Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-18
Friday EVENING, Nov. is. 1851.
a

Another trashy, empty bit of news
paper enterprise in this city has gone
the way Gifts many puny little prede-
cessors. 1t had a mission, that mis-
sion is accomplished and it %retires.
This is about number seventeen of
the so-called papers hat have fall
len by the way in our time. We do
not recolleet half the names now nor
could one citizen in a thousand. We
do not allude to them in any spirit of
satisfaction because it is nothing to
rejoice over, and really not worth
mentioning only to call attention to
the difference between legitimate
journalism and the base limitations
which come in to reap a harvest where
they have sown nothing, Men who
follow the business for life, wto
toll early and late, may make
a competency out of it and sometimes
get a little ahead. Such instances, we
regret to say, are not numerous enough
to make the profession of journalism
very inviting. Those who rush into
the business without experience or an
adequate idea of its responsibilities
and its relations with the public are
just as sure to fail as the pan who
starts a bank without money. 1t does
not cost very much 10 get out a few
numbers in a cheap style at some
job Office, but when it comes to buying
presses, cases, imposing stones, paper
cutters, ink, paper; to setting up all
the necessary machinery, to puttingin
gas fixtures aud meeting a thousand
and orc little unexpected expenses
and then paying for dispatches, paying
editors, reporters, printers. clerical
help, house rent, rerairs, and for
breaks, leaks, accidents and then
count up losses by dead beats, bad
debts and thsnkee jobs, it takes
money, and it has to come regularly or
there is trouble. There is not much
glory at such a crisis. The nan who
has to meet the bills and cannot DO it,
Would feel much better at the boss
end Of the plow with a mule at the
other, ia a cOrnfeld. Thoughtless
people are often temporarily hum
plugged by sheets hat spring up
on the mushroom principle
and seem not to notice the real
distinction between permanent plant
in good soil and one that crops out
on a rock only to wither in the sun.
Apeculiarity Of the epbemeral journal
is that its conductors generally think
they have to undermine or pull down
some established paper before
they can fnd room to take root.
They bark and snap and snarl
at the heels OF permanent
journalism ike lit,le fees, until they
arc u Of breath, as it were, and then
lean up against a fence or plunge into
a puddle TO rest. The public never
becomes agitated, nor does the world
deyiate from its accustomed course.
The phenomena may attract the atten-
lion Of curious observers, but before
they get a good look at tie gourd it
has wilied and turned to a crisp.
Real competition in newspaper life is
very healthy, and we should think it
would be rather enjoyable than other
wise. But in the peculiar field Of
afternoon journalism. that is a sensa-
ton which the LEDGER, in the sixteen
years and some odd months Of its ex-
~istence, has never experienced. 1t
may eome--probably will-when Mem
phis takes a start. The Gcld is open,
and there may be those Of means and
practical IDEAS who think it could be
worked better. When they do come