Ohio History Journal

CLAUDE MEEKER

 

JOURNALIST-DIPLOMAT-GENTLEMAN

 

 

BY LOWRY F. SATER

 

A stranger entering the office of Claude Meeker in

his absence, would have recognized almost at a glance,

the unusual qualities that characterized the man. The

arrangement and completeness of the room evidenced

a well-ordered and discriminating mind, a love of the

beautiful, a familiarity with good literature, an enthu-

siasm for outdoor life; a wide acquaintanceship with

the leading men of the State and nation; the elements

of a progressive and intelligent leadership in his chosen

field; an intimacy of personal relationships, and a being

thoroughly in love with life, and enjoying to the fullest

all that each day could offer.

No one unacquainted with him, however, could have

known how fully and fittingly this fine figure of a man

completed this picture. On the other hand, no one,

from the humblest to the highest in the land, who knew

him in any of the many activities with which the busy

years of his life were crowded, could forget the least of

these qualities that recommended him so favorably to

their consideration.

Whether as a journalist, political leader, or success-

ful man of affairs; the counsellor and confidante of big

business, or the friend of the needy and unfortunate;

student, neighbor, friend or gentleman; he grew con-

(591)

• 1
 

(592)

• 2
 

Claude Meeker               593

tinuously in the esteem and affection of the people of

the community in which he was born, and with whom he

lived for more than forty years.

It is interesting but idle perhaps, in the case of the

man of five talents, to speculate as to what he might

have accomplished had he engaged in some other line

than that in which he attained distinction. Woodrow

Wilson would have been remembered as a great teacher

and author, and Herbert Hoover as a great engineer and

builder, had the one been content with the classroom,

and the other with the laboratory. Claude Meeker won

for himself a proud place alike in the field of journalism

and the consular service, before entering upon the work

for which his abilities and the acquaintanceship and con-

nections growing out of these earlier experiences, so

eminently qualified him.

Like John Hay, Whitelaw Reid, William D. Howells,

William H. Taft, Brand Whitlock, James M. Cox, and

a host of other eminent sons of Ohio, Mr. Meeker was

-arly attracted to newspaper work. Before reaching his

majority, he was reporting for the Cincinnati Enquirer,

which at that time was not only a great newspaper, but

under the directing genius of Washington McLean, was

recognized as one of the most influential organs of the

Democratic party west of the Alleghany Mountains.

Excepting for a half dozen of the great metropolitan

dailies, no paper in the country boasted a more brilliant

company of reporters than those who contributed be-

tween 1870 and 1890 to the columns of the Enquirer.

Along with the fascination that attracts, there seems

to be some subtle influence peculiar to the art of report-

ing that makes a man out of a boy more quickly, and

Vol. XL--38.

• 3
 

594     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

with more completeness than almost any other calling.

It was neither strange, nor long therefore, notwith-

standing the select circle into which he was admitted,

that the contributions of Fabius (Meeker's pen name)

began to appear along with those of George Alfred

Townsend, William C. McBride, S. E. Johnson, William

A. Taylor, Allen 0. Myers and Harry Weldon.

From the first, Meeker was attracted to politics, and

he turned to advantage every opportunity that the plans,

plots and purposes of the party leaders of the State

afforded. He was on friendly terms with Thurman,

Pendleton, Halstead and Sherman; with Ewing and

Brice; Butterworth, Foster, Hoadly and Foraker. From

his post in this city he reported from day to day the

activities and ambitions of the great and near great that

passed before him. These letters, particularly those

having to do with the sessions of the Legislature, might

well be likened to a moving picture of the public men

and measures that engaged the attention of the people

of the State at that time. His political convictions were

strong, but his appraisals were honest and sincere. His

judgments were generous, but frank and fearless. His

processes were direct and his impulses kind. His style

was lively, expressive and vigorous. He could be criti-

cal without being caustic, and partisan without indulg-

ing in personalities.

Most of the men of whom he wrote are gone, and

but for the occasional research student or some relative

"mindful of the unhonored dead," no one is now inter-

ested either in what they did or what he said. Jefferson

may have preferred "newspapers without a government

to a government without newspapers," but it must be

• 4
 

Claude Meeker               595

admitted that there is hardly anything more ephemeral

than the copy that fills their columns. With every re-

spect for the work and worth of our reporters, is there

anyone here who has turned back to reread any of the

contributions that have appeared in any of our dailies

during the year that is hurrying to a close?

The finest piece of reporting that ever came from

the pen of Claude Meeker was inspired by a political

attachment, and a personal affection that is perhaps

without an equal in the history of the State. Among

the aspirants for political honors that came under his

observation during the years of his apprenticeship, he

was attracted most strongly to a young captain of De-

mocracy, whose brilliant and repeated victories in an

adjoining county evidenced the highest qualities of po-

litical leadership. In acquainting his readers with the

merits and achievements of this man, and his unusual

abilities as a campaigner, he asserted over and over

again that if he were given the nomination, he would be

the next Governor of Ohio. And so it happened that

largely through the efforts of Claude Meeker, James E.

Campbell was named by his party in the fall of 1889 to

oppose Governor Joseph B. Foraker, who was seeking

reelection.

Of the many campaigns that have engaged the at-

tention of the voters of the State since the Civil War,

none was more spirited, nor is remembered with such

vividness as that waged by those two able and distin-

guished men. With an enthusiasm and a loyalty that

increased as the contest waged, Meeker followed his

gallant leader about the State, and described in glowing

terms the ovations that he everywhere received. The

• 5
 

596      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

effectiveness of Campbell's speech suffered at no time

from the resourcefulness of Meeker's pen. All that he

had done to bring about his nomination was common-

place to what he did towards insuring his election. He

capitalized every incident that inured to the benefit of

his candidate, and rejoiced in it all like the proverbial

strong man. With the skill of a Belasco, he staged

every scene, setting and appearance, to the advantage

of the leading man. His copy fairly blazed, yesterday

with wrath, invective and indignation at the efforts of

the opposition, and today with delight and exultation

at their discomfiture and defeat. Nothing more expres-

sive or praiseworthy of his efforts in this remarkable

contest can be said, than that he was scarcely less re-

sourceful, effective, untiring and successful than was

the man for whom he so valiantly fought.

If you would know Claude Meeker, the correspond-

ent, at his best, turn back the pages of the Enquirer and

read this stirring chapter of political history as he re-

ported it.

Beautiful and intimate as was the relationship that

existed for years between James E. Campbell and Claude

Meeker, I do not believe I am presuming upon the pro-

prieties in stating to the members of this Club that I

should be surprised, as they wander through the Elysian

Fields, and their thoughts revert to the things of this

world (assuming that they do so), if they did not regard

this experience as a bit more pleasurable and delightful

than any in which they participated.

The crowning work of the inauguration offered him

the opportunity of following and furthering the for-

tunes of his chief. As the trusted friend, counsellor

• 6
 

Claude Meeker               597

and confidante of Governor Campbell, he contributed

gladly and generously each day of his term to the suc-

cess of the administration, which is remembered and

rated as one of the outstanding administrations in the

history of the State. Their retirement from the official

position which they had graced and honored, was re-

gretted, perhaps, by none of their immediate associates

more keenly than by the genial and gifted gentleman

who, in validating the various documents that came to

him for authentication from the Executive Office, signed

the same, "Daniel J. Ryan, Secretary of State."

Another presidential contest was at hand. Meeker's

contacts and acquaintances with the leaders and issues

of the party brought his comment and copy again into

prominence through the columns of the New York

World, St. Louis Republic, Chicago Tribune, Washing-

ton Post and the Times Star. He advocated the re-

nomination, and predicted the election, of Grover Cleve-

land, basing his opinion upon facts and information ob-

tained by him from farmers, miners and shopmen rather

than from the preferences of the politicians. You will

recall, I am certain, that chapter of unwritten history,

which he related to us one evening, of the important part

that Governor Campbell had in bringing about this re-

sult. It was a fitting and proper acknowledgment on the

part of President Cleveland, therefore, of the support

he had received at the hands of these two admirers,

when he announced the appointment of Claude Meeker

as consul at Bradford, England.

This Yorkshire town, surrounded by a wealth of

historic associations, was the greatest wool and woolen

manufacturing center in the world, and at the time,

• 7
 

598      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

one of the largest of the American consulates. During

the four years that he occupied this position, Mr. Meeker

made a careful study of trade conditions, tariffs, labor

problems, etc., and his reports and opinions were widely

quoted and commented upon in both countries.

But Meeker, the consul, was at the same time

Meeker, the savant, and the reporter throughout the

course of those four delightful years, kept company

with the trade expert. With the rival contenders of the

Houses of York and Lancaster, and with Robin Hood

and his Merry Men, he tramped the fields and fa-

miliarized himself with the scenes of their encounters

and adventures. He visited the homes of Wordsworth,

Coleridge and Ruskin, and reviewed his studies of politi-

cal economy in the shires and among the electorate that

answered to the powerful and persuasive eloquence of

John Bright and Richard Cobden. He lingered with

delight among the hills that Turner had glorified with

his brush, and surveyed with reverential awe the Cathe-

dral of York, as he reviewed the great processions of

history that had passed that way. But he was attracted

particularly to the village of Haworth and the life-story

and 'the Home of the Brontes." With characteristic

thoughtfulness and consideration, he shared with us the

pleasure of this study, as interesting and beautiful a

piece of composition as this Club has known.

On his retiring from this service, one of the leading

English papers, among other things, said:

Never has Bradford had the advantages of a better consul,

who has ingratiated himself into the esteem and respect of all

with whom he has come in contact, and has dealt with the im-

portant work of the consulate in a masterly style. He has never

allowed the interests of the state to suffer, and both in and out

• 8
 

Claude Meeker                599

 

of season, has kept his country in the foreground, while he has

ever been ready to participate in any movement which has had

for its object the cementing of the brotherhood between the

English people and the American.

An American always, in the sense that would have

gladdened the heart of Webster, this experience and

acquaintance, during these four years abroad, impressed

him deeply with the desirability and necessity of a close,

permanent union between the English-speaking peoples

of the world. As with Tennyson, it was with him a

case of "all hands round," and in that day of storm and

stress when "war's rude blast again had blown" and our

broadsides roared with those of the mother country

against the tyrant powers, no one evidenced more clearly

than he, his faith in the ultimate triumph of the prin-

ciples of free government for which the Anglo-Saxon

has ever battled.

Claude Meeker possessed and enjoyed an abundance

of the things of this world, but his richest possessions

were not listed on the Board. His interest in the market

was always subordinate to his concern for his fellow-

man. His sympathies were as democratic as his manner,

and his sense of social obligation, as acute as his honor

was bright.

He helped other people at all times without regard

to place, rank, color or creed. Of his contributions to

the many civic, social and welfare agencies of the city,

the members of all such organizations well know.

Of the larger and finer contributions that found ex-

pression in personal service, as quiet and unostentatious

as they were generous and helpful, only the beneficiaries

of his thoughtfulness and his God can ever know.

• 9
 

600     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

He was community-minded. He was proud of his

city. He loved his neighbor. He was devoted to his

friends. "He was so unselfish, gracious, thoughtful and

kind," as Governor Cox said, "that he exalted the thing

we too casually call friendship."  He found good in

everything and was always of good cheer,--a kind-

hearted, courteous, high-minded, cultured gentleman, the

like of which we shall not look upon again soon.

 

CLAUDE MEEKER

AS MEMBER OF THE KIT-KAT CLUB, AND THE

OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 

BY C. B. GALBREATH

 

Claude Meeker became a member of the Kit-Kat

Club in 1914. He was then approaching the close of his

fifty-third year in good health in the full possession of

his powers, physical and intellectual. Richly dowered

by nature and developed by arduous but pleasant and

profitable experience, he had attained an enviable sta-

tion in the social and business world. Happily married

and the father of one son and two daughters, he could

look forward with assurance to the years stretching

peacefully into the future. A long and active service

in the field of journalism--a profession which sharpens

the wits, leads to facility in expression and continually

invites to contact with the world's substantial literature--

he represented at this time, in personality and attain-

ments, the qualities that made him a delightful asso-

ciate and an ideal member of this organization.

• 10