Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-30
COUNTRY JOURNALISM.

J. d. Buckley, Ii D., whose late vol
une Oh successes in life entitled Oats O.
Wild Oats 2" was recently noticed in this
paper, himself had considerable experience
in journalism, on the literary side Twas
to have been expected, therefore, that one
writing Of nearly all leading vocationa
should do as he has done, and consider
that Of journalism But it is the most
difficult Of all upon which to give proper
advice ia general rule we're laid down
for action in journalism it could scarcely
be more forcibly formulated than to write
it: Be convinced Of the correctness fyour
position and adhere TO it, departing only
from il VIXEN later conviction warrants it,
IN short, policy" as rule, will not in
sure success in journalism, while conscien-
tiousness will. There is Just one jewel in
DR.. Buckeyes chapter on journaliSm-noss
Of the remainder Is commonplace: If the
young man contemplating entering upon
this profession studies newspapers,
and nothing else, he will be without depth,
and have none Of the marks Of genuine
culture" Unquesticnably this is true.
One Of the discouraging things in the pro
fcssion IS the second-handedness OF news
paper writer's. These are found largely
upon the country press. It Is only here
and there that country paper comes
prominently 10 the front as original in its
expression. To the city and the literary
press origination Is mostly confined. The
country journalist, in the wealth Of re-
corded thought and burning questions in
this age, has just as large opportunities to
study IS the city journalist, and very much
les, TO withdraw him from The processes Of
culture. Journalism. dc the Doctor re-
marks, requires a quickncs: of thought
and action not elsewhere 50 essential" and
the remark applies to all journalism. But
il IS fact which the country press will
not deny that the majority Of rural jour
nails, which Of all others should be aids to
the general culture Of the people, are not
rarely riec out Of local
groove, and but seldom command attention
by their originality and forcc-facts due to
lack Of study, as a rule In short, the ma
jofity Of the uou-metropolitan papers Of
the country plainly indicate that the writers
study chiefly their exchanges. No con-
cealment of this fact can be made by
any journalist. And it is because Of this
fact that the distinction is so marked be-
tween the city and the rural press-a dis !
-inction that should be far less prominent
han il is. The country press should be
the conservative influence in The Journal
SIN OF the day. Al its surroundings
-houid encourage study, calmness Of
thought and deiiberation in arriving at
conclusions. 1t should be most deeply
Of the correctness Of posi-
ion and be least easily moved from it
yhen taken. 1t should be- and can be,
made powerful means of general culture,
ACttttt4 anu Itt4dltOG WHICH, III lllG Whole
cheme of journalism, The country press
ms not shown the advancement in tie last
fly years that has marked the metropoli-
an newspapers. 1t stands to-day about
there it did, as a public influence and
ultiyator, half century ago. The rural
apers Of that period were as good as those
f this day, quite as enterprising, and in
iany respects more scholarly. The coun-
-y journalist is understood to reply to this
,equent criticism that the increase of the
lcilitie: for communication have brought :
ne city press into more direct competition {
18th the papers of the non-metropolitan t
sgions, and that in such contest it could
OF be expected that outlying journals