The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-10
Men Who Run Newspapers.

number of readers; but it is. actually, a
sinecure maintained in the interest and
for the benefit of an advertising agent
and number of debonhair compositors.
The chief of these is called the fore
man, while his pal and accomplice is
known, technically, as the proof reader.
These two men, in conjunction with the
advertising agent, constitute the acting
triumvirate of every newspaper Office.
Around them revolve, as do lesser bodies
about the sun, the proprietor, the editor,
the editorial staff. the readers and the
general public.
1t you go into newspaper office you
will see, seated in luxuriously furnished
and tapestried private Office on the first
floor prosperous-looking individual.
He is probably putting a twenty fve-cent
cigar, and is watching the smoke as it
curls softly toward the ceiling. He has
an overcoat of fur and sealskin, wears
rubies and diamonds and has glisten-
ing black silk hat. Near what is called
a ''type-measure" his gloves are negli-
gently thrown. He is figuring out for
himself ninety-five per cent of ~ 900
order. This is the advertising agent.
Ascending to the next floor you see
the foreman. He enjoys luxurious ease,
and it appears to agree with him.
Around the room are stationed compos-
itors who are toying with small pieces of
metal called sstype' With them and
with the foreman rests the entire policy
and conduct of the newspaper. They
revise, rewrite, add to, and expunge
from, the scraps of manuscript before
them. They strengthen certain articles
and modify others. They smooth out
awkward and Objectionable sentences.
They polish certain periods. When in
doubt they confer with each other. OF
such sessions the foreman is always
member ex-officio These bandits hold,
as it were, the newspaper in the hollow
of their hands.
Proceeding to the third floor you en-
counter that terrible parsonage, the proof
reader, who is the Bashi- Bazouk of
American literature. He sits at a low
desk and has pencil in each hand. He
waits for his s'proofs' as a carnivorous
animal might for his prey. The proof
reader receives twenty-seven dollars per
week for being on the lookout for any
CLEAN of sense or conference the COM
positors may have escaped in the auth
or's manuscript and for extinguishing it
forthwith. He is responsible only to the
advertising agent; but as matter of
courtesy he sometimes confers with the
foreman to learn the intentions of the
compositors. This, however, is excep-
tional. Cases have been known where
a writer would have seen his article
printed as he wrote it but for the vigil
lance of the proof-reader. AS rule.
however, the compositors, by their in
sane watchfulness. avert any such catas-
trophe.
On the top floor Of newspaper office,
in dismal-looking cell, sits the editor
The apartment is sextangular. The floor
and two of the sides are of wood; the
ceiling and the remaining two sides are
of plaster. The editor sits at desk. 1t
is his business to write certain notes and
suggestions, from which the compositors
and proof-reader will make articles.
Beyond that he is an entirely ornamental
character. Being on the top floor, he
can go no higher. To penetrate below
into the precincts of the proof-reader or
foreman would be instant death; SO he
must needs linger in his cell until the
shades of night have fallen on the office
and then make good his escape. In some
establishments the errand-boy, full of
young hope, spirits and hartiness, SYM
pathizing with the poor editor, speaks
an occasional kind word to him. At
times, too, the collector, when in his
cups (and therefore Irresponsible speaks
gently-even genially-to the editor;
but when sober next day he immedi-
ately regrets. The compositors, being
men of full habit, make merry at the
mention of the EDITORS name; but the
proof-reader, more delicate aud spiritu-
ellie in his way of life, and always strug-
Cling under the responsibilities of his po-
stion, gives publicly no utterance to his
views. In the seclusion of his home,
however, as he places the disheveled
proofs under his pillow-a place of
safety for the night-he not infrequently
alludes to the editor as ''the poor lunatic
who has never been practical printer
The proprietor of newspaper is, from
the nature of his calling, a philanthro-
pist. His brain, his time and the con-
tents of his pocket go to support and
maintain the advertising agent, the fore
man, the proof-reader and their satel-
lites. He has no fixed Office, and is rarely
seen. In the early stages of his career
he may attempt to argue with his en-
ployes; but the futility of such course
becomes soon apparents and he retires
to the country. The foreman and the
proof-reader run the paper. If there is
any, profit the advertising agent takes it;
if there is any loss the latter becomes
morose and respondent, and spends the
weeks receipts in convivalities with fell
low advertising agents. of whom there
are many, 1t is the editors business to
be blamed for everything be pro-
fessional target-and to pawn his clothes
and to turn over the money to the adj
vertising agent as an incentive to that
person ''to work. r. Puck.
The Storm That Mr.. Quillhopper Saw.
Mr.. Quillhopper on wind and DUST
Z" Yes, gentlemen, that was rather Sc
we're storm here few days ago, but