February.
JULIUS REUTER.
In October, in the year 1858, one morn
ing a gentleman called on me. His
accent, though he spoke English well, at
once indicated his German nationality.
"Have I," he said, "the pleasure of
speaking to Mr. Grant f"
I said that Grant was my name.
"Would you favor me with a few min
utes of your time, as I have what I regard
an important proposal to make to you ?"
"0, certainly," was my answer. "Take
a seat," and so saying I handed him a
chair.
"My name," he continued, "is Reuter.
Most probably you have never heard of it
before."
I said I had not had that pleasure.
"I am," he resumed, "a Prussian; and
have been employed for many years as a
courier to several of the Courts of Europe,
from the Government of Berlin; and in
that capacity have formed personal intima
cies with gentlemen connected with most
of the European Governments. It has
occurred to me that I might, therefore, be
able to supply, by telegraph, the daily press
of London with earlier and more accurate
intelligence of importance, and, at the
same time, at a cheaper rate than the
morning journals are now paying for their
telegraphic communications from the Con
tinent. But," Mr. Reuter added, "before
bringing under your consideration my pro
posals and plans, it is right I should men
tion, that previous to coming to you, I
called on the manager of the Timts, as the
leading journal, to submit my views to
him."
"That was perfectly proper," I observed.
"The Timii is not only the leading journal
of Great Britain, but of Europe and the
world. Did the manager of the Times," I
inquired, "entertain your proposals?"
"He listened to them," said Mr. Reuter,
"and to my exposition of the grounds on
which I felt I could carry them out, and
said that he had no doubt I felt confident
I could accomplish all that I was willing
to undertake; but, he added, that they gen
erally found they could do their own busi
ness better than any one else. That, of
course, I regarded as a negative to the pro
posals I had made to the Times. I have
therefore come next to you, as editor of the
Morning Advertiser, to lay my plans before
you, and submit my proposals for your con
sideration." Mr. Reuter accordingly entered into full
particulars relative to what he proposed to
do, the grounds on which he expected to
be able to carry out his plans, and the ar
rangements he had already made by which
he could immediately furnish a proof of the
practicability of all he was prepared to un
dertake. On carefully listening to all that Mr.
Reuter said, I remarked, as the manager of
the Timu did, that I had no doubt whatever
that he was fully persuaded in his own
mind of his entire competency to accom
plish all he was prepared to undertake. I
added that I would even go farther than
that. I had, I said, no hesitation in saying
that, after attentively listening to his state
ments, I lad faith in his ability to carry
out all he was ready to engage to do; but,
I added, that as certain arrangements
existed which I had made some time be
fore with our Continental correspondents
to receive telegraphic information of any
thing of importance which transpired in
any of the European countries, I should
think it unwise to break up those arrange
ments until absolutely certain, from ex
ricnce, of the success of Mr. Rcuter's plans.
I should here remark, that before this he
knew, because I had told him, that the
average sura we were paying monthly for
our telegrams from the Continent was 40,
and he had offered, while pledging himself
to transmit to us, as a rule, "earlier, more
ample, more accurate, and more important
information from the Continent," to charge
only 30 per month for it all. Of course,
THE WEST SHORE.
this was a great consideration; but though
I told Mr. Reuter that the difference in the
expense was a very important matter, yet
even that consideration must give way to
the efficiency of the manner in which that
department of the Morning Advertiser must
be conducted. If, I said to Mr. Reuter, I
had any absolute guarantee that he could
accomplish all that he undertook to do, I
would at once accept his proposals, in con
nection with the terms which he mentioned ;
but that while renewing the expression of
my belief that he would be able to do all
which he undertook to accomplish, still
that was only my opinion, and that I would
not feel justified in giving up the existing
arrangements to a mere opinion, however
firm my faith in its soundness. Mr. Reu
ter, I saw from a single word he said, hear
tily responded to the reasonableness of this
representation of the case, characterizing
it as a business-like view of the matters un
der our joint consideration. His counte
nance brightened up on my saying that if I
were satisfied that all he proposed was
practicable, I would at once agree to his
terms; and like one who had full faith in
his ability to do all that he had undertaken,
he immediately answered, " Nothing could
be more reasonable than that you should
not think of giving up your existing ar
rangements for receiving telegraphic com
munications from the Continent, until you
were furnished with practical proof that bet
ter arrangements could be substituted for
them; but so thoroughly satisfied am I that
my plans would be found better, as well as
cheaper, that I am willing to make this
proposal to you that I shall send you dai
ly for a fortnight my telegraphic communi
cations from the continent without making
any charge (or them, and you can, in the
meantime, go on receiving your own as
before. In this way," Mr. Reuter added,
"you will be able to institute a comparison
between the. value and the number, as
well as the relative cheapness of my tel
egraphic messages from the Continent, and
those which you receive from your corre
spondents under existing arrangements."
I not only at once admitted the liberal
ity of this offer, but intimated my accept
ance of it. Mr. Reuter, on my doing so,
expressed the great pleasure, and added,
"As I am going to make the same propo
sals to all the other papers the Telegraph;
the Morning Htrald, and the Standard;
the Morning Chroniele, the Morning Star
both the latter journals being at that time
in existence and the Morning W will
you permit me to say to the respective
managers of these journals that you have
accepted my proposals? Because," he
continued, "that may have the effect of
inducing them also to accept my offer."
"With great pleasure, on the understand
ing," 1 answered, "that you slate to them
the conditions on which I have done so
that is, provided that after receiving your
telegrams for a fortnight without any charge,
I am satisfied that you do the business
much better, as well as cheaper, than it is
done under the existing system, as worked
by our own private correspondents."
Mr. Reuter renewed the expression of
his gratification at the result of our inter
view, and before leaving said to me and
this it the great point to which I wish to
direct attention that if I had declined to
accept his proposals as the Tines had done,
he would not have called on the managers
of any of the other papers, but would have
abandoned the idea altogether of organiz
ing a system of telegraph communication
from abroad, because he added, if the Mor
ning Advtrtutr, or any one of the then ex
isting morning papers, liad declined to ac
cept his proposals, the acceptance of them,
even by all the others, would not have suf
ficed to meet the expenses which it would
be necessary to incur in the efficient carry
ing out of his plana. But all the other
morning papers, except, as I have said,
the Timii, accepted the same conditions
as those to which I agreed, namely, tltat if
they were satisfied, after a fortnight's trial, I
that his organization was superior to their
own, they would permanently adopt his.
Mr. Reuter in terms of the understand
ing not only come tc between him and
myself, but between him and the other
managers, with the one exception I have
mentioned at once applied himself to the
carrying out of his engagements; and most
certainly the result of the comparison be
tween his organization and that of the morn
ing papers at the time proved the very
great superiority of his. Not only did I at
once give a permanent acceptance to Mr.
Reuter's proposals, but the managers of
the other journals did the same; and from
that day is to be dated the wonderful or
ganization now known throughout the
world as "Reuter's Agency." The Timts,
I ought to mention, soon after joined the
other morning journals in accepting Reu
ter's telegrams.
The simple facts which I have stated
will, I am sure, be regarded as constitut
ing one of the most striking illustrations
which ever were furnished of the saying
before alluded to, that great events some
times spring from causes which seem to be
of the most trivial kind.
No one can read what I have thus writ
ten without being struck with the fact, that
not only one's reputation in (he world, but
his fortune sometimes, depends on the
slightest conceivable incident. That was
the turn of the tide in Mr. Reuter's for
tune; and since then the tide has flowed
with an increasing and rapid power, until
he has become, as he deserves to have
done, the possessor of a magnificent for
tune one, too, whose proportions are still
daily growing greater.
N I KKTHK IM1AI.I AHI.K
PIRRTJNG SCRUBBING MACHINE.
Heml order to the Sole AkciiU,
BRENNER A 80N,
'WholcMle and Kelall Grocera, First and Yam
hill Htreeta, Portland.
CORBITT MACLEAT,
13 1 15 Front St., and 10 A IS, KlrelHL, Portland, 0.
WHOLRHAI.B GROCER,
Skipping and Commlulom Merchant.
Importer! of
TEA, TOBACCOS & LIQUORS.
It i porter of
Wheat, Flour, Wool, and all klnda of Ore-
ffon rrwiHC,
Liberal Cash Advance on Consignment.
JAMES LAID LAW CO,
COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
T, Pint Nlmt, Portland.
HOLE AGENTS FOR (J I A NT POWDER,
Lea A Perrln'i Worcenterahlra Sauoe;
Agouti for Dundee Qrftln.Bug Manufacture,
And Ei port era of
OnAIN, WOOI- and KAI.MON, and other OR
KOON IMIODUUK.
J, MoCRAKEN CO.,
Importer,
SHIPPING- COMHIHHION MERCHANTS,
H, H, 64 and H North Kraut Bt., Portland, Oregon.
A GENTS FOR OII.ROY'R DITNDKK HAflH
J BiidBaRKlr.it: McMurray and W. K. IwIh
A llron.' Cane Gondii; Ohwokii KliiRHftml M(an-h;
fiuiinuweirn njrirua, urvHin i.trutr ami urynitti'
line Oil; Uros A Co. 'a ami Emery's Hon' Call'
me; naiem ieiut coh y, niie j,
N. D. Rpwlal attention mild to Hhlp'n btialneaa
iiu lu TV ii mi iik LMru'WP ui w iirub iiu r lour.
Kanj to Loan 11 Id Eititi kwilisi
BY Til It
OREGON AND WASHINOTOH
TRUST INVESTMENT COMPANY
Of eUaad, Capital 97AO, OOU-ttold.
Prtiidmt, Right Hon. the Earl of Aiii.ii, K.T..
CorUrliy Cattle, Hcotlunil.
Oregon Iteal Hoard: H. (loldimlta, Portland,
1 Kind 111 Mncleuy, Portland.
William Kam.lAnkeDy'a Building, 9 Flrat BL,
Portland, Manager.
Tan made from two to five, or In ap-vlal ia
ci, eight yean, repayable by liiiitulmeiiDi earl,
year or In ows aunt, aerured ny nmrtgani dwda
upon unincumbered farm lands only, aud immu-pli-d
city property In lrtlaad.
Application must bo niitile nennnallr or In
Writing U WILLIAM HKID,
Manager 0. and W. Trut Co., U Kind ftt.
T. A. DAVIS $ CO.,
11 Preai Street, - Pertlaad, Orofoa,
IMPORT KM AKD WHOLVIALtlia OF
DRUGS, PAINTS, OILS,
GLASS
ABD
DRUOOISTBSUN DRIES.
Role Aenta for the
AVERIU CHEMICAL PAINT.
TIAKDWARE, IRON. STEEL,
HUBS. SPOKES, RIMS,
OAK, ASH AND HICKORY PLANK
KUHTtlKIJP THOMPSON,
Cor. Front and Yambtll, Portland.
J. A. STRO WBRIDGE,
IMPORTS AND DBALII VS
141 Front St., Portland
W. JACKSON CO.,
lmportera.
Wholesale and retail rieaiem in Ant nnii.
CROCKERY, QLA88W ARE, FRENCH CHINA,
riiATKD WARE,
SBTH THOMAS CLOCKS,
And a general aawrtneat of
House Furnishing Goods,
PAINTS, OILS, &C., AC,
No. n Front Street, Portland, Oreion.
L KAUFMAN . M. H. HICHT. F. S. AKIN,
Kaufman, Hecht & Akin,
lmportera of
Boots 1 SIlOCS,
4T FRONT STREET,
Portland, .... Oregon.
G. H. MEUSSDORFFER,
111 Front St., Portland, Oregon.
JfcS-NEW STYLES -ft
Received by each Steamer.
Wild Flowers of Mt. Hood.
A NEW PERFUME.
TIIK MOST tlF.I.IOATK AND LAHTlNUtPIA
vortMl with flower, from tile
BASK OP MOUNT UOOD.
For Hale cor. Front and Alder SU., Portland, by
the proprlotoia,
C. II. W00DAIID A CO.
ESTABLISHED IN I860.
All Work and Qooua Warranted ai repreaentMl.
J. B. MILLER,
Watchmaker and Jeweler.
88 Find St., Cornell' llulldliis, Portland, 0,
Importer, MNiiurai'tiirrr and Dealer In
Fiie Wittkti, Clwki, Jtttlrr, Siltemre iii SbkIhIm,
nONHTANTLY OK HANIi-WATHKH OK TIIK MlWT
coletirnliid nrnken of Kuro.Mj ami A me He. Hhui1
Chas. Hirstcl & Co.,
IMP0BTKR8 A DKALKBI IV
BOOKS STATIONERY,
NOTIONS, TOYS, ETC., ETC.
Subscription! received for all Eaitern Publication!
No. 77, Front St, Portland, Oregon.
19-BUMt BOOKS-MADB TO OBDKB.
S. O. BKIDMORE,
Druggist and Apothecary,
111 FIRST STREET,
Portland, ... Oregon.
T1II4
ESTEY ORGAN
LEADS THE WORLD.
Or.r 1,000 Manufactured Montblr,
Nearly 60,0001n Actual Vtm.
Hend for Illuetrtitod CaUtloKUe. Agent wanted.
A. 9. HniTH C,
10, Front-el., Portland, Or.
HACHENEY & STEMME,
Corner First and Taylor, Portland, Oregon,
PealrraandJabbin la all klnda
FIRST CLASS GROCERIES,
Produoa, Etc, i.
Pull atoclf oomuntly on band,
(londa delivered In anr narl if Lha eltv trm
of clmrgo.
Call and i amine our utork.
u con. i. l. aounrBLD,
COHN &, ROSENFELD,
Commission Merchants,
4H0 IUUU II
Oregon and California Produce of all kindj,
Proiil M . tot If urriaoa an. Tm.II. Portland, Oga.
Cain paid for Butter, Kxir., Poultry and IIIdM.
mr tOHIIUlallltl SOLICITED.
ii. VO Hit ETC 8
Livery, Hack and Feed Stables,
(Plrt Proof), Corner Reoond and Taylor Rtreeta.
BMUMif able ri.ar.rea fbr Hlra. Partlcalar
A I tea iie.t paid te MemrdiMf; llvraea.
Ubwrve price In th Haok L part meats
tiding. 1 Mprhnr.
Callintr, l M Brat boiir We wh adallteaal hear.
To and nam R1U aixl Prtlfn al H a eoiipl.
Oidrra I ft &t HTARI.Kat rilHKLfc aitlKara
rawrala. lpf-rHark
dreaiatlj
eiwiHiMi v m aaf nuiir.
IVanl frit twin I Bum wfll kta AaraUkva tUelu the af
Ataerel fee la Mil ibtrlj iaja