Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-05-04
A SHORT NEWSPAPER CATECHIsM

A writer more philosophical than popular,
in some periodical, recently proposed the theo-
~ of educating men for the editorial profess
sion systematically; deemng it as important
to have qualified persons in charge of the
public press, as at the bar, in the pu! pit, or
the sick room. Although The project is not
altogether practicable at this moment, still the
time may c ONE when il will he expedient
to require such preparation and with view
to aid the editorial tyro, the following manual
catpchism is submitted -
Question. What is daily newspaper
Answer. It is diurnal compendium OF
general intelligence
@. What are the principal ingredients Of
a newspaper?
A. Fancy, Fiction, and Fact.
@. How are these materials arranged
A. That portion which comes under the
head of Fancy is the editorial department,
(properly caIled.) embodying the editors va
rious favorite theories, chimerical, reformato
~, political, and otherwise, together with
cogitations upon miscellaneous subiects-all
of which are proposed as gems of public
opinion. The ingredient Fiction is that which
treats of horrible murders, dreadful confagra-
ton, terrible catastrophe, commentator of
arts, sciences, inventions, and medicines, and
general scandal, filled ont with numerous in
cidental topics of great interest o nobody -
The portion allotted TO Fact embraces the ad,
vertisements, usually with such expansive
and comprehensive ardor, as o occupy seven
eghlhs of the entire sheet
O. What is an editor:
A. An editor is an imaginary charming
supposed to preside over the general arrange
ments, and TO assume the responsibility. as
we'll rs praise or odium, of all articles not 9TH
erwise provided for.
O. What is subscriber!
A. A subscriber is party contracting with
the publishers, who is to inl in the paper
quid pro quo for his money invested.
@. What are the rights of the subscribers
A. Subscribers are entitled to receive theiI
paper regularly, and if advertisers, to have
their notices promptly published, and to pay
their bills when duly presented.
@. What other privileges do subscribers
enjoy
A. None.
Q. What others do they demand
A. Many expect, besides what they are en-
titled to, that the editor will conform himse
in all respects TO the peculiar views of eacf
Individual, no matter how diverse their senti
ments may he, and advocate with earnestnes
and force of argument, the favorite theories 0
each-in short, to sell himself, heart and soul
body and mind, to the fanaticism or idiocy o
each subscriber, for the amount per annun
technically called subscription, under peril o
stopping their paper.
@. What course do subscribers pursue II
subdue the coniumacy of editors'
A. Stop the paper.
@ What is the result of this step'
A Nothing
@. What is the usual remedy in such ca
SEES?
] A. To resume the paper and be satisfied
with it "a it is.
What is good editor
A. One who minds his own business an
expresses honest opinions.
Y. What is good subscriber
A. One who is satisfied with his own opin
ion when it does not coincide with that o
the editor.
@. What is a good newspaper?
A. One with paying circulation of tel
thousand copies-Jour of Com.