The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-04-24

editors now left to the profession, and they
doubtless mourn the halcyon days of the past.
But they must be sensible of the fact that the
present imposes other and more varied duties
upon the corps-editoIial-dnties which require
increased activity and energy.
The "elder Mr.. Weller" as chronicled in the
"Pickwick Papers," could not be reconciled to
the decadence of stage-coaches and the innoya-
but unreasonable view, the claim of prece-
dence is urged for that which was known in
days past as the "six-penny press" The stage
coach is the press of the past the locomotive
is the press of the present. The first fulfilled
its purpose honorably and commensurately,
and the last is now keeping pace with the rapid
march of civilization, and the popular demand
for widespread, universal education.
In Great Britain the press in Importance
and power has increased materially within the
last ten years, and, through the press contribu-
tons and other writings of such educationalists
and philanthropists as John Stuart Mill, John
Bright, Mundella, and Foster, the cause of ed
ucation has been largely advanced.
The masses in England, by the force Of
American example, are now demanding and
receiving the benefit of educational progress
heretofore denied them, and to this happy
consummation the general British press largely
contributes. AS education progresses in Great
Britain, so the demand for liberal press in
creases in the same ratio, and this must inevi-
tably be the case in all countries where free
and untrammeled press is permitted. In addi-
ton to the general and educational press in
England, as in America, the religious or secu-
lar Journals now devote attention and space to
the advancement of education, and in this es-
sential are invaluable adjuncts. But the print
ing-press and the school-house are the special
exhibits of American culture and enterprise,
exercising paramount influence in our commu-
mites, and, by example, in all the other abodes
of civilization.
It is fair, also, to claim that the press does
not materially abuse it power, privilege and
freedom. Considering its unrestricted license
and the opportunity to use it to the injury of
individuals, there are but few prosecutions for
libel in our courts. Whenever, maliciously
and fagrantly, injury is worked to individuals
or corporations through the medium of the
press the law should be swift to punish for the
benefit of the example; but the necessity for
this is happily of rare occurrence. A licen-
tious, sensational and prurient press is always
to be deprecated, and although such papers do
sometimes flourish, and obtain large circula-
tions, they are without influence, and are COM
paratively powerless to injure the fair name
and fame of any good citizen.
THE EXPENSE INCIDENT TO AMERICAN
JoURNALs.-Writers upon press statistics have
enlarged upon the expense incident to editing
and publishing the leading London journals
from which it might be inferred that infuen-
tial American jourpals are printed and main
tanned at less cost Such an impression is er-
roneous. Although it has been found imprac-
ticable to give the detailed expenses incident
to the leading American newspapers published
in our metropolii, the cost of editing and pub
fishing them is far greater than those of the
paid to journalists, embracing editors, report
ers, correspondents, and experts in the various
branches of newspaper essentials, are greater
than those disbursed anywhere in Europe.
The price of type-composition, press-work
and paper is also in excess, and so with almost
every other incident of newspaper expense
Nearly all the influential journals of the United
States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, main
tain special correspondents at the city Of Wash
ington, the national capital, and this employ
ment must necessarily be given to gentlemen
of education, culture and enterprise, well post
ed in the inner workings of our system of gov
ernment, as we'll as the machinery of national
politics. The expense thus incurred is very
great, and is exclusively feature Of American
newspaper enterprise.
During the session of Congress the detailed
transactions of all branches of the Government
are sent through out the country by telegraph,
at rates of private cost far in excess of wire
communication in Europe. Examples of
American enterprise, regardless of expense,
were commonly furnished in the publication of
ocean cable dispatches narrating at great
length the particulars of the recent Franco
Prussian war.
In closing this "paper," the contributor feels
justified in asserting that the press is the great
educator of the world, and that the main credit
of this consummation is due to the example of
energy, influence and progress of American
journalism, affecting the modern journalism of
all other countries.