The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-07-10
A Word for Reporters.
[G. C. Matthews of the Louisville Courier-JourI
to the Kentucky Editors1

re-. C. Matthews of the Louisville Courer-Journal
to the Kentucky Editorsl,
L sometimes think there are more genuine
heroes among reporters than among any other
class of men. The ideal reporter is very dar-
ing fellow. He stops at nothing, whether it be
balloon ascension or diving-bell test-a
lynching frolic or a ku klux masquerade.
They delight in these things and glory in their
pursuit. The yellow fever epidemic of last fall
demonstrated this phase of their character in
striking way. In the dark hours when "the
yellow-plumed angel of DEATH as one of them
puts it, hovered with baleful eyes above the
wailing southern cities, there were many of
the boys stood at their posts until they fell,
martyrs to humanity. And martyrs to hu-
manity, in truth, they were. Without their
words whispered over the wires to the attent
world, alarming neighboring communities of
the progress and the dangers of the pestilence,
the dreadful devastation might have swept to
more northerlypoints in the "isothermal zone"
1, myself, know of one-a noble young man in
the dawn of a most promising career-who
stood amid the hot centers of the plague in the
Bluff City until, with the harness on his back,
he fell. But Landrum saw where the line Of
his own peculiar duty lay and he remained
steadfast until defiance proved futile, and his
reward proved crown not of earth. But
what applause OF the world followed him? In
those hours there was no time to think of indi-
viduals. There were heroes in other walks
whose names are to-day nameless. His imme-
date friends dropped tear and commended
his courage, which was of moral sort that
cannot be disputed. He simply died and was
buried,
"And little he'll reck, if they'll let him sleep on"
This, however, is only an instance. There
We're others, doubtless equally as brave, who
died perhaps within the same hour. 1 only
cite the special case to impress upon you the
fact that reporter may be something more
than mere compiler of "items."
But word for the reporters themselves.
scarcely think they fully appreciate the dignity
of their own calling. Those who are ambitious
them, look upon their work as but stepping
stone to something supposed to be higher and
batter They do not realize their responsible
ties and the absolute importance OF the field in
which they labor. They would "pluck bright
honor from the pale-faced moon" They find
mpersonality hard to bear. They seek to soar
ere their wings are strong. Or upon the other
hand, they prosecute their daily business in
lstless way and grow gray in uninterested ser
vice. To them would say, your vocation is
in itself honorable and worthy, whatever tai
ents you may possess. 1t is the duty you owe
yourselves to maintain in your own persons a
DearluS WHICH Will contribute TO Jne elevation
of your work in the minds of "the general
Remember that the MacGarrahans and the
Stanleys were but reporters, and that their
special successes, directly within their repor-
torial spheres, have set their names upon hill;
and it is the examples of these illustriouS
lights you should emulate. Do not allow your
selves to dwell upon the entertainments Of Bo-
hemia. Struggle against the tendency to
loiter and daily Be punctual, temperate and
enthusiastic Listen not to the siren voices
lfrafra &l,a. L.
the small hours of the night Forget not that,
while you are forced to encounter temptation,
you have duties to the public to perform
Work fast and hard for no man knoweth when
there may be a pressing call for copy
Learn to pass from palace to hovel; from festal
scene to reeking den, without wayering from
the actual purpose of your mission. Heed not
the mputatlons upon your assurance. Be
plucky and gentlemanly Know that you act
In public capacity, and insist upon full
recognition of yourselves and your rights.
OF entrance to quarrel; but, being in,
Bear Bear 1t that the opPoser may beware of thee;
Take each mans censure, but thy judgment;
To thine own self be true,
And it must follow as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
But above all, remember that business is
business, and that in these days of competi-
ton the greatest events are dead matter day
after tomorrow, and that anticipation must
phasize the fact that reporter may be and
ought to be gentleman in the strictest sense,
and that the public should not look upon him.
with joaquin Miller, as cat prowling upon
the walls at night, gloating with eager greed
upon the noisome exhalations of the moonlit
slums. He has, on the contrary in these days
when science, swift-footed, is ever hurrying on
the solution of natures mysteries, when the
, world clamors for the concurrent happenings
II the hour, whether of good or evil report;
whe2R the daily journal is looked upon as mipss-
ror that tfGsscts fsasscts with accuracy of ne AMI COL
or, the lights and dsisa2ws, the realism and ro-
nance of everyday life; afiSrsSSlhen the thinker,
the student, the poet and the commentator de-
fact the reporter has, say, great part to fill
and great work to accomplish. Therefore,
let him be encouraged. Let word of praise
be accorded him now and then. Let him be
TEEN commensurate with the true and actual
dignity of his labor.