The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-09
NBWspApERs AND LIrERATuRF,

found in the newspapers is rapidly becoming
an accepted fact There was time, not SO
very long ago, when writers, especially those
who had attained prominence, were rather shy
of giving expression to their views on import
ant subjects through the daily press, regard
ing such procedure as somehow lacking in
dignity. The monthly magazine, the ponder
Gus quarterly and review, were considered a
more suitable depository for their thoughts
and, failing to secure publication in those
crowded literary receptacles, many an essay,
story and poem have been consigned to
obscurity by their disappointed authors which
might have reached the public and taught
their lessons; The newspaper was looked
upon first as being what its name implies
purveyor of facts; then as vehicle for the
PRONUNCIATION Of editorial opinions; but pres
| emily, writer's not officially connected with the
unworthy medium of spreading their own
ideas abroad. Magazines are limited as to
space, and they are slow. Topics which may
be the burning questions Of the hour are dis
cussed from every point Of view In the daily
papers, and have given place in the public
mind to other matters before they are reached
| by the slow-moying, dignifed reviews. And
having been reached it cannot truthfully be
said that the subjects are, as a rule, treated
i e.: sy4ar
which may attract to given articles
is apt to be chiefly Of personal nature. It is
no longer desire to understand subject
itself, for that has long been settled; but
merely curiosity to learn what some leading
author, or citizen, orstatesman has to say about
it. Writers having learned that newspapers
were available, were not slow to make use of
their knowledge. They discovered not only
that they reached the public ear more direct
ly in this way, but that, also, they gained be-
sides, a name and fame which they might
have waited long for or finally missed through
sued in vain for entrance to the pages Of ex-
| elusive magazines has found those pages open
and eager to welcome him after his worth has
been recognized elsewhere. The literary
regulations which have been made by news
papers are not few. Readers Of current litera
ture know that they can find as good as the
best in their daily papers and have grown to
expect it. 1t is not too much to say that the
best Stories the best poems, the best articles
on all questions Of the day, may be found in the
columns Of the daily journals. The leading
newspapers, so-caIed, of to-day are no longer
mere collectors of news, nor are they wholly
political, nor addicted to one idea of whatever
kind. They give part of their space and
attention to literature pure and simple, and
in proportion to the high quality Of this are
found to be more firmly established in popu-
lar favor.
Two or three years ago the Journal dis
tinctly opened its columns to the writers of In
diana, having in view not only the advantage
to itself, but the mutual benefit of author and
reader. The result has more than justified
expectation. The writers Of Indiana have,
many Of them, a reputation reaching far be-
| You'd the limits of their own State, but they
have gladly contributed frequently to the
Journals columns. Some have gained their
names through the work which has thus
] been given to the public. Without special eff
fort to gain such contributions, the Journal is
enabled to offer in its Saturday issue of each
week articles Of an excellence which will bear
comparison with that found in exclusively lit
erary publications. Indeed, it may be said
that few except the journals devoted to htera-
ture offer so much original matter to their
readers, or of so high character To-day's
issue, while not of more than usual
merit, will bear witness to this assertion
Where is the paper which offers to its readers
in one day more readable or interesting articles
than the sketch by J. W. Riley; the letters Of
travel from Mary Dean, Rev. ]. c. Fletcher
and DR.. J. F. futile; a letter from Mrs. EN-
ma Carleton; the poems by Mary Fl. Krout
Louise v. Boyd and Ida May Davisg With
out unbecoming Boosting, it may be said that
the literary department Of the Saturday
Journal has become feature which the read
ing people Of the State can not afford to do
without, and which, judging by our subscrip-
ton lists, they do not mean to do without
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MARCH, 1883, was a very unfortunate month