Journalism in 1900 London: Daily Telegraph: Proof Reading

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Arthur H. Beavan concludes his survey of London Journalism in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this look at the final proof reading before the Daily Telegraph is run off the press:

Lastly must be mentioned the moving spirit of the whole concern, Sir Edward Lawson, supreme editor and chief proprietor, who well deserved the honour bestowed upon him in 1892, and who all the world knows is the son of Mr. J. M. Levy, the "father" of the paper, and adopted the name of Lawson in deference to his uncle's wish.

He was born in 1833, and on leaving college, diligently served his apprenticeship, so to speak, in the newspaper-office of the Daily Telegraph.

His name, linked with that of Stanley, will go down to posterity quite as conspicuously in connection with the opening-up of Africa, as some other "builders of the Empire," whose motives may not have been quite so disinterested.

Here he acquaints himself with the views and opinions on current topics held by the great ones of society, Royal or otherwise, and often obtains information from the highest sources on some interesting fact debated over-night in the most exclusive of salons.

Thus possessed of valuable intelligence, he holds a kind of privy council at the Daily Telegraph office, when the policy that the paper shall, for the time being, pursue, in reference to matters political or social, is defined with the utmost nicety, and a leader, perchance, forthwith drafted out in accordance with this determination, and thus his master-mind gives the finishing-touch to the mass of news gathered in throughout the earlier hours of the day, from home and from the ends of the earth, by letter, telephone, and wire.

These are taken to the editorial office, and spread out upon a table so large that a family of children might play on it with little fear of falling off.

The copies are carefully scanned, and it is seldom an error or misprint is discovered.

Telegrams of urgent importance sometimes arrive at this moment of suspense, and are rapidly inserted with a brief notice attached.

But, in the ordinary course, at this stage the paper is passed and approved, and goes to press. Wearied brain-workers return home to snatch what rest they may, the mental forces in the Fleet Street building cease for the time, and steam and mechanical power resume their individual sway until the Daily Telegraph of the day is published.

Next: Imperial London: Epilogue