The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-11-01
To Newspaper Contributors.

To Newspaper Contributors.
+" A word to the wise is sufficient a
good many words to the ignorant are often
Of no avail. Yet even with this thought be-
fore us, and with "A vivid recollection thatpret-
ty much such lecture as we are going to-
read, was once delivered to our Caro- Del
Ia contributors without avail, we proceed to
address aspiranis generally to newspaper
fame, conceiving that the wiser portion will
allow our word to suffice, and that even those
who are only wise in their own conceit, may
be somewhat benefited. Our words are those
Of experience, if not of wisdom, in speaking
Of newspapers, aud all classes Of society con-
nected Herewith.
An editor is often more troubled in pleas
ing his contributors than the readers of his
paper. For his own reasons, he is often call
ed upon to refuse even well written con'ri-
buttons. He does not properly know his own
business, or has not the moral courage to be
guided by the dictates of his Judgment if he
publish any article calculated TO njure his
ject to please. However confident a contri-
butor may feel, that his production is worthy
place in the columns OF a certain paper,
from its own peculiar merits, and its suppos-
ed favorable comparison with the mass OF
communications, yet the writer has no right
to question the judgment Of the Editor in de-
clining to publish the article, at least till af-
ter explanation. Every editor has or should
have his certain policy, from which friend
nor enemy should urge him to swerve. Be-
fore this policy, contributors should fall, if il
needs must be for It's preservation.
There are two presumptive facts which
should always be Observation-Disclosures, tina
the editor from his situation as conductor o
Q press of good standing, is naturally con
!, ceived qualified for his position, and thus ca
pable Of deciding upon the merits ofthat pre-
sented him for publication in his paper; sec
ondly, young writer's invariably have a high
er opinion than the public of their own writ
ings; therefore, it follows, if an editor do re
fuse a certain contribution, it is most proba
BILE he does SO on good and just grounds
iss Yet too frequently, the most unreasonabl
4 motives are imputed TO him, solely becaus
= the vanity Of the writer will not permit hir
TO recognize defects in his cwn lucubrationl
We offer the following .s...
gf.,-,q r,a, ADVICE
To newspaper contributors, that they ma
6 he spared the rebuke Of refusal oftheir a
- ticles, and Editors from the disagreeable tas
- Of inficting it: rA
,.sslsl st If you have nothing to write abou
don't write. aoagui atas .,iu HHTs7 ~.
I'd. When you do write, have certain o.
ject in visw-either TO please or instruct b.
never to combat commonly received facts
opinions, or TO oppose certain persons.
Sd. After the article is finished, revise
carefully, or rewrite punctuate, capitaIz
dot every and cross every t, so that if Il
subject matter and language suit, the Edit
can hand it to his printer without the labor
correction.
4th. Never tell an editor he is at liberty
makewhat corrections he please, as you wro
the article hastily. Never do anything hai
lily, especially acrite. Gen. Scott got in
deuce Of muss merely for taking "a has
plate Of SOUP" An editor has the rig
without especial grant, to correct every col
muncaton he publishes. He will never a
NIT the excuse on the part of a voluntary CT
respondent OF swami Of time 10 write pre-
erly: because if you have not more leisure
produce than he to correct, the public has
demand upon your pen either for amuss me
or instruction.
5th.-Finally the article has be
rewritten, corrected and revised, fold it
neatly, direct it legIbly, mark it paid, a
then-pitch it in the fire, unless you can gi
with it your real name, aud feel you woi
not be ashamed TO hear it identified with I
article.
Mn. FILLMoRE.-None of the articles