Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-12-21
COUNTRY NEWSPAPERS AND
COUNTRY EDITORS.

To well edit a country newspaper is
one of the most difficult undertakings
imaginable. II is harder work TO well
edit frstrate local country nowspa-
per than TO edit a daily, in large
city, and requires more versatility OF
talent. The country editor is a pc.
cular institution. lie has an arduous
time of IT, Ii his paper is worth a
farthng, ho must make it SO by work.
II will not do for him to sit down
with pile Of exchanges beside him
or in his lap and, with pair ofshears,
cnt out this story, that piece of poe
try, this bit of war news, that case OF
murder, this terrible railway accident,
and this piece ofpersonal abuse con
corning some political opponent-to
make up the variety usually found in
country newspapers. 1t will bot do
for him to rely upon the scissors
alone to furnish copy by the column,
half column, third-coiumn, or stick
ful, as the case may be, with no other
idea than to have il easy for the fore
man TO make up the paper.
The country editor who makes q
good paper does il by labor and ap
pication lie carefully reads the ex
changes. He keeps himself posted as
to what is going on. He must know
something Of politics, finances, reli'
gion, commerce, agriculture, mechan
les, fine arts, science, medicine, fash
ions, and local gossip.
lie must know everything from The
formation Of Grants Cabinet to The
most improved method of cleaning
pigs feet.
lie must be able TO write under
standngly on the tariff, specie pay
ment, the art Of curing sick horses
the best lubricating material for wag
ons, the cost and profit Of raising thii
or that breed of hens, ducks, pigs
sheep, cattle, and horses.
Aud all this he must acquire by
study, by experience, by inquiry. II,
must know what is going on in thii
part of the town and that He mus
know which farmer is making money
and which is not When a farmer
orects handsome barn or dwelling
house he is worthy of mention, for h'
has accomplished something, aud dot
ed an improvement where one be
fore did no, exist The country edi
tor must know of all these improve
ments, and mention them, that othen
many be encouraged TO DO likewise
lie must be posted as regards thu
general health Of bis immediate vicin
! ity; must know who the best phys
irians are, and, in case OF death, mus
recommend an undertaken He mus
know who brings in new goods an'
whether they are to be sold cheap o
not lie is expected to attend all th,
funerals and TO mourn with those whl
mourn. He must attend all the wed
dings-at least it is expected that b
will write a puff for the parties mar
ried. and give them a good send.ol
through the paper, no matter wholhe
he was invited to the feast, been pre-
sented with a piece Of cake, or pai
for the time consumed in writing o
| space taken in his paper
] llomust attend church each Sunda
or he will not be popular with the r,
ligiols portion Of the community ii
must, also. travel around little wit
| the "boys,p gossip, aud "oxchangc
few lies with those who know every
thing about their ncighbor's busines.
or he viii have the reputation Of bcin
stuck up, and thea be will lose ir
fluonco with those whose votes vi
count against him or his party
lie must present his readers
variety; little prose and a it'll
poetry something that is humorouN
and something sentimental lie mu'
be ugly, kind, polite, bitter, pleasan
everything by turns and nothing lons
or tho readers OF the paper will sa
there is n samenoss 10 il. Ii he COZ
: fines himself to one thing they wi
say he is an old fogy, and has no an
/ bition. III he writes of many thin.
be has no consistency. and has 3
! other desire than TO make money au
cater TO a depraved taste.
The country editor must DO muc