The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-26
ORGANS AND NEWSPAPERS.

An editorial in the January Century takes
stand against what it seems to regard as some
kind of hybrid-the newspaper that is an
organ. The article argues in favor Of di-
vorcement of the two, the organ from the
newspaper, so that newspaper might be alb
solutely untrammeled in its news pages.
''The organ" it says, 'need not be more I'M
truthful than the partisan newspapers are now.
1t is to be hoped that they would not. But
at least the onerous task of lying, misrepre-
senting and traducing characters and motives
could be put upon the politicians who manage
the other departments of political work not
dissimilar to theirs" There is just enough
excellence in this suggestion, and that for
gans" be published at Washington, Trenton
and Albany, while the newspapers should be
issued from Philadelphia, New York, Boston,
and other centers to make it very desirable
but thoroughly impracticabe. OF what ad
vantage would Is an organ-one 'no more
untruthful than the partisan news
paper" over partisan newspa-
pert Would it come any nearer
presenting arguments fairly than the formerG
Would it not of necessity, result in the organ
becoming even less trustworthy than the par
tisan newspaper The real newspaper-the
daily that is intent on publishing all the news
could not be as biased and unfair. as an or
gan, for the reason that its news columns
would give the lie TO its editorial opinions in
case the latter were not in accordance with
the facts. 1t is very narrow newspaper that
will suppress reliable news in the interest Of
the political party it supports. Such a course
would be so manifesty unbusiness-hke and
improbable that no enterprising newspaper
could afford to pursue it. Hence the news
paper in its livest estate ought to be the best
possible dissemination of political, of PARTISAN
opinions. The fact that it publishes the news
and all the news, is a guaranty that its readers
shall be kept advised of the facts they
exist, so that they feel qualified to judge the
merits of the editorial opinions advanced, and
could easily prove their untrustworthiness
from other columns of the same publication
from its own lips as it were. The ideal organ,
unhampered by the necessity of publishing
unpalatable news, could make it's case very
plausible from evidence of its own selection,
and without giving the opposing party the
benefit of whatever facts might exist favora-
BILE to it. 1t will be argued that the organ
that did not deal fairly with its readers would
lose patronage. Very true; but exactly the
same course would be expensive in like man
ner to the partisan newspaper and in case of
the latter the imposition must be much more
surely detected so that there is greater in
centive to truth for the latter than the former.
The insuperable objection to the organ,
stripped of other features, is the fact that
newspapers will not consent to such an ar
rangement The organ can essay the role of
political educator, if it WILL but the news
paper will not consent to forego the privilege
of "talking politics to its pa
irons This admixture is objected
to by the Century on the ground
that the public wants one thing at time.
''The intelligent reader and voter" it argues,
might like both an organ and newspaper
to consult. just as he might at table like both
soup and fish; but as he does not want his
soup and fish in the same dish, he will prefer
his organ and his newspaper to be entirely dis
tinct and different enterprises Each is well
enough in its way, but their ways are not the
same, and cannot be made So" The news
paper is not simply dish in which soup and
fish are mingled, but whole feast indeed,
from soup to nuts. The man who sits down
to it need not order fish unless he chooses
If he will, he may partake only of the lighter
dishes-of the entremets and dessert-and
pass by the solid dishes of politics. The diff
fculty presented to the Century's plan is that
newspapers will not be suppressed, nor will
they consent to having their privileges
abridged. While according the undeniable
right of the organ to set up as special
list it reserves its own ancient rights to
practice in the same school, and that
settles it. The days of the organ and the
hidebound partisan newspaper have passed.
Recognizing the fact that honor in political
matters is as honorable as matters of business,
the newspapers worthy of the name are we'll
aware of the fact that it does not pay to sys-
tematically prevent or suppress the truth.
There are exceptions, of course and notably
in New York city, during the campaign just
closed, which probably suggested the Cen
turys structures. But it is quite safe to say.
that all such journals have suffered in conse-.