Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-12
HASTE MAKES WASTE

An interesting debate in two New York
journals finds its text in the charge that
one of them, which seeks to be leader of
public opinion, is vaciliating in its course.
A Texas paper remarking upon this matter
says: 1t is not the cock that crows
"oftenest that will come off victor in the
contest" The truth is that the reason
for the charge assuming it to be trae-is
to be found in the fact that the newspaper
in question gives expression to opinion too
hastily, and this comes of the effort to be
" live paper" the first to give voice to
opinion on the happening of all great
public events.
The Texan unquestionably, in his rude
way, hits the nail on the heal. There is
altogether too much OF journalistic rivalry
for immediate expression, and this has led
to habit among inconsiderate journalists of
rushing into print without the preparatory
thought and consideration SO essential to
that clear and commanding expression Of
opinion that is always worthy OF attention.
1t is very easy to babble. The less full
the vessel the louder gurgles the escaping
water. 1t is by no means an evidence Of
enterprising journalism that paper is
ready with an opinion at an instant's no.
tice. Great issues are not to be discussed
without PREDATORY reflection. journalistic
prophecies are worthless generally that are
uttered without careful review of the
premises and a logical and thoughtful ap.
proach, through the channels of reason,
to correct conclusions. Those journals that
vacillating and unstable in their views are,
nearly always, those whose editorial
writers hastily do their work and comment
in their columns, when cool reflection and
considerable examination would have die
tated a different policy, and have saved
them from humiliation. Nevertheless,
this very haste, so to speak, is the an.
nounced policy of a certain class of papers.
While it is not evidence per Sc of 3
Facilitating course that a Journal changes
it's views or modifies its expressions at
times, it is evidence of hasty journalism
when the course of the paper is marked by
crude and ill-considered expressions, mani
testify made simply to be first. These
hasty writers will find, if they will but
give the subject the minimum OF attention,
that the reading public is a severe critic,
and that it is more frequently than other
wise correct in the measure of its judgment
concerning this system of hasty journalism.
The thoughtful newspaper reader is not de-
ceived by articles full of generalities and
guarded by regiment of " ifs " and spec.
ulations. He immediately discerns the
fact whether or not the journalist feels se-
cure in his own opinion. He penetrates
the thin guize of assumed wisdom and
knowledge that hasty journalism always
puts on. He is an unsparing and unmer-
crful judge of the fact whether the edi.
torial writer has something TO say, and is
familiar with, and well informed upon his
subject.
Take the civilized world around, and the
average reader is the equal in mental dis
cernment of the average writer The at
tempt of the latter, by hasty journalism,
to give TO his paper tee appearance of
being "a live JOURNAL" just as certainly
attaches to it the synonym, unreliable.
The world knows very we'll that it is not
possible for writers to be at all
times thoroughly and well. informed
on all subjects, and it despises
half-oooked mental dish. While it real
ICES that change is of the order of nature,
and one of the accomplishments of fallibil.
ity, and that modification of view is an
act of wisdom, when it is the result of rea-
son and conviction, it is also fully awere
of the fact that the reputation which at
taches for looseness of thought, error of
statement, and illogical conclusion, is inva.
riably the result either of haste OF igno.
rance.
Men IN the business whirl of life
will not pause to place confidence in those
of their fellows who jump at conclusions,
and weigh but lightly the u tterances of those
who are ever over.ready with an opinion.
But they stand uncovered before the judg-
ment that has been matured by thought.
They are equally unimpressed by the over.
cautious opinion of the man who goes halt
ing between Ifs and "buts and other
saving reserves" that indicate the I'M.
settled state of his Judgment. Precisely
in like manner does the reader of the daily
paper judge it.