The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-06
The RenOrIer.

1t is singular the public generally
does not accord the reporter the per-
sonal honor that is his due. He is es-
sentially the public's very faithful SER
want, and public servants are ordin-
arily held in specially honorable re-
gard. As it is, he is, as rule, looked
upon. as tolerated rather than favor
ed individual. This should not be.
The reporter occupies position very
nearly at the front among the elements
that contribute to the progress of the
world. He is one of the most useful
products of the nineteenth century.
There were reporters, of course, an
hundred years ago, but they were only
feeble prototypes of the reporter of to-
day. He represents in himself and his
calling the eager quest of the world
for information. AS the newspaper
has grown in value the reporter has
grown in importance, for it is by the
work of the latter that the former is
maintained. There are many persons
usefully employed IN journalism who
are not reporters and they will take no
offense at the assertion that to the re-
porter belongs the chief seat of hon
or among journalists. There are re-
porters of many classes and grades,
but their duties are very similar. 1t
would appear that there was a great
deal of difference between ''doing'' a
police court and dealing with affairs of
contentious statesman, but the differ
ence is not nearly so great as some
may imagine. Almost the same abili-
ties are called into play and in each
instance the aim is the same-accur-
acy and completeness. The qualifica-
tons necessary to the successful prose-
cution of his work are multifarious.
He must be able to discover, penetrate,
apprehend and realize. He must have
an agreeable manner, courage, nerve,
presence of mind, resources that never !
all His discretion must be ex-
luisite; his judgment exact; his con- ,
illusions irrefutable. Usually he must
work without definite orders and at the +
anne time do everything necessary to
he proper presentation of the subject +
n hand. In no other business, per- q
aps, are so many qualifications de- v
handed. Is it any wonder satisfac- r.
DRY reporters are scarcep q
The reporter is most disagreeable h
erson to the individual who has an I'M ,.
asy conscience. The embezzler; the h
hieves of the public treasury; the II
obbers working within the bound of Q,
ne law; the politicians who have GER q,
lin opinions for themselves and others "
'r the people; rascals with schemes a,
foot-none of these are favorably in v,
lined toward the reporter. And Just II
ere may be cited a fact of special mo- r.
ent as indicating the very RESPONSE fa
o position occupied by this unpre- n,
ndlng member of the press. The sc
'ople have become SO accustomed to =,
listing to the newspapers for informal w
On regarding public affairs that tb
most entire dependence is placed tb
'on them for knowledge relating to III
e conduct of public affairs. If there w.
anything wrong in the administra- ~
IN of these trusts it is left to the n
wspapers to discover it and by max 90
3 due report, to enable the people m,
apply the proper remedies. This of
'rk is assigned the reporter They, tb,
erefore, go about as representatives ev
'nipotentiary of the people. There Fii
mot be much more important en- Iaf
'yment than this. That the trust re- th.
sed is fully regarded, the downfall col
many public robber attests. And RI
royal set of fellows are these re- nal
tiers! How incorruptible they are, p.'
ry newspaper proprietor knows. ;ts.
ny an over-worked, poorly paid, for .
bby reporter has refused, without ooo
itation and with the utmost scorn a. a.
pes that would have made him w.. 49,
ost rich, and gone on unswerv- e e
" in the line of duty, with never a Sou
1ght of regret, finding his sole re- ;n "r
d in the fact of duty fulfilled. thSs
re are black sheep in every flock, 70 tno ,
the fewest number in the news ~,
er fold.-Cleveland PANTY Fair. w