Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-06-04
TNe edIseslal ~convsntlou.

resolution tossahc effect that the
editorial staff Of Missouri, as there
represented, have resolved to advo.
cato tho claims OF no maj to oflce
~i,houtpay for thoir labor in so;doine
Wo suppose itsls meant that tho
candidates or their friends shall
pay for whatever labor tho editors
may perform In thets behalf.
In our opinion this action is mos,
ropechensiblo, and tho principle cnun,
GIFTED Almost pcrnicious one. Indeed,
as We seriously consider IL, ourindig'
nation exceeds tho limits of cxprcs,
sion. Charity leads us to believe TINT
this action was had without duo cor
%sideratiou neutrality-suspicious. ofthc
relation Of an editor to the subscribe
crs of his paper. Any other suppo-
sitton would mako the supporters OF
such a measure qPpear mon of doubt
full honesty, to cay tho least of 1t, and
brazen In tho publication Of their
moral turpitudc.
1. Tho actual value Of the material,
presses, type, &C., in ON Office bears
but a small ratio to the real value OF
a newspaper. This depends prc-emi-
ncntly upon tho number and cha rae
ter of It's Subscribers. They + the
basis Of all calculations of value.
AS thoy increase in number, the moro
eagerly it Is sought as a medium Of
advertisement. and the highenare tho
rates. To them the editor owes his
first duty. A subscriber takes a paper
for the news to DO found in its col
umns, aud on account Of tho conf
dcnco he has in the honesty aud
ability of its management. An i'm
piled contract exists between tho cd
itor and every subscriber, that he
shall devote q reasonable share of his
time and abilities to the study and
investigation of the questions and
topics of the day, and give the results
of his labor in tho editorial columns
Of his paper. In no question arc the
subscribers more interested than inthe
election of proper officers of govern
mcnt, and that they be chosen simply
on their merits, without favoriiism
or the influence of money. The ed
itor Is not responsible for the truth
fulness of matter which appears in
the advertising department Of the
paper; SO long as nothing appears
therein iWmoral, indecent or Of per-
nicious influence, he is held blamolcss.
Tho public knows that advertise
ments are the productions of vendors
crying their " wares the news
items arc given with their authority
for what they are worth; but for tho
editorials the editor is held strictly
responsible. They are supposed to
contain his honest opinions upon q
careful investigation Of tho merits of
the subjects of discussion. They
cease to be ofany value, or entitled to
any confidence, when they arc
influenced in any manner by pecu-
mary considerations. The subscri-
bcrs have a right to demand of the ed
tor that he shall do his duty in ovcry
particular. Personal journalism has
grown to be one of the great evils OF
he day. Mel enter into the newspaper
business and publish cratic and SEN
tional papers with no iuca Of rcspon-
'ibility, no principle ofaction, but the
of their individual fortunes /;
but even these have always heretofore
claimed to have kept this IL depart
.ent independent and above the
reach of corruption. Take away
last flavor of honesty, and they
become q very stencil in the land, and
are tit for nothing but to DO cast out
and troddcn undertook.
We are accustomed to call the press
of the great dcfcnccs of the liber-
ties Of the people, and editors senti-
lcls upon the watchtowers., Placed
II all advantageous position for OBJ
serving all that is transpiring in the
country, with superior means of in
it is their duty to advise
time to time upon the sit
nation, and give warning of coming
'r impending danger. There is 10
lime so dangerous as during all cleo
canvass, and one of the
evils of the day is the use of
money in securing the nominations
ND elections to Office. When they arc
by reward in this behalf,
betray their trust, sell their
'onor, and trade upon the confidence
# the people. |,
We have time and again heard the
ophistry by which 1t is sought to
Justify such conduct. 1t is, that the
have resolved to support none
tic best of men for Office, but ;
hat these shall pay for the labor per- /
ormed in their behalf. Nc good man t
'ill ever pay or agree to pay any t
UGH thing. What man ofhonor and !
lodest tclf-respect would agree to 9
ave paid articles of recommendation 7
ppear in his behalf? How could he
land before the community as a solf- {
Iudator. or as ono singing ofhis own I
For a candidate to agree to L
ne terms proposed, would be q con- t
argument of his own unfit
ess for Office. Under the rule, none !.
ut q giver of brides would ever be |,
recommended for Office by the'prcss. Il
,ow unenviable is tho light in which :,
supporters Of this resolution n
ave placed themsclvesi And to think D
out of SO many editors only Ii
voted against it! Verify it will :,
OF be accounted rs an honort to have y
cell a member of such O body.
We have thug far discussed the p
nestion simply as one ofmoral ethics. a
here is another view-of the case :" !"
hich we wish to present, and that II,
a legal one. Our Legislators, ia
.ng the view of it that we have VI
top,nfc1 70 III