Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-12-15
A distinguished literary crank has said

A distinguished literary crank has said
some mean things Of the newspapers, which
has called defense from the Topeka Capt.
tai. The Capital editor IL capital writer,
and We make an extract from his article,
which will be read with interest:
Ne, spapera, o a rule, are not given to
thoughtltss detraction You will find now
and then a paper that makes specially Of
dissemirA ting scandals and SANDER; but peo-
pie soon dnd it out, and cease to patronise
it, and it either dies or reforms. The papers
that proper and have influence do not assail
anybody without good cause, and are gener-
ally able to substsntiste all their assertions.
1t is perhaps true that newspapers like . bit
Of gossip, and welcome an occasional chance
to make it warm" for some prominent char
acter, because their readers enjoy such things
and the press is expected to be both useful
and interesting Bot it is not true that they
60 diving and "swooping" around for
morsels OF defamation; On the contrary, such
matter unfortunately presents itself without,
being searched Tor, and far too frequently.
We think it safe to say, speaking from .
good deal Of experience, that for every as
saul, made upon an Individual 10 the news
papers. hundred opportunities Tor that sors
OF thing are quietly di-regarded. The public
sees only what goes into the paper, it DOS
not see what is kept out. Every editor Of
any consequence holds secrets enough sbou.
his neighbors and fellow-men to make &C.
ries of daily sensations, we're he so impru-
dent and malicious as to pint them, instead
If expressing them. 1t is freely charged
that editors are skepiical and slow to ere lii
men with good intentions. II the world
knew how much they are compelled to zee OF
sham and folly, of preiense and insincerity,
shame and meanness, it would wonder that
they believe in anything or any body. And
YET, as matter of fact, they go on Constant
ly preaching the goodness Of things, and re-
fusing to doubt that a; heart humanity is
sound and true, 10 spite CT these plentiful IT,
diczions Of weakness and corruption.
The editor who seeks excuse to tomahswk
people is an exec ton. In ninety mine cases
out Of a hundred. editors prefer to say cred
liable things OF those whom they talk about;
and they often err in over.' 'pufiag" than in
personal abuse. 1t is not pleasant thing to
denounce = man as fraud or knave; il is
BY no means enjoyable to drag hidden often
ses to light, even when gull. is undoubted
and exposure public advantage. There i,
continued temp alton to publish facts and
rumors Of damaging nature, which the ed
itor's prudence, kindness and self-respect put
aide untold. No other person in the world,
except priest, is such secret-keeper. The
average journalist is neither chattering
masple, nor crosking raven nor q scream
ing gull. His calling trains him to re,;cence,
he first du'y Of bis profession 10 habit Of
siIence-snd his triumphs lie much less in
the direction Of deciding what ought to be
raid that what ought to be left unsaid, or
told with suggestion Of charity.
The man Who behaves himself will never
be harmed BY the newspapers. 1t i. slan-
der to charge that the press g!oats over dis.
coveries of frailty and folly. and is glad to
hold people up to acorn and condemnation.
Boys and girls 60 and see Uncle Jake Col.