Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-14
THE LOCAL EDITOR.

The writer of 60 Fact and Fancy in the Lou
isvllle Democrat finds fact TO tickle his fancy
IN the life Of q "lOcsl editor" He gives the
following picture which tce have the candor to
admit Is not as deficient in high coIoring as it
might be. The local editor" he saws is a
curious fellow. Almost unknown to the peo-
PIE oy name and appearance, he mingles with
them on nearly all occasions. Principal edi-
Tors only are considered when r newspaper is
mentioned; while at the same time, perhaps,
not one reader in fifty will do more than read
the title Of the leader by hs editor, and turn
immediately to the local columns. There all
expect TO find what is going on around them.
and, If they find it nOt-thrOw the paper aside
Rs worthless. This one turns to the police re-
cord to find q new item-that one to see if snv
one has been shot, or stabbed or drowned. or
has committed suicide. The play -yoer looks to
see what Is said about the play last night, or
the opera; the actor TO see if he is properly
pulled; the musician to know il he sang that
solo IN good voice, and with proper mOdulation;
the merchant to see how goes the market:
the thief and cut-throat TO know if the
police are about; the policeman to know if the
reporter was observing him when he neglected
or transcribed his duty; the doctor wants 70
known if the cholera has made its appearances
and what are Its rayages the lawyer. to find a
plea to bring action for libel or SANDER the
judge, to know whether his last decision is ap-
proved by the people; and even the minister, to
gather partially practical knowledge of the
world wlckedness, that he may know what
lessons he should teach. Whoever wishes to be
amused or entertained without going to much
trouble, reads; and it is noticeable fact that
each and every one reads the local editors
page. Why, even the politician reads it, or he
couldn't have facts and arguments for his next
speech. Talk about the editOr-the princip1l
editor Why, the local is the principal; nine
out OF every ten readers look over his page of
md vat ha ia tha
easiest soul in all the world; hasn't the least
idea he Is of 30 much Importance; wouldn't be-
leve you II You told him so. There are some
people in this world who consider the local n
nobody; and yet they couldn't eat their break
fasts until they had read what he has to say
There are some who pity the . poor local"
no has so much to do, and gets so little thanks
for what he does. He is good-natured fellow:
II ne wasn't he wouldn't have 50 many friends.
and he counts them by the hundred, even If
they don't know him by sight Rogues are
afraid of him, and bad men cover in his pres
ence; even the police look unusually alert when
they see him coming 50 he is feared as well a.
beloved He is hard-working fellow. He
rises early; goes to the Office and to work. walks
TO the river among the boats; then to the courts
among the criminals, lawyers and Judges; he
goes up street and then down; goes East and
West, North aud South, and when he is tired
returns to the Ofice and writes out the news of
.ho HoAhtAH willie IestinS nlmseH- And then
he goes again, and 50 passes the day before he
Is aware of il. Night comes on, and his work
IL still unfinished. When the short hours of the
night come on, he goes home to rise to the same
variety and variable regularity the next day
The local editor is happy fellow, or ought to
be-snd why nOt' He meddles not in politics,
and Of course is not excited; he visits all the
amusements; Is invited to every feast; and no
reunion IS complete in his absence He is as
prolific of literature Dumas, and sends the
results Of his labors and researches to the world
untrammeled by copyright and untitled as to
authorship. If he has no local habitation''
or name" the fault is none of his-and may
be attributed to the high rates of real estate and
the lack Of appreciation on the part Of the world