George's fiery editorials
Despite the tragedy unfolding in Rutland, George still had a paper to edit. James Bolton had empoyed George to write
the editorials and run the news end of this newspaper at a salary of $35. a week. Bolton ran the business side of the
paper. The Lynn Evening News circulation increased steadily under the new management adn the paper led, and won, two
rather remarkable election campaigns... However business wise, the paper did not succeed...
Several of the letter handed down focus on the Lynn issues which George railed for or against, or on the stream of characters (both inside and outside the newsroom) with whom George dealt. in one particularly bilious (and undated) letter, he wrote:
"I've got a dandy editorial in as No. 1 today that will rankle in the breasts of a number of men and please a vast majority. It is a work of art for insidious inuendo. It gives the present commission an awful jar for their action endorsing depression [below-ground railroad tracks, not elevated] to the extent of any amount of expenditure the other day but it doesn't even mention this city government or their action. It mentions other instances of the kind and by failure to say anything about the present instance will draw all the more attention to the hasty and ill considered action. It makes pointed criticism of Bauer of the Board of Trade who seems to carry that organization on his shoulders. It gets in a hard upper cut on the jaw of the 'leading citizens'...
Blood, Bauer, Hasting et als are might sore. They know they are licked. This today will get beneath their vest and wont please them a bit. Its gospel truth anyway and if I get assassinated tomorrow for it I will know that it has taken some of the gimp out of these prigs, and snobs, and four flushers. That's what I enjoy. I hate snobbery and if ever a community existed where a few monkeys set themselves up to be 'leading citizens' its Lynn. There are plenty of men with picks and shovels who have more brains. These fellows are social mushrooms who started at a shoe bench and have ended in a manufacturers chair or a bank directors seat and they havent had time to get broad minded they've been so busy keeping their noses to the grindstone of business. If they had succeeded to success of their fathers at least they would have been a little broader in their views. I've got them going, anyway and I know the average citizen is tickled and it makes me laugh a lot to myself. Linscott and I get a lot of fun picturing to ourselves how they must be squirming for they have never had a word of criticism from Lynn papers...
So it goes- but lest you think I have forgotten the main theme of our life- love- lets get back hurredly. I'm feeling sore in my kidneys or that region so last night I went to Dr Grimes and he thinks it is rheumatism or some muscular soreness so dont worry. Dont think of dying or my dying for that isn't the way to live but more or less at intervals we all have to make some kind of arrangements like insurance and it isnt a bad thing to feel all the time that you could go fairly content the way you have used your time and the fullness you have got out of life.
i've got so much that I'm pefectly happy only when money matters pinch and that doesnt make me unhappy only if it worries me. I'm coming up tomorrow, probably late, but perhaps on an early train...
Darling, I love your, love you, love you, so very very much and am so happy in your love and affection.
I must close dearest, as I am in a hurry to get this off and go to the P.O. for your letter and then to get to my editorials for tomorrow and my other work.
Parts of another letter, undated (but presumed from March 1911), contained these musings:
"Well things are breaking great. Turnbull comes out for municipal ownership of gas business and Connery takes our stand that while this is a future problem we must face the problem now is the PRICE of gas. We've stirred things up in great shape haven't we dear. Sick 'em!
Then you see Turnbull is putting it up to the assesors to change their tune or resign. We advocated their resigning some time ago editorially-- remember?
Oh, I've got in right on things and I'm going to wield a lot more power if Bolton dont sell out the paper and If only we can live along then I'll start a little weekly and wield a lot still and maybe I could get a daily and have it printed every night in Boston. I dont believe Bolton can sell out though...
I have had more compliments for my editorials lately, that is within two weeks, than ever before since I came to Lynn. Many men speak to me personally about my interesting work and as a Mr. Marsh, millionaire manufacturer of the 'Good Will Soap' told our advertising man 'fine writing.' He told the advertising man that he and his wife always read my eds every night and think 'Mr. Armstead is a fine writer!'
Others told the ad man, Druehl, so he told me yesterday, that my editorials were worth the price of the paper if people took the Item beside anyway.
That presumably inspired this dated response from Marion:
When Georgie Armstead came to Lynn,
He found the city full of sin.
He said, "These things ought not to be,
I'll try to find a remedy."
He first attacked the policy biz,
And then poor mayor Rich got his.
Then folks sat up and looked about,
For George was making a stir, no doubt.
When Lynn decided for charter revision,
Georgie approved of that decision.
He believed in the commission plan,
And shouted for it like a man.
Commission won, and then there came
A rush to get into the game.
Georgie kicked out his man for mayor,
And fought for Connery, fair and square.
He next attacked the Lynn Gas Co.
Because they're making too much dough.
For cheaper gas he made a fight -
The outcome is not yet in sight.
Oh, George is up and coming, sure -
He makes impressions that endure.
And if you want to know his views
On any subject - read the "News".
Marion Gorham Armstead
March 14, 1911, Rutland Mass.
Several of the letter handed down focus on the Lynn issues which George railed for or against, or on the stream of characters (both inside and outside the newsroom) with whom George dealt. in one particularly bilious (and undated) letter, he wrote:
"I've got a dandy editorial in as No. 1 today that will rankle in the breasts of a number of men and please a vast majority. It is a work of art for insidious inuendo. It gives the present commission an awful jar for their action endorsing depression [below-ground railroad tracks, not elevated] to the extent of any amount of expenditure the other day but it doesn't even mention this city government or their action. It mentions other instances of the kind and by failure to say anything about the present instance will draw all the more attention to the hasty and ill considered action. It makes pointed criticism of Bauer of the Board of Trade who seems to carry that organization on his shoulders. It gets in a hard upper cut on the jaw of the 'leading citizens'...
Blood, Bauer, Hasting et als are might sore. They know they are licked. This today will get beneath their vest and wont please them a bit. Its gospel truth anyway and if I get assassinated tomorrow for it I will know that it has taken some of the gimp out of these prigs, and snobs, and four flushers. That's what I enjoy. I hate snobbery and if ever a community existed where a few monkeys set themselves up to be 'leading citizens' its Lynn. There are plenty of men with picks and shovels who have more brains. These fellows are social mushrooms who started at a shoe bench and have ended in a manufacturers chair or a bank directors seat and they havent had time to get broad minded they've been so busy keeping their noses to the grindstone of business. If they had succeeded to success of their fathers at least they would have been a little broader in their views. I've got them going, anyway and I know the average citizen is tickled and it makes me laugh a lot to myself. Linscott and I get a lot of fun picturing to ourselves how they must be squirming for they have never had a word of criticism from Lynn papers...
So it goes- but lest you think I have forgotten the main theme of our life- love- lets get back hurredly. I'm feeling sore in my kidneys or that region so last night I went to Dr Grimes and he thinks it is rheumatism or some muscular soreness so dont worry. Dont think of dying or my dying for that isn't the way to live but more or less at intervals we all have to make some kind of arrangements like insurance and it isnt a bad thing to feel all the time that you could go fairly content the way you have used your time and the fullness you have got out of life.
i've got so much that I'm pefectly happy only when money matters pinch and that doesnt make me unhappy only if it worries me. I'm coming up tomorrow, probably late, but perhaps on an early train...
Darling, I love your, love you, love you, so very very much and am so happy in your love and affection.
I must close dearest, as I am in a hurry to get this off and go to the P.O. for your letter and then to get to my editorials for tomorrow and my other work.
Parts of another letter, undated (but presumed from March 1911), contained these musings:
"Well things are breaking great. Turnbull comes out for municipal ownership of gas business and Connery takes our stand that while this is a future problem we must face the problem now is the PRICE of gas. We've stirred things up in great shape haven't we dear. Sick 'em!
Then you see Turnbull is putting it up to the assesors to change their tune or resign. We advocated their resigning some time ago editorially-- remember?
Oh, I've got in right on things and I'm going to wield a lot more power if Bolton dont sell out the paper and If only we can live along then I'll start a little weekly and wield a lot still and maybe I could get a daily and have it printed every night in Boston. I dont believe Bolton can sell out though...
I have had more compliments for my editorials lately, that is within two weeks, than ever before since I came to Lynn. Many men speak to me personally about my interesting work and as a Mr. Marsh, millionaire manufacturer of the 'Good Will Soap' told our advertising man 'fine writing.' He told the advertising man that he and his wife always read my eds every night and think 'Mr. Armstead is a fine writer!'
Others told the ad man, Druehl, so he told me yesterday, that my editorials were worth the price of the paper if people took the Item beside anyway.
That presumably inspired this dated response from Marion:
When Georgie Armstead came to Lynn,
He found the city full of sin.
He said, "These things ought not to be,
I'll try to find a remedy."
He first attacked the policy biz,
And then poor mayor Rich got his.
Then folks sat up and looked about,
For George was making a stir, no doubt.
When Lynn decided for charter revision,
Georgie approved of that decision.
He believed in the commission plan,
And shouted for it like a man.
Commission won, and then there came
A rush to get into the game.
Georgie kicked out his man for mayor,
And fought for Connery, fair and square.
He next attacked the Lynn Gas Co.
Because they're making too much dough.
For cheaper gas he made a fight -
The outcome is not yet in sight.
Oh, George is up and coming, sure -
He makes impressions that endure.
And if you want to know his views
On any subject - read the "News".
Marion Gorham Armstead
March 14, 1911, Rutland Mass.
