The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-06
STATE EDITORS IN COUNCIL.
An Int resting Address by President
George 1. Reed.
Report of the Committee on Revision of
the Laws Governing Newspaper Adj
vertising-WhO We're Present.

Inc state Editorial ASSOCIATION met IN the
Federal Court room yesterday morning in an
nual convention. Very few were in attendance
in the forenoon, and the time was devoted
chiefly to an exchange of greetings and social
intercourse. At . o'clock an important business
session was held, with the following gentlemen
of the State press present; j. G.. Balm, Martins
vile Republican; W. NJ. Moss, Bloomfield Demo-
crat; Aleck Chomel, Shoals Herald; W. D. Pratt,
Logansport Journal; W.. G.. Ball, Terre Haute
Gazette; G.. E.. Wagner, Vernon Banner;
George 1. Reed, Peru Republican; W.
A. Bell, Indiana School Journal James
7. APPLICABLE, New Albany Ledger;
j. G, Kingsbury, Indiana Farmer W. D.. H.
Hunter, Lawrenceburg Register; W. r. Hollo-
way, Indianapolis Times; George j. Langsdale,
Greencastle Banner; W. s. Lingle, Lafayette
Courier; Luther Short, Franklin Democrats; L.
W. Ha!fOrd, Indianapolis Journal; 8. ]. Thomp-
son, Shelbyville Republicans; EJohn A. FOrsythe,
Seymour Democrat, and W. II. Elliott, New Cas-
tie Courier. The association began business with
Mr.. George L. Reed in the chair, and Mr.. Luther
Short at the secretary's table. The time was
chiefly devoted to the discussion of the statutes
pertaining to newspaper advertising. The Sec
rotary read a digest of the laws of the State
bearing upon the matter, accompanied by
explanatory and suggestive The
object of the associatirn is to have needed
amendments made. Many of the laws are vague
and indefinite regarding the number of publ
cations, ana different statutes appear TO conflict.
The association authorized the printing of the
digest iii pamphlet form for tho convenience of
newspaper publishers, and to have them in con-
Venient form for the consideration fby the Legls-
ture.
Mr.. E. W. Halford, previously appointed to
draft a bill on the subject OF libel, reported pro-
gress.
A consisting of Messrs. Reed, Ball.
Short and Elliott, was appointed to suggest
nandnA N IN in 1uuVa uaruf laUnl
publications.
The annual address was delivered by Presl-
dent Reed and contains many valuable sug-
gestiUns. Mr.. Reeds address is given i'll full.
PRESIDENT REEDS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen-To be elected president of an as
ISOLATION of gentlemen as intelligent and influ-
entail as those comprising the Editorial Associ-
alton of Indiana is an honor of which I am not
insenslble. 1t will be my chief ambition to dis
charge the duties which an acceptance of the
position imposes, in such a manner as to reward
your confidence and meet your approval.
The purpose Of this paper is not to laud the
press with fulsOme eulogy, but ratherin general
terms to refer to the position of the newspaper
press to-day, and offer some suggestions regard
ing the editorial conduct aud manage
ment of the partisan county newspaper.
The editor does not rank with the lawyer or the
preacher as a member of one of the learned pro-
tessiOns; but if he has the intelligence, the com
prehenslve knowledge which qualities him for
his WORK, he may not shrink from a comparison
with the representatives of the professions
named, in the SCOPE, character and results of
his labor. The sanctum Is not hedged about
with a divinity; but there is q certain well de-
fined, characteristic dignity IN the best emana-
tions from it. The productions of the sanctum
are more eagerly sought and more generally
appropriated than the productions of the pulpit.
This is not on account of the depravlty
and wickedness in the world, because 1t is true
of Christians as well as sinners. The public gen.
orally recognize the fact that the newspaper
press is an influential agent In moldlng and
forming public opinion, and directing it in GER
tain channels; not arbitratorilv or dictatoriaIly,
but logically; by the presentation of argument
in attractive form, in direct, pure and simple lam
guage that is readily cOmprehended. The news
paper is the pioneer. 1t paves the way like the
surveyor in the woods, aud leads while it
teaches. 1t presents editorial COM
ments simultaneously with the news, and
the average reader adopts the sentiments ready
made, because they are usually as correct and as
well phrased as he coIld make for himself after
mature deliberation.
II is true thar, in "a certain sense, the editorial
opinion of a newspaper is a reflex of the public
sentiment, just as its news Is the reflex of the
days dOings; but II is something more. The or
binary Vane on top of u barn shows the present
direction OF the wind: whereas the more compli-
Gated apparatus in the hands of the educated OBJ
server at the signal station fOretells the direction
and force OF the wind several days in advance.
The Intelligent, well-conducted newspaper, with
relation to public opinion, is both vane
and signal station. For several years the party
platforms adopted by conventions have been
simply a digest of the proceeding newspaper dis
cussinns and opinions On the several questions
treated.
While the most popular newspaper may be the
one which Jnost accurately voices popular senti-
ment, [ would not recommend for the motto of a
soltrespectIng journal the phiiosophic sugges.
ton of Mr.. Plckwick on the eve of a hotly-cOn-
tested election: always do what the mob does,
and II there are two mobs shout with the
largest" but rather so conduct the paper as to
reach and satisfy aud thus influence the MEM
beers of that greatest of all classes-tne middle
~class-which conducts affairs, makes up society,
support the schools, the church aud the state.
There was IL time in this country when the
average newspaper was controlled by the ward
or county politician; but there is happily greater
self-reliance, aud hence more self-respect and
less servilI.Y, in the press of to-day. Not every
man who owns or edits a newspaper Is u truly
great man, by any means. Some would hardly
come up to the portrait of Mr., PoUt, of the
Eatonswill Gazette, who twas bald-headed and
had n face in which solemn Importance was
blended with a look OF unfathoInable profund.
ity."
Some editors manifest this solemn import
ance, but the "look of profundity" is wanting:
ana what is more deplorable, the profnndity Is
even more sensibly wanting. So long, how
ever, as Il printing ott1ce can be equipped for the
publication of IA hye-cOlumn folio, weekly, with
press and materials valued at 5000 and pur-
chased ON credit, there Will be, naturally, some
very small newspapers with very small editors
hanging no the verge OF journalism. And yet
LSiS the ''a eSplsustion '"T that the low %oI price
and the purchase on credit must not be ac-
crpted as evidence of the bad character
Of IL newspaper. II the editor is honest and the
publication well mentioned, 1t is possible for a
great and influential journal TO grow from a small
beginning, provided it is In a favorable field.
My conviction is, and 1T may as well be said in
this connection, there are to-day in Indiana too
many publications called newspapers. Com
paratively few towns in the State besides the
county seats offer a field for the publication of n
weekly papcr, ana yet scores of such fields are
sought and worked, frequently in "a manner that
is not credltable to the particular enterprise or
to the profession at large. Some of them are so
independent as to engage in a guerrilla style Of
warfare during a political campaign, and think
it no dishonor TO levy black,nall upon candidates.
A higher sense of honor and "a better standard
Of morality should actuate the editor. He should
have the courage to reject "A bride, and refuse to
sell his editorial influence at any price. a good
business man would recognize the fact that an
editor who can be bought has n very precariOus
value, and the purchase is extra hazardous. The
time has come when high-;minded men only are
$1,000 In ~. uraEa.s.an: L.a.. .rLa LaEa aau-i.