Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-26
ANNUAL ADDRESS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 1T is a custom Of
this association to elect a president and once a
year do pennance for the sins of twelve month,
by listening with more or less interest to what he
says. This is done to impress us that the Occa-
sion is not of unalloyed pleasure; but in
every pound of sweet we must expect an ounce Of
bitterness; that Hannah can only be properly I'M
derstood by considering Mordecai; that the hor-
ION of editorial happiness should include rugged
mountains as we'll as delightful plains.
First of all let congratulate this association
upon its good fortune in being set down in the
midst of people of such generous Instincts.
Iarinette is a city Of lumber. 1T is builded in
the company of great ire eS and the in sound of
running waters"
have always noticed that such associations
have broadening and harmonizing effect on men.
They haven't the brick and mortar cast of coun
tenance. We could expect, then, nothing less
from such a people, than the warm and cordial
reception we have received. For this we feel
grateful.
hope my brethren of the press will pardon me
if make use of this occasion to speak to them
plainly concerning certain matters pertaining to
the business of making a newspaper. am not
satisfied with my own efforts, and still further.
not satisfied with the ideal that prevails gen
orally.
by things, viz: the ideal of standard which
measures that effort and is the source of it, and
the energy with which the ideal is carried to COM
pletion | believe the country press of WlScon-
sin ought to be, in justice, a hundred times more
prosperous than it is and just firmly believe
that the great reason why it is not thus prosper.
Gus is because the standard or ideal by which it
is fashil ned. is below the grade of success. Old
notions have been accepted to the hurt Of pros
perity. Que of these is that Journalism and
type-setting are kindred, and the latter is the
foundation or the firt. AS consequence we
have surfeit of the sticking ideal or stand
OF born printers and few born journalists, the
same as there are thousands of carpenters and
but few good architects
That inner consciousness or instinct that guides
the carrier pigeon the true Journalist, each at
times upon untracked space, that tells almost I'M
erringly that this way VIII lead to success, and
dove coteS or the art of type-setting. Yet in the
convictions and practice of great many country
publishers the latter is the governing ideal
Hence, we have so few really prosperous news
papers. 1t may be very consoling. but not very
wise, to lay it all to the people, and scold away
at them because they do not appreciate their
home paper if as in other things they buv IT.
ministers to their necessities.
There is really sense or reason in the sup
position that the law of supply and demand does
not apply to country newspaper as well to
a country store.
Every newspaper has its own environment To
study the law that governs in each case is the
part Of successful management. To illustrate;
Wisconsin is in the main agricultural state
and the environment of each paper in such cases
must be agriculture. The local newspaper can
do great deal for its people and indirectly for
itself by devotng portion of its space, under in
te1igent direction, to the necessities Of local ag
riculture. Why should not this be done? Let
the editor organize the forces that are about him
end make his paper give them voice. Become
intensified with the life they live and an active
promoter of their interests. He must not wait to
be asked.
To be printer is to be a power among the
type. To be an editor is to be a power amoug
men To succeed he must reach out and take
hold of their convictions. and where lack of con-
viction prevails, supply it, and by contact, mould
them to an enhancement of their own good
Ideas govern everywhere, and ideals are found
ed ON ideas. This is the editors field To him is
referred the task, in common with the pulpit and
the school teacher, of enlargng the understanding
of the people. This great triumvirate of teach
ers constitute solid phalanX for the overthrow
of ignorance and vice. How painful, then, TO see
a mummy in either place wearing this armor OF
the gods.
The Divine Commission to all teachers is to
teach men TO know good from evil How can
men know without thought, without ideas with
out knowledge? Look then this matter fully in
the face and realize that the function of the edi
tor is the promotion of sound knowledge among
his people. To this end he must be a knowledge
full man.
Work is the great solvent of destiny. Intelli-
gence is the great solvent of worS. The farmer
subscriber must feel that the editor is help to
him because he gives the ideas to aid him in his
work So must the mechanic, so must the mer- !
chant the preacher, and the teacher. Every |
newspaper radius in Wisconsin iSla typical com |
munity with all these wants, and impulses that |
need good editor to help them along. How
can he stand to his place. either for their help or
his own advancement, while he contents himself |
with the ideal of mere publisher and printer. |
There is q circumference to the calling of the