The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-02-16
PUBLISHED BY REouEsT
Country Newspapers and Country Editors.

the most difficult undertakings imaginable II
is harder work to we'll edit fiSst-rate local
country newspaper than to edit daily in 8
large city, and requires more versatility of tai
ent. The country editor is peculiar institu-
ton. He has an arduous time of it. If his
paper is worth a farthing he must make it So
by work. 1t will not do for him to sit down
with pile of exchanges beside him or in his
lap, and with pair of shears, cut out this sto
ry, that piece of poetry, this bit of war news,
that case of MURDER this terrible railway acci-
cident, and this piece of personal abuse COLI
cerning some political opponent-to make up
paper. 1t will not do for him to rely upon the
scissors alone to furnish copy by the column,
half-column, third-column, stickful, as the case
may be, with no other idea than to have it easy
for the foreman to make up the paper.
The country editor who makes good paper
does it by labor and application. He carefully
reads the exchanges. Keeps himself posted as
to what is going on. He must know something
of politics, finances, religion, commerce, agri-
culture, mechanics fine arts, science, medicine,
fashions and local gossip.
He must know everything, from the forma-
tion of Grants Cabinet to the most improved
method of cleaning pigs feet.
He must be able to write understandingly on
the tariff, specie payment, the art of curing
sick horses, the best lubricating material for
wagons, the cost and profit of raising this or
that breed of hens, ducks, pigs, sheep, cattle
and horses.
And all this he must acquire by study, by
experience, by inquiry. He must know what
is going on in this part of town and that. He
must know which farmer is making money
and which not. When farmer erects hand
some barn or dwelling-house he is worthy OF
mention, for he has accomplished something,
and dotted an improvement where one did not
before exist. The country editor must know
of all these improvements, and mention them
that others may be encouraged to do likewise.
He must be posted as regards the general
health of his immediate vicinity; must know
who the best physicians are, and, in case OF
death must recommend an undertaken. He
must know who brings in new goods and
whether they are to be sold cheap or not. He
is expected to attend all the funerals and to
mourn with those who mourn. He must attend
all the weddings-at least it is expected that
he will write a puff for the parties married,
and give them good scnd-off through the pa
per, no matter whether he was invited to the
feast, been presented with piece OF cake, or
| paid for the time consumed in writing or space
taken in his paper.
He must attend church each Sunday, or he
will not be popular with the religious part OF
the community Hc must, also, travel around
with the "boys," gossip, and exchange few
lies" with those who know everything about
their ncighbors' business, or he will have the
reputation of being stuck up" and then he
will lose influence with those whose votes will
count against him or his party.
He must present to his readers q variety a
little prose and little poetry something that
is humorous, and something sentimental. He
must be ugly, kind, polite, bitter, pleasant
everything by turns and nothing long-or the
readers of the paper will say there is same
ness to it. If he confines himself to one thing
they will say he is an old fogy, and has no am
bition. If he writes of many things he has
no consistency, and has no other desire than to
make money and cater to depraved taste.
The country editor must do much besides
edit. 1t is expected that he will make speecl :
es at fairs, flag presentations, opening of new
school-houses ct cetera, ct cctera. He must
attend the Sabbath-school celebrations, and
talk sweetly to the children. If there is a tea
party of old women or gossiping wives, it is
not expected that he will attend, but he must
expect to be added from end to end, till there
is not so much of his private life or character
that you could put in a teaspoon, left untouch-
ed or unscattcred.
He must visit all the machine shops and
prominent enterprises. He must write putfs
for every store, grocery, shoe-shop, oyster-sa-
loon, &C., in such manner that the proprietor
of each will think his finer puff than his
neighbors. If he stays in the Office all the
time he will know nothing of what is going on
outside If he runs about town and is not in
the office, people will say that he is shiftless
If he spends all his time i'll reading, cannot
become conversant with what is going on in
the neighborhood.
If he devotes much time to local matters it
is not expected that he will be posted as re-
CARDS national affairs or things far-reaching
outside of his sanctum.
He must see that his paper goes to press at
certain time, and that it is filled. He must see
to the collection of money and paying out of
the same, must pay for his blank paper, his
employees, rent, and household expenses. If
he dresses we'll, people will say that he is ma
king money, and refuse to pay their subscrip-
tions; for, as a general thing, people do not
like to see others getting along in the world.
IF he does not dress we'll, the community at
once says he is a poor, shabby devil, unable to
suppert himsef-therefore unable to advise
others. :.
It is expected that he will puff every candi-
date for office, publish everything good con-
corning him and keep back everything that is
bad. In this respect he must make black
white and white black, stopping not to consider
the wear and tear upon his conscience or to
think that so soon as the man whose character
needs so much bolstering shall be elected, the
editor will be turned upon, forgotten or abused.
He must work for his party. If his party in
his Immediate locality nominates q thief it is
the duty of the editor to say that the aforesaid
thief is an honest man.
When comes election time it is expected that
he will write the calls for the primary CAUCUS
es then instruct the county committee when
to call their convention, write the notice for
the same, give publicity thereto for nothing,
and, when comes the day, be sure to attend as
delegate. If he goes as delegate, politi-
| :: L.. ,a;nr, hnrhnnd ,uill he vary nnt to