Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-06-20

ing, or why it is not equally a dis
grace to the intelligent newspaper
as to the political party. Neither
the newspaper, nor the statesman,
should be the slave Of party; and
the very fact of acknowledged alle-
glance gives the right of dissent to
what is not approved, or Of doubtful
expcdicncy. But the "independcnt"
newspaper wears more calling
yoke, being ever exposed to the
temptation of parting with its honor
for gain, or of trimming to catch
the current of the popular breeze,
or subjected to the suspicion of
shielding the side which has its Sc
cret sympathy. 1t is hardly posi-
bic that republican government can
gain from the multiplication of such
organs of opinion, or that they will
tend TO elevate the tone, or strength
en- the influence, Of the press. Who
among editors was the peer, or
among Americans the superior, OF
Horace Greeley? Unequalled as an
instructor, he gained the ear of his
countrymen by his fidelity to princi-
pie, and his slcdge-hammer blows
in behalf of his party. Imagine the
Philosopher of the Tribune attempt
ing to avoid praising one political
organization or condemning another
-smothering his Indignation here,
or stinting his words Of praise there,
from motives Of expediency-uncer-
tain as to which way his influence
would be cast in contest for the
Presidency-aud how quickly the
grand proportions of his personal
greatness shrink and grow con-
temptiblc by robbing him of the
qualities for which he was most
loved and admired! No, while par
ties are essential to our form of gov
ernment, and every citizen has a
voice, that newspaper will be most
"indcpendent" which is honestly
identified with some organization,
but it is not controlled in the inter-
est Of any clique, nor a blind adher-
ent of either men or measures.
In the successful conduct of a
press, tact is quite as essential as
talent. The zeal of the tyro always
over-leaps his Judgment. He
makes a merit of committing him.
self utterly, and in extravagant Ian
guage, on every theme that arises.
He can hardly write puff, or allude
to local event, without "putting
his foot in it, But the judicious
editor weighs every sentence, every
form Of expression, every opinion,
the propriety of every a!lusion to
individuals, and the. applicability
of every argument. He discrimin-
ates closely the meaning of words,
even the shades OF difference, be-
cause necessary to the completeness
of his work-just rs the painters
finishing touches stamp the true
artist over the uncultured daub.
The practice of this prudence and
discrimination insensibly improves,
lifting the worker up to higher
plano, and will be found valuable
element in rectifying the tone and
raising the standard Of country
journalism.
Bat the chief reliance Of the local
press against foreign competition
the citadel which foreign enterprise
cannot carry-is the local depart
meut. This should be filled so as
to give pleasure. to attract interest,
to make the paper sought for and
the hour of issue anticipated-in
short, to make the local journal
necessity in every family through
out the regiou where it is printed.
If to this attractive feature be added
the other commanding qualities for
which have contended, will not
it's triumph be more assured? In
stead Of being displaced by foreign
competition, will it not drive its
more imposing rival from many a
household?
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The other conditions of success
relate to mechanical execution and
business management. A handsome
local paper is ever local pride.
People are more critical on this
point than they used to be. The
little, dingy, seven-by-nines must
give place to clean, well-fillcd sheets.
Type, and press, and rollers, must
all be in good OF der, and artistically
handled. The printing office, too,
must share in the Improvement.
Formerly, the village paper was
too often issued from diminutiye
den distinguished for nothing SO
much as neglect of the broom
newspapers and roller-wipings
scattered about the foor-rough
stones tottering upon crazy frames
the EDITORS table in close prox-
unity to the washingtrough and
saw dust box,-and the editor him
self, with type-marks on one side Of
his mouth, and perhaps tobacco
spittle running from the other, al
ternately performing all the duties
of the situation from devil upwards!
Do not understand me as intending
to ridiculc small beginnings, or as
intimating that any work in the
printing office is beneath the dignity
of the editor. Far from it. l am
only protesting agaist dirt and con-
fusion. But of course there is moth
ing of that kind to be seen now!
The printing office to-day should be
a model of neatness and order. 1t
should be roomy, airy, clean-a
place where u gentleman or a lady
would feel it pleasure to go, and
where the surroundings would Sc
licit respect for the proprietor.
Pictures and paintings adorning
the walls arc not bad accompani-
ments, and have happy influence
upon printer and patron. The busi-
ness of the Office should be done
Systematically, by the keeping Of a
day-book and ledger, job book and
cash book-and collections made
and debts paid, with scrupulous
punctuality. Perhaps no branch of
business has been so shiftlessly
handled, and so pooly paid, as print