Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-05-11
CIARFsvILIE, TENN. SATURDAY MAY II. 1878.
..sort SOAP" i'm Publishing.


The theory on which some papers
are conducted is, that the public, to
be pleased, interested and entertain
ed, must be treated to soft soap, in
and out of season. 1t may be that
this course is found necessary in
view of the large and growing de-
mand from their readers for puffS.
Mere statements that M. Adams
has built new house, or that John
Spinkins is candidate for constable,
is not sufficient. 1t must read, ''The
Hon. Mr.. Adams, so long identified
with every public enterprise, will
embelish the avenue during the
coming summer, with a palatial res
/ idence of four rooms and kitchen.
| Mr.. Adams and his beautiful and
accomplished family will, we are
happy to say, continue to charm the
society of our lovely city, etc., ETC."
That is pure and unadulterated soft
soap, but then Adam likes it and
orders a dozen copies to send "back
east" Simpkins, who rose to pol
itics through the influence and
money made while keeping a little
saloon, pays the usual fee for an
nouncing his name as candidate for
constable, signing "many citizens"
and asks, of course, for a personal
notice. If the editor tells the truth,
he would say that Simpkins has not
q single qualification necessary for
the Office he aspires to; that he is
leader of bummerS, and would in
no wise reflect credit on the COM
munity. Does he say that? Oh, no;
he says: "We are pleased to call at
tention of our readers to the an
nouncement to be found in another
column, that Mr.. Samuel Simpkins,
so well and favorably known as a
a successful business man, has con-
sented to allow his friends to pre-
sent his name for constable, at the
coming convention. We need only
say in this connection, that the
Well-knOwn character of Mr.. Sim
kins for prObity and honesty, should
he receive the nomination, and his
numerous friends are sanguine that
he will, would insure his election
by large and flattering vote" The
people of the community know the
editor is lying, and they say with a
sneer, ooh, well he has to do it you
know; he is paid for it." After the
nomination, no matter what dead
beats and frauds are enabled, by
combinations, by schemes and |
tricks, to secure places on the ticket, |
the party papers are expected to en- |
dow every man with all the virtues |
of the wisest and best, and not only |
must this be done once, but it must |
be kept up fred hot" with the
largest and best adjectives in the
dictionary. We have seen drunk
ards put on temperance plank of
a state ticket, and church members
in good standing and total alb
stinence men go out and labor night |
AMI day for their election. The
press that fails to use a tubful of |
soft soap over such a candidate is
said to be "disloyal," or not true to
the party.
The press is just as necessary to
the people as the people are to the
press, and if the publishers have the
courage and independence to assert
the truth, instead of dealing out
soft soap, the business of making
papers for the public will assume
its legitimate place.
Many communities look upon
their press as an object of charity,
to be supported out of philanthropic
and public-spirited motives. The
press have it in their power to
change this putting more legitimate
business behind the making of
papers, and less soft soap.