The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-01-09
Newspaper Writers,

The complaint has gone forth that the
everyday young men OF the press, and
some OF The old ones are 'color-blind."
they miss in their nightly toll the sub
ne iiavor, that graphic quality, that
aroma " description, which il best Ia.
beled color"
| W,hllc the Justice OF this complaint is
Freely admitted by the editorial profess
SION, thoy claim that outsiders cannot
possibly estimate the difficulties which
lie IN The way Of securing news writing
OF uniform descriptive excellence. The
man who can write correctly, concisely,
rapidly and graphically, does not null
llp'y himself to any great extent. The
hrst then OF these qualities are ndis.
| pensable IN daily. AID indeed in period
zeal wsk the latter is certainly very.
ueSi:' "'''. BIT when one has to keep
time Win his pen TO the modulations OF
the press q the basement, while il runs
OIL the first half OF the paper, he does
not pause very often or long in The hope
OF drawing 1.-THE aroma Of description
from the bottom Of his inkstand, as IL
we're. There are many men who, while
they even do excellent work ii left 10
their own time and way, notably fail
when they attempt to provide music for
a press that runs seven nights in the
week, The best newspaper style is not
formed IN day or year Surprising a
young man, fresh from college, joins
the press gang Of a first-class Office.
The words Of his commencement stage
Grafton are still ringing in his ears and
they represent his highest ideas OF style
He is eager TO produce them in an edit
Orial; for he looks down on mere news
gathering rs beneath the highest estate
OF one 80 learned as himself and does
not always remember that there is no
present vacancy III the chair Of the
managing editor He would not be hu-
man II he failed 10 work considerable
"high-falu,in' into the items which he
writes. The memorable blue pencil cuts
all Of this ont. aud the youth soon set
ties down 10 hard facts and the business
OF his own department. coming in time
to have horror of horid newspaper
English Then comes the danger that
he will 90 10 the other extreme and his
work become devoid Of all color, on the
same principle that the traditional
Yankee, once noted for asking questions
while abroad, now travels with his lips
so closely sealed that the natives have
hard work to iud ont what he is like.
But if the beginner has anything in him
he will gradually learn his forte and come
20 weave into his work a color of his
own that is all the more acceptable for
lis originality.
The man who sees thing well can
usually describe it we'll Habits OF close
observation and u weIl.lrained memory
make mp the foundations of success of
ali brain workers. And the journalist
who can store up any bi, Of color he
may chance upon, for instant use when
it is most needed, il fortunate. indeed.
He is like the LAWYER, who, when he was
congratulated on the exceeding appro.
piiateuess Of story he had told jury.
replied. "Oh, well, have been wait
ing fifteen years for chance TO tell that
story" And doublv fortunate is the
news ohrouicler who, seeing aud rcmem-
bering event. we'll, also senses their cor
rect relations to each other
That the tone of our periodical news.
writing is improving no ono will deny.
The quality OF the men who devote
both As regards character aud educa-
ton. The reporter ia Il growing power,
and he viii yet come to stand on a pM
with the best OF editors. lnSeed he
should be- able to play the editor at any
moment, aud not only be allowed but
expected to make editorial comments on
the events which are occurring in his
own field. The Paper World.