The Shasta courier., 1869-05-15
Trials of Editors.

We make the following extract from an
address recently delivered before the
Iowa Press Association" on this subject:
In speaking of the revenues of the press,
| cannot refrain from expressing my views
on the subject of free advertisements
There is always to be found in every con-
siderable community set of creatures who
imagine that by some dispensation they
ought not, like other mortals, to pay for
what they receive. Editors have extraor-
dinary facilities for making their acquaint-
ance, and are kindly permitted to con-
tribute gifts to their support. In what
other branch of business would this be
tolerated Allowing that one has put
the press under some obligation, does he
not generally expect to get back more than
the worth of his services If a man does
an editor favor of marketable value,
let him have his remuneration in CASH
On the other hand, require him to pay for
what the paper does him. 1t is just as
reasonable to expect the carpenter to
shingle your house, and the tailor to make
your clothes without charge, as to expect
an editor to prepare and publish matter for
another's benefit without compensation
Lengthy obituaries, marriages ornamented
by extracts from all the poets, and length
ly putfs of some ones corner lots or i'm
provements come under this class Of adver-
tlsements. This custom of advertisements
from whatever quarter, ought to cease, for
the reason that it would be benefit to the
printers pockets, and would in some de-
gree abate an almost intolerable nuisance
The printers path has more thorns than
roses and there is no law, human or divine
that should oblige him to shoulder the
burdens of those who are too lazy or stingy
to take care of themselves People will
come to terms where they find their inter-
ests are involved in reasonable COM
pliance.
Perhaps no man is made the subject of
more abundant concern, and is watched
with more untiring vigilance than the edi-
tor of paper. Nearly every other man
seems to imagine he can edit paper better
than the editor himself. So editors are
pestered with hangers-on in the office, and
advised by incompetent mentors; are
graclously waited upon by political and
reform committees; are bored by strangers
and adventurers, and all who have even
any diminutive specimens of cutlery to
grind. L will not attempt to disturb the
present serenity of this body, which now
provldentially enjoys little respite, by re-
calling, by portraiture, the interruption,
the perplexities, the insane requests, the
abuse, the bores, the senseless criticism,
the wanton indignation that an editor is
liable to suffer, and has to expect as part
of his experience. At best his position is
a trying one. But the sooner he gives all
sorts of people to understand in most court
eous language, that he is the manager of
his own paper, the better Threats
threats to discontinue, effective descriptions
of personal interests in its success, all kinds
of gushing demonstrations may be safely
Ignored Few men in the land are COM
Portable without their paper, and the more
unfinchingly independent its course the
better they like it. No honest editor, as |
have suggested, loses anything in the long
run by his straightforward manliness and
courage. OF all despicable things, jour
nal that covers at each breath of blame,
that trims its sails for the breeze of vulgar
applause; that sacrifices its independence
for mess of pottage, is the most contempt
ible. Surely my words will find response
in every honest heart when say, +" be
master OF your own position; be lord over
your own domain be judge on the bench
of your own sanctum-the jury that de-
cides in the enlightened opinion of your
readers"