TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1919. v THE DAILY BRITISH WHIG EDITORS OF THE WHIG ~ SINCE ITS FOUNDATION 1 have kngwn. every editor of the Whig since its foundation in 1834. Naturally that does not mean that I'have lived the length of years that the Whig has existed, for the first editor, the venerable Dr. Edward John Barker, the founder of the aper, was passing from the scene of his sterling activity when 1p Ad into the Whig office a lad of eighteen. The founder of the paper was a very vigorous writer, one 'who might be regarded as possessed very largely of the personal element in journalism. 'He hit hard and vigorpusly, and as'a result was a shining mark for all the critical editors throughout Upper and Lower Canada; as the country was divided at that time. He conducted the Whig from 1834 to 1872. The paper was Conservative during those years, and among other marks of favor the distinguished journalist reeeived was a press pre- sented by Sir John Macdonald and his friends. Remarkable to éay in after years this same press was used in the propagation of doctrines antagonistic to the Conservative chieftain. Dr. Barker spent his declining years at his home on Barrie- field Heights, honored and revered by a great body of the citizens who had known him through his very remarkable career. Succeeding him came his grandson, Edward John Barker Pense, who conducted . the paper from 1872 to 1910. I joined Mr. Pense in 1878, and soon after made the acquaintance of Dr. Barker, so that, as 1 said before, I have had an acquaintance with every editor who has written in the columns of the paper. Mr. Pense was chiefly engaged in the business end of the paper and its growth from a publication of 800 to 4,100 stood to his credit, a remarkable achievement in those days because the real benefits of the paper had not become so widely known: as they are at present, and the scientific treatment of the sale of the white space. was not so fully developed. Mr. Pense not "only was able to manage the financial and business end of the paper, but he was vesy versatile, and his judgment was regarded as sound and reliable. ' He frequently wrote for the BOTS of the Whig with a vigor and incisiveness that made his victims wince, The first editor after Mr. Pense assumed the conduct of the paper was Mr. Fuller, who afterwards became the elerk of the erown for Frontenac county. He was a brilliant writer and made many friends throughout newspaperdom for his Bagressive work. He was succeeded for a short while by Mr. Ashley, who afterwards spent many years on the Belleville Ontario as its thoughful editor. The late Wm. Tandy, a Kingstonian, and a singer of great merit, was editor for some ten or twelve years, and his con- stant assaults upon the national policy during the eighties are recalled by many citizens. Mr. Tandy's hand-writing--for typewriting machines were not then in vogue--was of the clearest character, and it was always a joy for eompositors to have his copy before them. Frequently, while he was on his singing touts throughout the provinces, his copy came in by mail. He wrote with force and lucidity, and was actively em- ployed in his editorial work up to the time death called him away. ; 3 And then came Robert Meek, a bosom friend and a genuine man. He was "the whole thing" in the Whig when I came. We labored and wrought together and turned out a paper of merit, at least it was so regarded in those days. As a matter of fact the local end of the paper was ponderous. The city council reports of those days ran from five fo ten columns after ..each session, Daylight was always found when the last sheet of the great event was written and the gas turned out--1]- always th ought it was 'when the gas was turned off." Every- thing was written with an now possible or desirable. But when two men had to fill a paper, the display of adjectives and well- added sentences was very apparent. About 1889, on the death of Mr. Tandy, Mr. Meek took on the duties of editor and an additional man was elaborateéness of detail that is not] = man of incisiveness and with a fine knowledge of the English Anguage. He was a constant student, he read extensively and he had the faculty of retaining the knowledge obtained. He could put vitriol into his sentences--he did not often do so, however--but- generally, his work was smooth, enticin and illuminating. - He considered well the policy the paper s ould take on living and vital Canadian questions, 'and having reached a conclusion it became a fixed purpose. And for this reason the Whig could always be relied upon to act sanely and wisely under the most' impressive circumstances. For some forty-five. years Mr. Meek retained his connection with the Whig. Soon after he assumed the editorship of the paper he became secretary of the Oddfellows' Relief Association and. for some thirty years i : During a period of the time the nominal duties of editor--and sometimes the stern duties of the office ~--were carried on by myself. Few men held such a high place in public esteem as did Mr. Meek, and his taking away, so sud- denly and surprisingly, has been a loss and misfortune that the city will not soon recover from. The present editor is Leman A. Guild, 'and as he is a live, active and earnest worker, this is not the place io proclaim a eulogy. I have lived with the Whig through days of adversity and prosperity. If had a circulation of 800 when I landed here: to- day its daily output is eight times as great. Its capital at the start was about $6,000 or $7,000; now it ranks at $100,000. Its development has been steady. ard constantly upward. It has had a long line of splendid workers; its reporters have all been energetic and full ofthe journalistie spirit. For many years its news features and local news have been admir-~ ably handled by G. H. Williamson and E. G. Barrett. 'They are old timers in the Whig office, reliable, aggressive, sterling men whose services are highly appreciated and worthy of the highest commendation. Behind and about them have been a succession of sub-editors and reporters whose efficiency and comprehension has enabled the Whig to hold a unique place in the life and thought of the people of Kingston and district. «J. G. ELLIOTT, President British Whig Pub. Co. A At A AAPA i A i iron. a WHIG'S FOUNDER AND GRANDSON | * DR. E. J. BARKER Founder of Whig; conducted it from added to the staff. Mr, Meek was a decidedly clever writer, a a Who published the Whig 3 1834 to 1872. 10, 7 th & from 1872 to CANADA'S OLDEST PRINTER = ; RECOUNTS EARLY EXPERIENCES Incidents of Samuel Reid's First Days in Whig Office Show the Difference Between the Modern Plant an That of Sixty Years Ago. It was on July 12th, 1858, that uel Reid, who has more active 'ears of service to his credit as a ter than any other man in Can- "Political bitterness ran pretty high in these days. I remtember one day at Odessa when nominations for the legislative council. were. being Made, I ad to take notes amid the noise, and stone throwing. escaped from the meeting with no bones broken, but I was compelled to write out my report in the shadow of two stacks of hay to escape the threats of both parties against the newspapers. Especially in the cam- paigns betwéen the late Sir Henry Smith and James Morton, there was always a battle, but at the declaras tion in the election between Sir Henry and Willlam Ferguson I was 3% ured by a farmer's, buxom wife. for writing 'lies' about her hubby iin the Whig. : a) sol was 8 HJand sometimes {charge of the iy and many of the incidents in early days serve to demon- trat the difference between the ) newspaper plant and that of am Jjack-of-all-trades, had * to ' keep payroll, . the he remained a confributing editor. |4, {street from the city limits to King street,' along King street to Barrie |, {Kingston passed a by-law giving the books and the circulation of the . the first four t morning. "There have been many improve- ments in the Whig in my time, and I 'have been thankful. to see them all. It shows continued - progress and the new monster ' press should prove to be the greatest step for- ward of all. It will certainly be some change from the press in my time, and the devils nowadays don't know what work is. In the old days I have seen myself at work setting housand 1 set in one type at three o'clock in the morn- 1 ing by lamplight, and then coming down at seven o'clock to start in again. But I don't regret it, and my memories of the Whig are the fondest I have." : a Except for a short period when he worked in New York, Besten, and Richmond, Va., and on the Kingston News, Mr, Reid has been in con- tinuous employ of the Whig, and is still on the pay rool, although he has ceased to perform . any active duties, will celebrate his sixty-fi: anniversary on next Twelfth of July. Be yom she. Has of the Whig to th jon it the: inent now in Basten Ontard and has 1 81 deavors, holds | 3 A BIGGER KINGSTON. (Continued from Page One) and higher ideas and ideals, will have a large part to play in its dévelop- ment and rowie, These men are coniing back now, many have already returhed, and in their ranks are thous- ands who are not content to let things be as they have always been, 'There hundreds who are enxious Ww, and who will deavours to promote Bt ey hand work and 3 ; at. characterized their fighting on the battlefield. There aré many such young men in Kingston Ia Cima bese progress with there is a great. possibility A Re took place, and the conned a and ohn monib Toronto. So far there is no definite plan for th: development of thes commercial asroplane, but Kingston should come in for a large share of any industry and trade which follows in the wake of this development. All that is necessary is that some of the progressive citizens of Kingston bestir themselves and take an active interest in this business in order that its benefits may be felt here. Room for Optimism. And so there is no reason why we should not be optimistic regarding the future of our city. We need kouses, we need a hotel, we peed new industries, we need a more progressive and wide-awake city council, but these things are all coming, and coming soon. We are confident that the op- timism we have shown by spending thousands of dollars in placing this "Bigger Kingston Edition" in the hands of the public, and securing the Necessary equipment to make every edition bigger and better than ever, and in keeping away out in front in the newspaper field in Kingston, as e Whig always has done, will not be misplaced, but that the growth of the city will show that we read aright the signs of the times, and made pre- parations for the bigger Kingston in jaca time. We bkave led the way. et Kingston follow and let her citi- zens take their full share in this growth which will put Kingston away abead of any of the smaller cities of Canada. 3 ah KINGSTON'S STREET CAR SERVICE. The Kingston, Portsmouth and Cataraqui Electric Railway, which supplies Kingston and, the adjacent village of Portsmouth with its street car service, is the outcome of a com- pany which' was incorporated by an act passed by the Ontario Legislative Assembly and assented to on Febru- ary 10th, 1876. This was the ori- ginal act Incorporating the Kingston Street Railway Company, which was organized by George Dennis Morse, James Leckie Morrison, Charley Morse, John Taylor, William Morse and William Mdnohan, who were the original directors of the company. The company was authorized to con- struct tracks and to operate cars, to be drawn by animals or any other motive power. The first cars were horse cars, and they were operated all the year round excepting during the winter months, when the com- pany was empowered to substitute sleighs for tars. The horse cars continued in operation until 1893, when an act was passed amending the original act of incorporation, changing the name of the company to the Kingston, Portsmouth and Cataraqui Street Railway, and giv- ing the company power to change from a horse car service to opera- tion by electricity . In 1895 an act was passed further extending the powers of the company, which at this time changed its name by substitit- Ing the words "Electric Railway" for "Street Railway," which name it still carries. During this period the company was in a, flourishing condition, and suppled.the needs of the people of the city Very well , The first cars ran on Princess street, up Barrie street to Union, and along Union street to the western city limits, In. 1889 the city of company power to lay tracks on Al- fred street from Union styeet to York street, and also to operate on Brock street from King to Ontario, along Ontario to William ,and up William 10 join the main line on King street. In 1894 power was given to lay a double track on King street, Brock street, Ontario street, and William street, and .in the same year power was also granted to lay tracks and operate a service on Union. street west and Ellerbeck street. A fur- ther extension was granted at the same time by a by-law giving the company permission to lay tracks along King street from = Princess street to the car barns. In 1896 another extension of the car service line running from 'Bagot and Princess' streets to the outer station was authorized. A year later a double track was laid on Princess street from a point op- posite the Orange hall to Bagot street. Before this, in 1894, the service was extended so that the cars ran out to Portsmouth, and the line 'The' company was not without its Jetinds of Jrouble. aa 1906 it got financial ficulties, and the bi 2 to operate for a period 'the 8ton held a meeting en masse to or was then fixed roughly as it is now. Jo tor published an opera entitled "The k ¢ mm." : of printing paper, _PAGE THREE po a ie LIFE STORY OF KINGSTON, THE OLD LIMESTONE CITY Away back in 1673, hawk-faced Count De Frontenac, pushing his way along the great lakes, bécame seized with the fact that the English were stealing the fur trade of New France. The old soldier solved all his difficul- ties with the sword. Shortly after daybreak on July 13th, 1673, he ar- rived at the Indian village of Catar- aqui with an imposing fleet of four lines of canoes, followed by two gaily painted: batteaux, and a rear-guard of more canoes, one hundred and twenty vessels in all. Including a de- tachment of friendly Indians, the French force was nearly four hund- dred strong. They were met in the river by a canoe Sontaibing Khe prin- cipal Iroquois chiefs, who agreed to the erection of a fort at Catar- aqui and who now paid their respect to the French leader in state. The fort--practically a pallisaded log 'cabin on a large scale--was duly built and de Frontenae shortly after- wards returned to France, convinced that he had locked, bolted and barred the English from New France for- ever. He appointed as his lieutenant that irrepressible dreamer La Salle, the man who left Montreal, via the St. Lawrence, thinking it would take him to China. La Salle went only about fifteen miles, settling in a bénd of the river, which his derisive neighbours nicknamed Lachine, or China. Fu La Salle used his occupancy of Fort Frofitenac as a spring ground for his exploration of the Mississippi. His successor, De Denonville, massacred a number of Indian chiefs by peculiarly treacherous methods, in return for which their people destroyed the fort and everybody in it. By this time de Frontenac had returned, and he re- built the structure; making it much stronger than before. After that 'the little settlement at Cataraqui = was fairly tranquil untilf17§8, when it was taken by Colonel "Bradstreet with a force of three thousand men and eleven guns. The fort held by the French at that time, stood on the site now occupied by the Tete de Pont Barracks. The British battery was erected on the site of the present market square. After this stormy period Kingston stagnated until it was permanently settled by a party of United Empire Loyalists at the close of the American war of Independence. Gradually the place assumed. a certain importance in the New Canada. The log-cabins were replaced by substantial buildings of grey limestone, which was plentiful in the district. The government built a small grist mill in 1772. Finally Kingston was chosen as a garrison for British troops. : But the town was not through with its periods of stress and storm, The American War of 1812 threw it into a turmoil at once. The government dockyard was situated on the penin- sula opposite the town, now occupied by the Royal Military College. re were big black and white timbered battleships moored all about the har vr." There was a fort at Fort Henry, the successor of Fort Fron- fenac. To this day the city retains something of 'its old-time military look, which, incidentally, is only one of the points which distinguish it from all other Canadian centres. Long before this, Kingston was recognized as having a great future. In 1795 a visitor from England wrote urging its claims to Be designated as the capital of Upper Canada, which had recently been separated from Lower Canada. That honour went to Toronto, but a greater one was ac~ corded to Kingston half a century la- ter. The two provinces were united, and Kingston was chosen as the first capital. The policy of all-Canadian confederation was now the absorbing topic of political discussion. This was consummated in 1867, and it is a matter of legitimate pride for King- ston that its member in the first Canadian Parliament was Sir John A, MacDonald, the first Prime Minister. Kingston held its capitalship for only three years, Foiled in its dreams of political pre-eminence, it has. not remained supine. It occupies a unique place in the honour roll of Canadian cities, It is the headquarters of Milhery District No. 8, extendin; from Cornwal to Bowmanville; an from Kingston to somewhere about the farthest north, including Ottawa. It is also the seat of the Royal Military College, an institution which is deservedly famous all over the world. It also contains Queen's Uni- versity, a home of higher education, which for seventy-six years has sent out gradustes all over Canada, "fitted to serve the'r country in church and state," as the prayer used in the university service finely expresses it. Kingston is also the home uf the _ penitentiary for the province of On- tario and has, in addition, a splendid array of charitable institutions. Last, 'but not least, it has achieved a steady and enviable progress as a business centre, as set forth in detail in the pages of this edition. Kingston is a city that will make good in the march of national progress. The great turn- ing point in its history will come with the completion of the Welland Canal scheme, thé deepening of its harbors for the largest vessels of the Great Lakes and the building of the governs ment elevators for the housing of mil- lions of bushels of the 'olden grain of the west, und its people are already bestirring themselves for that great opportunity, , INTERESTING REMINISCENCES" ~~ OF THE WHIG'S EARLY DAYS oy The Whig's first battles were fought against the compétition of convict labor with home mechanics and for the incorporation of King- ston as a town. The latter move- ment had opponents as well as sup- porters in plenty, but in 1838, while the people were agitated over the re- bellion, the charter was slipped through the Legislature. In 1834, the year the Whig was founded, the business men of King- ganize a scheme to create waters power for Kingston by damming the Rideau at Bell's Island or running a sluice from. Kingston Mills or Loughboro Lake. The project, how= ever," never materialized. A few years ago, John M. Campbell secur- ed water rights at the Mills and developed power which supplies Gananoque and also helps the King- Utilities Commission in keep- ing "down the Hydro-Electri¢ Com- mission's peak load at times, Kingston in 1834 had a population f 4,678, including a military garri- son of 1,000, The general opinion is that Kingston would to-day have 'been a bigger place if it had not been a garrison town. Vi Dr. Edward J. Barker, the Whig's » 'who lived at Barriefield was once clerk of the Kingston township council. In 1839 the doe: The Whig in its young days had more than once to appear in half size owing to delays in receiving stocks In the early days, the Kingston were in the rag business, giving two pence a pound for rags, 'shower of 'Stones. He returned \Bajus Drawer (onc Dalton'sy. the' Ot mmr |, about 110 years ago. is still It brewing. ? Upon Lord Elgin's first visit to Kingston, the Whig employees turn- ed out in a van with a smajl hand press and printed a welcome while : passing along Re Sireats. Among those who aided the Whig years ago in its daily portrayal of local life was Charles Sangster, the gifted Canadian poet. One of the grave charges brought against the Whig in 1834 was that its editor was seen in a saloon one evening. A Whig editor to-day would not be seen in a barroom--no, not when there is only two per tent. to be had. When the Whig was started, "afs fairs of honor" were still in vogue. The paper exposed a military officer. who had insulted a host of ladies at various times in the city, describing him as "drumstick-legged, with re ram's horn whiskers and . seh yes': The Whig editor declined his hallenge, stating that the officer's ase conduct had placed him outside the privileges of the field of honor. The Whig started in early in its career to fight the battles of the peo- ple. Its firet fight In 1834 was igainst the 'magistrates who fined William Carrell, of the Coffee House $8 and $3.50 costs because his serv- ing man drove down to the 1 ; with a package for a third party. received no remuneration wih vet it 'was considerad a breach Carter's Act. for sale in the market square, crowd ' gathered and hissed gromned. A shilling only was the constable retired before 2 'week later with the whole PRICES NOW AND 25 YEARS AGO, of 1894 wi and of living i' nl ET my per at. .. view of the presen agitation ry 'the Kingsto rk I be of £94 .25 ie 09 to .08 08 to (10 20 to 25 be pat, 34.50 10 $5.50 es