Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-11-22
- Schools of Journalism"


"Schools of Journalism"
Tue FREE Pass Of the sth instant contains an
epitome, column long, of the lecture delivered
on the previous Monday evening in your town by
Hon. Daniel B. Lucas. Very naturally our mu-
tual friend deems his theme" Schools Of jour
nalism"--''of the highest importance" and
"hopes'-is ''sure," in fact-that "the day will
come when his thoughts will become tangible re-
alities to be acted upon for the benefit Of genera
tons to come" Considering the fact that Mr..
Lucas is not a journalist, bat rather an idea |
theorist, this confident assertion is, 90 say the
least, quite modest. Being ono stranger to
Charlestown audience" therefore "attention
might the better be concentrated on the subject
without being distracted by any novelty of dicton
or manner" Yet, Gin beautiful fight of ora
tory" he affords US the "fable of the imprisoned
Titan with Etna on his breast" goes "away back
in the ages" to Cadmns cites the old Jewish dis
pensations and the High Priests to illustrate the
technical terms given to an editorial room, and
terminates his "aight" by Informing Us that 90 a
tripod was in olden time the seat Of the Dephic
/ Oraclcs." All this to Charlestown audience
may no; be "distractns;" but what it has to do
with Schools Of journalism, unless to air ones
classic lore, is more thaa a fellow living beyond
| your bailiwiek can we'll comprehend 1t is very
kind in Mr. Lucas surely to say that he has no
enmity to the editorial fraternity :" taey can,
however, entertain only feelings of lofty contempt
\ for his patronizing airs and overweenng self con-
ceit in hoping ''the time will come when their
occupation will be elevated to the rank of the
learned professions and they will be better edu-
Gated" The remedy which our learned pundit
| proposes for what he terms an "evip "is only to
be found in establishing schools chairs in col
leges and universities for the procession OF Jour
naiism, where the future editor shall be trained
mentally and due attention given to his morals
and aesthetics" There is, then, In the ALI hail
Hereafter hope for the poor ink-slingers. Who
are to occupy those chairs, however, modesty
doubtless forbids Mr.. Lucas from declaring, lest
/ it might so happen that, among his pupils, some
at least could be found able to impaFt to him and
to the other learned professors knowledge Of
the indispensable art of punctuation
Your notice OF this lecture aptly terms ii ga
/ theme not OF general interest" and it isstrange
that gentleman Of parts like Mr.. Lucas should
have chosen it. In this he forms only one of an
immense number, chiefly confined, however, to
the illiterSte for every editor knows by expe-
rlence that the grel test asses will impudently
undertake to sitin judgment on the newspaper
which they can scarcely read. Byron, In his
d" British Bards and Scottish Reviewers" admi
rably illustrates whet is here meaGt when he
says
"a man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure critics now are ready-mGde.
/ One would suppose By what he asserts that the
lawyer doctor, and minister have exclusive
claims to learning indeed, Mr.. Lucas goes so Gas
as to say that 1.-THE editor is the of acct
dent" How comes it, then, that he wields such
vast power? Our lecturer spent years over
Blackstone, Kent, and other authorities on Law
in due course os time be was admitted to the bar,
/ and is known of all men as an attorney no edi-
tor attempts to eucroach on his calling: then, in
/ the name OF common sense, why should be suppose
/ that he cAu eonduc; newspaper better than tae
man ,who dcvotes all his time to the pursuit.
Only selfsuhciency could lead hiu to this absGl d
conclusion. lie may occasionally be called upon
to write poem fof one Of the literary societies
of some college aud have now and then supplied
y GOMu W a ASNoIeINA VI '-'''~ ~N'N
/ il he would have the starch taken out OF him, let
him try, for pay, to get an article on any ordina-
ry subject into the New \ Ork Herald FOR instance,
| and ten to one but be will fad, to his great cha
| grin, that, before his lueubgation has been even
accepted, FIVE or six papers on similar topics have
/ been received, paid for, printed, and published
/ rom some poor but practised wight who has never
been to college, but who writes iorcibly, directly
and lucidly, while the learned graduates effort
/ Is probably prolix with its exordium, polished
/ periods, peroration, aad the like.
The true school for journalist is to be found
not 10 colleges or universities, however invalua-
/ BILE may be what is there impaired, but in a
I printing office. Graduates from such an institu-
ton, ii thoughtful, are worth as journalists all
that receive diplomas every commencement the
country through.
AS all who Know me are aware, l have always
/ favored impers nal journalism; but, having re-
/ ferred pretty freely to what Mr. Lucas thinks o!
/ the Profession, | do violence 10 my feelings for
once BY subscribing myself his and
Your obedient servant, j. D. McGiLL.
Spring Ill., D. c.