Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-20
MEM wac Run NEwsPArEaS,
An Insight Into lhe Workings OF
Daily Paper Office by One
who knows IL ALI.
Puck.

interest and for the benefit of an ad.
vertising agent and a number Of
debonair compOsitors.
The chief OF these is called the
foreman, while his pal and accomplish
is known, technically, as the proof
reader. These two men, in conjunction
with the advertising agent, constitute
the acting %triumvirate OF every news.
paper Office. Around them revolve,
as do lesser bodies around the sun, the
editor, the editorial staff, the readers
and the general public.
If you go into a newspaper Office
you will see, seated in a lu~xuriously
furnished and tapestried private Office
on the first floor, a prosperous looking
individual. He is probably putting a
% cent cigar, and is watching the
smoke as it curls s,ftly towards the
ceiling. He has an overcoat of fur
and sealskin, wears rubies and dia-
monds and has a glistening black silk
hat. Near what is called a type
measure his gloves are negligently
thrown. He is figuring out for him
self 90 per cent Of a $1,000 order.
This is the advertising agent.
Ascending to the next floor you see
the foreman. He enjoys luxurious
ease, and il appears to agree with him.
Around the room are stationed COM
positors. who are toying with small
called type" With them and
with the foreman rests the entire poll
cy and conduct OF the newsp per.
They revise, re-write, add to and ex
puuge from the scraps of manuscript
them. They strengthen certain
articles and modify others They
smooth out awkward and objection
able sentences. They polish certain
periods. When in doubt they confer
with each other. OF such SEES
sions the foreman is always a member
ex ofhcio. These bandits hold, as it
we're, the newspaper in the hollow of
hands.
Proceeding to the third floor you
encounter that terrible parsonage, the
proof reader, who is the Bashi- Bazouk
Of American literature. He sits at
a low desk and has a pencil in each
hand. He waits for his proofs" as a
carnivorous animal might Tor his prey.
The proof reader receives 81 per
week for being on the lookout for any
Of sense or conference tho com
positors may have escaped in the au-
manuscript and for extinguish-
ing it forthwith. He is responsible
only to the advertising agent; but as a
of courtesy he sometimes con-
fers with the foreman to learn the
intentions of the %compositors This,
however, is exceptional. Cases have
been known where a writer would
have Q his article printed as he
it but for the vigilance of the
proof reader. AS a rule, however, the
compositors, by their insane watch
avert any such catastrophe.
On the top floor of a newspaper
10 a dismal looking cell, sits the
editor. The apartment is se~xtangular.
The floor and two of the sides are Of
wood, tho ceiling and the remaining
two sides are of plaster. The editor
sits at a desk. 1t is his business to
write certain notes and suggestions,
which the compositors and
proof reader will make articles. Be-
.ond that he is an entirely ornamental
character. Being on the top floor, be
can go no higher. To penetrate below
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
heartiness, Sympathizing with the poor
editor, speaks an occasional kind word
to him. AT times, too, the collector,
when in lis cups. land therefore ire
sp~Onsible), speaks gently-even gen
ially-to the editor; but when sober
next day he Immediately regrets. The
c~ompositors, being men of full habit,
make merry at the mention of the
editors name; but the proof reader
more delicate and spirituelle in his
way Of life, and always struggling
under the responsibilities of his posi-.
ton, gives publicly no u%ttcrance to hi,
views. In the seclusion OF his home
however, as he places the disheveltC
proofs under his pillow-a place o
safety for the night-he not infre.
quently alludes to the editor as the
poor lunatic who has never been +;
practical printer"
The proprietor Of a newspaper is
from the nature OF his calling, a phi
lanthropist. His brain, his time, AM
the contents of his pocket, go to sup
port and maintain the advertiser
agent, the foreman, the proof reade
and their satellites. He has no fxe,
Office and is rarely seen. In the earl
stages Of his career he may attempt t
argue with his employees; but the IL
tility Of such a course becomes 500
apparent, and he retires to the cour
try. The foreman aud the prot
reader run the paper. Ii there is an
profit the advertising agent takes it;
there is any loss the latter becom.
morose and respondent, and spent
the weeks receipts in c|onvivialiti
with fellow advertising agents,
whom there are many. 1t is the ed
tors business to be blamed for ever
; thing-to be a professional target
and to pawn his clothes and to tn
over the money to the ADVERTISE
, agent as an incentive to that pers
g TO work"
A timely use Of Browns Iron B
tiers will strengthen the nerves a
muscles with new life and vigor, a
/ ward off many diseases hat otherw.
/ are sure to encroach upon a we
: constitution.
s. Mansfield & Co, w. N. Wiki