Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-08
SAN FRANCISCO LETTER.
PUBLICATION OF NEWS ABOUT
THE SOCIAL WORLD.
Absence of Newspaper Enterprise
The Panama Transit and Cal
ifornia's Prosperity.
Correspondence of the REcoRp-usros.

peoples private affairs, which gave rise to
considerable discussion, and it almost
seems that my remarks, though by no
means novel, nor so well said as the same
idea has been put before are destined to
create great revolution in the methods of
publishing social gossip. 1t is charged on
the one hand that the publication of re-
ports of social events is an impairment in
trrlsion, while the newspaper apologists
claim that, no matter what the
parties noticed may say, they are
at heart highly fattered and pleased
by any notice, providing it is compli-
mentary, and have therefore no right to
object when the notice is the reverse.
Now it occurs to me, and throw the idea
on the market with the promise that
will now seek to collect royalty from any
one that may adopt it, that the best way
out of the difficulty is for newspapers to
make regular charge for the publication
of
PERSONAL. AND SOCIAL NEWS
cannot see any reason why newspaper
should publish such matters free of charge
They are Of interest only to parties whose
names are mentioned and their circle Of
friends. If Mrs. Bluenose loses her cook
and desires to secure the services of an
other chef" that is matter which GER
tainly interests her, and her friends also, if
they are in the habit of dining at her house.
1t is also of indirect interest to the whole
brotherhood and sisterhood of cooks, and
has besides a flavor of interest to the pub
lie at large, if Mrs. Bluenose be rich and
great, for it opens up specuations about
the cause of the cooks leaving, and other
matters of Bluenose's domestic economy.
1t raises the thought, Does Mrs. Bluenose
drink, and when in liquor abuse the cook,
or did the late culinary artist at the Blue
nose mansion receive too many callers ~
1t is a live, interesting subject all around
and one does not grudge the time it takes
to leave the busy world awhile and men
tally transport oneself to the Bluenose resi-
dence, and wonder whether the cook sleeps
in the attic or cellar; whether it is male,
female or Chinese; whether well or i'll
treated, and puts oneself, so to speak, in
possession of the fullest information about
the Bluenose cuisine. Now here is mat
ter of interest, the publication of which
would
BENEFIT BLUENoSE AND THE COOKS
And please the people; yet the newspapers
would not think of giving it space except
as paid advertisement. Does it not APP
pear inconsistent that they should decline
to write about the lack OF accord at Blue
noses, and should be over-eager to state
that the Bluenoses had gone to spend Il
week at the springs? Who cares if they
have gone to the springs? Everyone goes to
the springs when the proper season comes.
If the Bluenoses STAYED away because they
could not spar" pass and had no money
to pay fare, there might be some news in
stating the fact; but TO be told of their
going to the springs, which is as every
day an incident rs going to dinner or the
theater, is foolish and calculated
to give the Bluenoses too high
an opinion of the swath they are
cutting in the social meadow, and at
the same time call the curl Of contempt to
the public lip, at the newspaper which
publishes such frivolous bosh. If Mrs.
Biuenose wants her friends TO know she
SOiiS W iiiC anu ~ save
postage, it is obviously fair for her to paw
tho newspaper which advertises the fact
and if the lady does not want her move
ments published, and does not desire to
pay for any publication, there is no earthly
reason why a paper should use her name
at all. There is still
ANOTHER SIDE TO NY IDEA
Which think is worthy of all attention.
The plan of paying for notices of parties
and social events would be an inestimabe
boon to large number Of people who like
to have their inequalities known and who
do not know how to get them in the
papers. Most people like to see their name
in print It's common weakness Every
newspaper man Of experience, when he
desires to get even with an enemy, rcgu-
larry keeps his name out OF the paper when
it should appear, or spells it wrong when
he dare not keepit out. The late lamentcd
Lynch, one Of the best writers in this
State drove man named Kidney to the
verge Of distraction by regularly spelling
his name Kidneys. Suppose Mrs Very
modest gives a party and would like to see
a notice of it in the paper She is no. ac-
quainted with any social editor" who
will do her the favor, and 50 she has to go
hunting around among her friends to find
some one who knows man who can reach
some reporters eur. Nonld il not be much
nicer and more convenient for Mrs. Nerv-
modest il she could slip Il report of her
affair in an envelope and address il to her
iayoritc paper, with the order, Send
bill?" Or, better still, if there was paper
to which she could write, Please send
lrst-ga,., reporter, III dress suit, to write up
my party, and charge to my account" In
chat way ones
WEALTH COULD EE DIsrl.tYEp
And their vanity licked very nicely.
Brown. who has an income OF So 00 Il
year, could only afford $50 notice for his
parties, but Mct;onigle the successful land
thief, could command Il whole page in each
of the papers The fact that such notices
were paid for could he dis rectly kept from
the lower classes Business men would find
the extended notice of their social doings
a frst-clasS "ad.' For instance Miss Grant
is married, and her papa, who keeps
a wholesale store, lays in stock
OF reporters to write up the affair lie can
run in list of his best customers among
the invited guests, and the customers would
feel tickled to death at the compliment.
Brown of Marysvillo, who keeps Il small
notion store, finding his name as among
the invited, could pack the paper around
and, to the envy of his neighbors. show
that he was on terms Of social equality
with the big man in san Francisco That
would please Brown aud would not cost
Grant much II would pay, for any
thing that makes one take an in
terest in business firm is an
indueement to trade there. Take the case
of the politician going for office. He
could give party and publish as among
the invited every man whose support he
desired. That would please the one and
help the other. Money could not be spent
to better advantage
This gives an idea of my plan; putting
it into execution is an easy matter, and
the paper that first adopts it will find
fortune sure. 1t has got to come to
it, Already the social news in the Call
and other papers has grown to unman-
ageable length, and the perilous point is
reached where discrimination has to be
used in its publication. Every one dis
eliminated against feels sore, and asks
=. Why should the Jones affair receive
more notice than mine?" What answer
can the editor give that will mollify
wrath? But if he could say Jones
paid $40 and you limited us to So the