Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-04-06
Journalism i'm America.

In the Galaxy for April, Mr. L. j Jen-
nlngs makes Mavericks book the text for q
very interesting article upon the late Henry
j. Raymond. In view of the fact that Mr.
j. was an American correspondent of the
London Times and journalist of high
rank on the staff of that paper and of the
Pail Mall Gazette, the following compaii-
son between the press of the two countries
will be read with interest:
The result of leaving newspapers to man
age themselves in this country is that they
are, as rule, more enterprising than En-
glish newspapers. More money, for in-
stance, Is here spent in single day for
news than a London daily wonld pay in a
week. 1t is nothing unusual to see q
whole page of telegraphic news in New
York morning journal. Atlantic cable
messages OF column or two in length are
as common as a police report. When a
message of the same kind appeared lately
IN London paper, people were struck with
amazement, and the rest of the journals
Frustrated themselves in dust and ashes
From three to five columns of Congress
slonal debates are telegraphed 10 New York
every night during the session.
1t may be doubted whether the general
staff of a London newspaper, with per-
haps single exception, is better paid than
a staff OF corresponding numbers in New
York. A few writers here and there may
receive higher rate of remuneration, es-
pecially in the case of the exception to
which | refer. But put all expenses to-
gether, and the New York paper will be
found to cost the most in its production
IN London receive, have under
stood, from 92 to e4 week. Men could
not be got to do the same kind of work
here for corresponding price. The New
York dallles pay more for editorial articles
than their London contemporaries, always
excluding one paper from the comparison.
Again, the chief editors in this country are
generally part proprietors, and have their
shares given them, or at least acquire them
on easy terms. Besides considerations OF
this kind, there are other circumstances
which must tend to render jour
nalism the greatest of all profess
sjons in this country. The
people, young and old, rich and poor, read
newspapers. The journalist is aware that
he is addressing an audience at least fairly
familiar with the questions of the day. and
knowing the history of their country thor
oughly. The subject upon which he has
to write are of wide range and vast impor-
tance. There are thirty-seven systems of
government for him to study and watch
New questions are constantly arising in
every state, and all are different in char
acter, and have to be approached from
different standpoints. To fit himself for
the discussion of the multitorm problems
which are daily offering themselves may
perhaps be beyond the powers OF any one
man; but it must be granted that the am
bition to do it ought to become grand
object of life. The day will arrive when
American journalism will attract to it the
service of the finest intellects in the coun-
try. The discipline which English jour
nalists pass through may be of q seyerer
kind than is universal here; but that merely
arises from the fact that an editor in London
who wants a good article can put his finger
at any moment on dozen men capable of
writing it. Hence q high standard has been
formed, and lazy work is thrown back on
the worknan's hands