Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-05-13

to consider how many there are of us
-journalists-under the broad egis
of that Websterian definition. [Egis
in the classics is the equivalent for a
b~ullet-proof umbrella.) All editors,
then, are journalists, because they
write for papers.
Sometimes the managers put what
the editor writes into the paper and
sometimes into the stove; but it is
put in somewhere.
The country newspaper editor is
his OWL manager and so generally
manages to get what he writes into
the paper-when the editor decides
that it can go in without delaying the
issue more than two days. Some
country newspaper editors manage
this by being their own foreman. In
such Vs. their writing is done
mostly. with a pair of scissors, and
the rejection of articles though ever
SO carefully prepared-in that way
is not attended with such narrowing
printing Office commissions as some
times sieze our less fortunately stu
ated brethren of the quill, who wear
out Fabers on their editorials and so
become possessed Of q foolish pride
in them. And just here is the place
to remark that the scissors seem of
late years to be distancing the pen
badly We know that of our own
observation. Many atime have we
prepared an item with care-and the
paste-pot-only to find the self-same
item reproduced with the same pains
taking care by seventeen of our most
enterprising exchanges. The scis-
sors man may not have very strong
claim to being a journalist on the
score of writing for his paper, but cer
tainly he comes in heavy as a mana
ger to palm off his reprint matter,
loaded and without sign and mark of
credit, upon an innocent public, who
imagine, uususpectingly, him a tow
ering genius, little if any below
Webster and Clay.
l have been thus specific in order
that all representatives of the press
here to-day might feel at home in
this assembly of journalists. So,
gentlemen, keep your seats.
But now [ come to Il branch of
this investigation where the explos-
i've material is liable to be found.
Notice: That person is a journalist
who by writing or management con-
ducts OF assists IN conducting a news
paper. Doesn't that definition en-
brace the editors wife? He man.
ages the paper, or thinks he does.
And she manages him, and knows
she does. Dare any of YOU deny
this? Not II But it may be pleas
anter to your ears and less ruiiling to
your editorial pride TO speak of the
editors wife as assisting in the man
agement of his paper. And you OBJ.
serve that she is still, according &c
the Webster definition, clearly within
the pale of journalists.
As an "assister' the editors wife
is invaluable. She assists him out OF
bed early on The mornings of the
two great days of iI,e week in the life
life of an editor-wash day and press
day. She assists him in clipping
fashion notes, HOUSEHOLDS recipes ano
marriage notices from exchanges
which he fails to use with the utmost
regularity, except he occasionally hal
to hunt the assortment through 1,
find the piece that wi. match Tho
gaping wound in the nin~t importan
editorial in the exchanges. TheI
she assists him in collecting 'pe,
sonals," which she furnished by wort
of mouth as he is leaving for tn
office on publication mornings. will
all dates, first names and other def
mite particulars omitted. She assist
in reading proof, noting correction
by a series of running comments fire,
|. at the editor as be Is racking hi
brain for 1.-TWO more sticks Of copv.
J Assists in making bilIs-at the miIli
ner's; in coIlecting-fash'on ,nags
!, zines and sheet music, and in q hun
bred other ways proves hersel
; clearly and Enthusiastically a journals
according to Webster,
In strict justice to The foreman
oompositor and devil their share i
: managing" a newspaper ought I
be discussed. For ~tIo of us Ia
E not been made to feel his litilenes
. at the pen when the knights Of Il
1 composing stick and p'sscr had tn
c control of t;ie types aE'i nc skiIle
Y p~roof-reader TO stand between: Bu
we fear in the absence Of the angus
; personages referred to 10 testify i
|. their " behalf and exhibit tbei
? cards we shall not do their claims
D being journalists full justice, and 5
we leave them out. (Iherc Is notl
/ ing the editor so loves as jGstie'
except cash in advance on subscriI
tions and tickets to shows-1
q So having made it clear that jouI
n nalists are at least Tie qlI:or sua h
# wife-ali that is necessary to nentio
an the present occasion new pa
ts the second branch of Il suhjec
personalities, and repeat the inauir.
What are personalities! Here y
d find it necessary to r.sort to We
it ster again, and beg your critic
e attention to the exact terms eugioye
IL for herein lies the gist 81 the whe
b matter.
lel A personality is something said
3