England to take and maintain 
 before its readers. The News has and expresses 
 opinions on public questions, though in the words 
 of die article already quoted, " its chief mission is to 
 meet the demand for a home organ representing to 
 the world the fairest and most attractive city in the 
 Union." On all questions of local interest the Daily 
 News is on the side of progress and improvement. 
 It has been the unfaltering advocate of advanced 
 
30 INFL UENCE 
 
 sanitary measures, such as the introduction of water ; 
 the adoption of a plan of sewerage ; the laying out 
 of new streets and avenues ; the advancement of the 
 piililic scliools, and whatever else is intended to 
 make the City enjoyal)le and prosperous. Largely 
 through its influence the people, wlio are proverb- 
 ially slow to change their hahils of thought and 
 action, have been brought to make outlays of money 
 and !ai)or tiiat seemed to many extravagant, l)ut which 
 have already i)aid for themselves many times over. 
 In tliis direction, though avoiding tenilencies to ex- 
 travagant expenditure, it has been and is of great 
 service to the community. 
 
 The Daily News has had upon its etlitorial staff, 
 during (lie ])eriod of its present management, sev- 
 eral gentlemen of experience and markeil success in 
 other tields of labor. Among these are MR. JOHN 
 P. Sanuorn, now for many years proprietor anil 
 editor of the Newport Mercury, Mk. J. K. Chamber- 
 I.TN, connected at various times with tiie I'ditorial 
 tlepartments of the Chicago Times, Boston Rt'ct)rd 
 and Advertiser, anil at presi'ut "The Listener" of 
 the Boston Transcript; and Mr. Fred PerrY Pow- 
 
32 
 
 I NFL UENCE 
 
 ERS, later a member of the editorial staff of the 
 Chicago Times and afterwards its Washington editor, 
 now editor and a large owner of the Armv and 
 Navy Register. 
 
WEEKLY EDITION. 
 
 A FIRST-CLASS weekly, the Newport Jour- 
 nal, was established by MESSRS. Davis & 
 Pitman in 1867, and has since been pub- 
 lished in connection with the Daily News. 
 The Journal has won a liberal patronage, from the 
 nature of the case, largely outside of Newport proper. 
 Very many people who read the Daily during the 
 season at Newport, receive the Journal regularly 
 at their winter homes. The paper also makes 
 weekly visits to many of those who live for longer 
 or shorter periods abroad, enabling them to main- 
 tain their acquaintance with life in the chief of 
 American summer resorts. The sons and daughters 
 of Newport, who have goiu' out and achieved fame 
 and fortune in other cities tiiroughout the land — and 
 they are many in numl)er — revivtf each week, through 
 reading the columns of the Journal, their memories 
 of the old home from which none strav so far as 
 
34 
 
 WEEKL Y EDITION 
 
 to cease to love it. Made up from the best local 
 and general matter contained in the week's issues of 
 the Daily News, the Journal is able to furnish a 
 nuicii 'greater amount of reading than could be 
 afforded had it no daily paper upon which to draw. 
 A local event, to which but a few lines might be 
 devoted if type were specially set, is given in the 
 Journal with all the fullness with which it was re- 
 ported by the News. Thus readers in distant cities 
 are supplied witli just the local information they 
 desire, and read precisely the same account as do 
 members of their families still living in Newport. 
 
CHARLES S. PACKER, Clerk T. T. PITMAN, 
 
 THOMAS F. KELLEY, Foreman Proprietor 
 
 EMMANUEL J. RODERICK, Assist. Foreman, 
 
 W. S BROWNELL, Bookkeeper. 
 W, O MILNE, Foreman Job Office. 
 JOHN F ADAMS, Eng'rand Pressman. 
 
THE BUILDING AND PLANT. 
 
 REFERENCE has already been made to 
 the extensive and complete plant of the 
 News establishment. A brief description, 
 somewhat in detail, is given of its sev- 
 eral features. In May, 1879, ^^e home of the 
 paper was established in its present location until 
 then familiarly known as the Swinburne Block. The 
 paper had long outgrown its former place on 
 Church street, and its publishers had been looking 
 for a suitable site on the principal business thor- 
 oughfare of the citv. The Swinburne Ijuilding was 
 selected as tlie l)est for the purpose, and the man- 
 agement was then confident, and is more than 
 ever certain as tlie result of experience, tliat toi' 
 the needs no lietter choice conld have been made, 
 and the location could not be improved. Though 
 fitted expressly, at the time of its purchase, to meet 
 the wants of the paper, many changes and improve- 
 
36 
 
 THE BUILDING AND PLANT 
 
 ments have been suggested by the experience of a 
 dozen years. Today, as a result of constant en- 
 largements and adaptations to the developing needs 
 of the business, the Daily News building is a 
 model of its kind, though tliere are strong indica- 
 tions that at no distant day the rapidly increasing 
 business of the establishment will have largely 
 outgrown its ample limits. 
 
 Nearly the entire 
 building, three 
 stories in height, 
 is occupied l)y 
 the various de- 
 partments of the 
 New.s establish- 
 ment, and a force 
 of nearly hftv peo- 
 ple is emploved. 
 Of three stores 
 wliit-li ()ceii])v the 
 front ot the lower 
 ei- tlonr that in 
 the middle is 
 PRIVATE OFFICE.— From u unting Room. 
 
38 THE BUILDING AND PLANT 
 
 used as the counting room of the News. This 
 room, which measures 15 by -},2, feet, is fitted in the 
 most (.omph'te anil convenient manner. It has a 
 handsome wainscoting of ash, and the walls are 
 of neutral tint, with wide frieze in rich design. All 
 the wood work in the room, wliich is of ash selected 
 witii great care, is well finished. The coun- 
 ter, with desks for the l)Ook keeper and two clerks, 
 was made from special plans, and for conven- 
 ience, nicetv of finish and beauty of design will 
 comiKire favoralilv with anything of tiie kind in tlie 
 citv. Two massive and ornamental cases, eacli spe- 
 cially fitted for its purpose, are used for keeping in 
 convenient form for ready reference the boiuid files 
 of the Nkws, and loose copies of issues of both 
 dailv and weekly of recent date. Standing desks ami 
 reading tal)les for tlu- conveiuence of tlu' jmlilic are 
 ])laced against the walls, and a luuulsome time piece, 
 an elevator and speaking tubes communicating with 
 the ujiper stories of the binlding, a telephone and 
 toilet facilitii-s are among the conveniences which go 
 to make this a first-class modern newspaper office. 
 
40 
 
 THE BUILDING AND PLANT 
 
 Directly in rt-ar 
 of tlu' couiitiiiy 
 room is i\\v \)\'\- 
 atc ofiicc of Mr. 
 IMlMAX. This is 
 a small but richly 
 littcil room, lit^ht- 
 cd from above. 
 Its walls arc lin- 
 ishctl with cherry, 
 bt'autifullv pan- 
 eled in si)ecial dc- 
 si,n"ns, while the 
 larye desk and 
 slulvin!^' above 
 are of the same 
 wood and similar 
 
 INTERIOR OF PRIVATE OFFICE. 
 
 work. Here are speaking- tnbes running to all parts 
 of the building-, and many other conveniences. 
 Handsome furniture aids in making this one of the 
 most elegant and cosy offices to be found in Newport. 
 In the rear of the building is the press and engine 
 room, well lighted, and ceiled with spruce. Some- 
 
42 THE BUILDING AND PLANT 
 
 what irregular in shape this room occupies the entire 
 remainder of the h3\ver tioor, together with n hirg'e 
 story and a lialt addition l)uilt to accommodate the 
 engine and sluifting. The main engine is of ample 
 ])ower to drive all the machinery in the building. 
 A larger bdiler than is necessary to give power to 
 the engini' is used in order to supply steam to the 
 radiators which heat the entire building. A sec- 
 ondary f)r reserve engine and boiler of less 
 power are in constant readiness for immediate use 
 in case of emergency. In this room may be seen 
 in operation daily the fast doidjle-cylinder Hoe press 
 witii Dt'xter folders attached, recently added to the 
 equipment of the News, which is capable of print- 
 ing and delivering folded and trimmed, ready for 
 the carriers or for mailing, nearly 4,000 copies of the 
 paper an hour. By its side stands the two-rev^olution 
 Cottrell press, with folder, which assists in working 
 off the editions of the paper. 
 
 The entire second floor of the l)uilding, with the 
 exception of one room rented as a law office, is 
 given up to the job printing establishment. The 
 equipment of this department is remarkable for its 
 
44 THE BUILDING AND PLAN! 
 
 extent and completeness, being equalled probably by 
 that of few offices of its size in the country. Here 
 mav be found a cylinder press, three platen presses 
 and a poster i)ress of the Washington pattern, a 
 steam, self-clamping paper cutter, card cutter, binder, 
 or binding machine, perforating machine and block- 
 ing press, besides an imusual amount and variety of 
 the newest styles of type. A room opening from 
 the main office has been fitted expressly for the 
 storing of the large quantities of paper and card 
 stock necessary for the business. 
 
 The third story is occupied by the editorial and 
 composing departments. The type-setting room takes 
 the north side of this floor from front to back, to- 
 gether with a large portion of the rear. From it an 
 elevator carries the forms, when ready, to the press- 
 room on the first floor. Opening from the compos- 
 ing room, and also into the editorial office, is a 
 small room exclusively for the use of the proof- 
 reader. Directly at the head of the staircase, and 
 adjoining both the composing and proofreader's 
 riKiius oil tlu' front of the l)uilding is tiie editorial 
 office, l6 l)y 13, supplied with a huge and well- 
 
THE BUILDING AND PLANT 45 
 
 selected library of reference. Between this and the 
 composing room, and opening- into l)oth, runs an 
 elevator to the counting room l)elovv. Adjoining the 
 editorial office a smaller room is given up to the 
 use of the stat^' of local reporters. This room is 
 furnished with a special telephone, distinct from that 
 on the tirst floor, and like the editorial and com- 
 posing rooms, communicates with other parts of the 
 building by speaking tubes. The remaining room 
 on the street front is fitted for the use of the spe- 
 cial telegraphic operator serving the News, and is 
 also occupied l)y Mr. Davis as a private office. In 
 the rear of the building, across the hall, are dress- 
 ing rooms specially for the convenience of the 
 women compositors. These rooms afford pleasant 
 views of the inner and outer harbors. Above is the 
 room devoted to making illustrations of local events, 
 which appear in the News as occasion requires. This 
 is in charge of a competent man who devotes his 
 entire service on the paper to this work. There is 
 also a large attic with ample space for storage, and 
 rooms for any special use that may arise. From 
 the roof of the building the view of the city and 
 
46 
 
 777^ BUILDING AND PLANT 
 
 harbor, of land and water, is superb, sweeping far 
 out to sea in one direction and extending up the 
 liav in the other. Topping all rises from the roof- 
 peak a staff from which on gala days and occasions 
 of special note float proudly the stars and stripes of 
 the national ensien. 
 
Opinions of the Press. 
 
 Few papers in New England maintain uniformly so high a standard of char- 
 acter, and to this fact the great success of the News is largely due. — [New Bed- 
 ford Mercury. 
 
 Somewhat after date, the Newport News has celebrated its forty-si.xth birth- 
 day by issuing a finely printed and illustrated supplement, historical and 
 descriptive, with the News for its subject. In many of the interior views, 
 well known members of the News staff appear as they are hard at work. The 
 paper is a fine one and deserves forty-si.x years more of success. — [Providence 
 News. 
 
 The News is a fearless, honorable, able and useful independent newspaper, 
 and Newport is fortunate in such a champion. That it is, like its class every- 
 where, prosperous and respected, while the cowardly neutral and selfish organ 
 weaklings are being forced to the rear, is not a matter of surprise. The news- 
 paper visitor to the family, like the individual, is expected to say something of 
 interest occasionally. And above all, it must be honest and courageous to be 
 welcomed where truth and knowledge is sought. — [Woonsocket Reporter. 
 
 It has come to occupy the front rank among the daily newspapers of the 
 state. — [Westerly Tribune. 
 
 For nearly half a century the News has been a daily visitor at Newport 
 homes, during which time it has more than quadrupled its circulation and 
 taken rank first among suburban dailies. — [Newport Enterprise. 
 
 Prosperity due to enterprise and careful attention to the wants of its readers. 
 — [Providence Journal. 
 
 The leading paper of that favorite seaside resort. — [Brockton Enterprise. 
 
 Always a good and influential newspaper, was never better than now. — 
 [Providence Dispatch. 
 
 The bright and newsy pages of the Newport News are more attractive than 
 ever. — [Boston Record. 
 
 Has well earned the popularity and confidence it enjoys. It is an honest, 
 independent newspaper. — [New London Telegraph. 
 
 An entirely new dress, which is one of the best fitting and appropriate that 
 could be secured. — [New York Herald. 
 
48 PA' ESS NOTICES. 
 
 One of the most prosperous newspapers in Rhode Island and ime of the most 
 enterprising.— IPawtucket Times. 
 
 Is among the best looking of our exchanges, and is a paper of exceptional 
 ability.— [New Bedford Mercury. 
 
 Is independent in politics, consequently is one of our most valued exchanges. 
 — IPawtuxet Valley (ileaner. 
 
 An important factor in the i^rosperity of the city by the sea.— [Pawtucket 
 Gazette and Chronicle. 
 
 That bright paper, the Newport News. — [Boston Daily Globe. 
 
 A well edited journal, displaying industry, judgment and ability, and is one 
 of the most agreeable of our exchanges.— [Boston Gazette. 
 
 The News is the fairest newspaper in the state (present company always 
 excepted), and is as enterprising as it is fair. It deserves to be bought and 
 read by all Newporters, and all who care about Newport. What a world-wide 
 circulation that would give it, by the way !— [Providence Telegram. 
 
 The Newport News is the oldest, as it is one of the ablest and most success- 
 ful of the independent newspapers of New England.— [Woonsocket Reporter. 
 
 The News has always been a good newspaper, and deserves the success it 
 has won.— [Boston Herald. 
 
 One of Rhode Island's leading newspapers. — [Fall River Globe. 
 
 The enterprising Newport News. — [Fall River Daily Globe. 
 
 The Newport News, one of the very best newspapers that we know any- 
 thing about, seems to be on the top wave. ***** The paper deserves 
 its prosperity. More success to it. -[Westerly Tribune. 
 
 The Reporter has noted with interest and pleasure the improvements made 
 in the past few years by the News— enlargement, new press, now to be supple- 
 mented by a faster one, first-class telegraphic service, etc. Added to these are 
 its editorial and typographical excellencies, which make our friend at the other 
 end of the state worthy of the liberal support accorded to it. — [Woonsocket 
 Reporter. 
 
 It is a progressive paper, exceptionally able in its editorial department, and 
 we do not wonder that all the people of Newport read it every day — -[New 
 Bedford Mercury. 
 
 The News is one of the best papers in the state.— [Pawtucket Tribune. 
 
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