The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-05-15
How a Newspaper is got up.
Kennebunkport.

We have wondered what proportion of
tho reading world ever takes into cons.dsra
ton the expenditure Of toll, Of brains and OF
money necessary to produce newspaper
Aud then again, 10 narrow tho question,
how many OF those who do consider the mat
ter, care anything at all about il? We be-
lieve that there are some who do care, even
though they may not be particularly sensi-
tive ON the score Of cost, 80 long as thes
have but very small portion OF il to bear
and not atall anxious concerning the trouble,
~ long rs il involves no greater perplexity
10 them than eleyatins their heels and open
ing the damp pages-and not at all distress.
cd concerning the labor. 50 long rs they are
not the CALLED jade. We repeat that We DO.
lieye that there arc many who do not care,
but only as matter oicuriosity they have
a natural desire 10 understand the nlodus
OptrdRdi-to be enlightened Us to how the
apple got into the heart of the dumping.
To that inquiring class Of readers we I'D.
dress ourselves.
Tho editors Of the journal have to bcstir
themselves betimcs OF get most wofully in
the drag. 1T an hour when most business
men ara discussing the propriety of getting
out Of the comfortable beds, the editor must
lie ut his post arranging the business of the
day; directing "the scissors" of the estab-
lishment rs to how far he can DO permitted
TO exercise the sheers upon the exchanges
which are brought in by scores from the
Post OHicc. and all OF which must DO over
hauled. lest some stray "chip" of interest
escape. The assistant who rejoices in the
name of''sciSsOrs" is an expert at his business
from long practice. He knows exactly what
papers in the different sections OF the coun-
try generally contain the most important
items, aud will scan the contents Of a sheet
before one unaccustOmed to tho work will
have got through with reading its title
Scissors like everybody else about the
editorial department. must have the most
wonderful powers of expansion and conden-
satiOn. Crowded today" muttered by
the chief of the sanctum u sufficient hint
10 all hands, and il il marvellous 10 behold
how. under the inspiration Of these three
magic words, long stories become condensed
into paragraphs, and how short paragraphs
are sinmered down into mere lines. Under
their inspiration an experienced wielder OF
the SCISSORS will do for wheelbarrow load
exchanges. what the distiler OF perfumes
will do for bushel of rose leaves TO wit
c0ndense their essence to very limited space |
When there il no particular pressure on
the columns. and room il more plentiful. |
Scissors" is allowed 10 expand, and he |
even becomes funny or pathetic by turns in
cooking up his items.
Meanwhile the editors are no. idle arti-
clcs have to bc written upon the spur of the |
moment upon exciting topics Of the day {: |
political events lave tn DO discussed, the
chances DIVA or peace must bo trested Of,
and the revolution in trade, and the money
market must be handled practically and
scientifically. All these doinss must be done
correctly and well, for woe betide the editor
who is guilty Of historical anachronism,
who misstates date, or misspells name.
Ii is n excuse for him 10 tell ais readers
who criticisc az their leisure wha, has been
written by him in n driving hurry, and
amid the most dis;racting Interruptions It
Is no excuse to the reader TO urge the short
ness of time, the impoSsihility Of consulting
authorities, &C.. no excuse will 20 taken,
for the editor Is expected TO know every
thing by instinct, and he has no right not
% know every thing. Editors too, must
have singular and diverse qualities Of diiiuse-
ness and conccntrativeness. An elitor
must be able TO 20 right through with an
important article without stopping to take
breath, or to weisha sentencc, and despite
hundred things calculated to distract his
attention from hrs work; or upon the other
hand. he must drop profound article upon
the Tariff, or upon Congressional corruption,
or upon whatever topic you please, twenty
different times, 10 listen to Us many different
people. One visitor will have complaint
TO make against the new police. and he wants
the editor To "pitch in to that department.:
that visitor dispo.ed Of, and before tho poor
scribbler can again resume discussion or pro-
lection Tor iron, some gentleman walks in
with mammoth squash, which he particu.
larry desires to have noticed the squash
disposed OF. and the iron interests r,ramed.
u special call is made for tho editor in the
front olhce, where a gentleman IL wait,n. 70
solicit that the paper will give some railroad
company scoring to crafty bin, while
the proprietors oil the paper bear the odium,
and take the risk of an attack prompte5 INV
private feelings. All thesc. and a do,en
Other annoyanccs, must be borne with patient.
IL, aud the luekless editor mus, turn FROM
patent backing, big squashes, railroad
abuses. the police, and tho best mode of
peel,ng potatoes, 10 take up his disposition
on the tariff. and have the article in hand in
time to get it out in the afternoon edition.
AS we before siid, VIZ betido the writer IL
date is misstatcd. or q name mispelt, or i'll
in the slightest particular the article is in
consistent with an article Published in the
sime paper years agoLe. .......
There are many other things TO think Of
while this work IL going on tho principal 4