Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-04-01
CONCERNING NEWSPAPERS.

Sam Small, in a recent sermon in Chi
cago, said concerning newspapers: II have
been a newspaper man for twelve years,
and 1 will say that if I wanted to get a
clear and honest judgment of my work l
would rather 60 into newspaper office
than into court of justice. The best way
to be above fear is to be a true Christian.
The newspaper reporters are the best de-
tective force in the world. They have
unearthed more crimes and shams than all
other agencies, and my plan is to take the
brides off them and let them go. If you
think newspapers give too much space to
divorce suits and scandals the way for you
to do is to quit buying them-then they
will quit printing them. believe news
papers need reforming in some respects,
but the way to do that is to reform the peo-
pie. Papers print what the people want,
and from the character of a newspaper l
can Judge the character of its readers.
There would be no scandals if there were
no ears craving to hear them."
Speaking of the Importance to a commu-
nifty of the local newspaper, Hon. David
Davis, says: Every year every local paper
gives from 500 to 5000 free lines for the sole
benefit of the community in which it is To-
Gated. No other agency can or will do this.
The local editor, in proportion to his means,
does more for his town than any other ten
men, and in all fairness, man with man, he
ought to be supported, not because you may
happen to like him or admire his writing,
but because local paper is the best invest
ment community can make. 1t may not
be brilliant or crowded with mere thoughts,
but financially it is more of benefit to
community than the preacher or teacher.
Understand US now, we do not mean moral
ly or intellectually, but financially, and yet
on the moral question you will find the ma
jority of the local papers are on the right
side of the question. To-day the editors of
local papers do the most work for the least
money of any men on earth. Subscribe for
your local paper, not as charity, but as an
investment.
In reference to sensational journalism, the
Ellenton, N. Y, Banner Of Liberty makes
the following timely remarks: The coun-
try is cursed at present by one of the worst
attacks ofsensational journalism with which
it has ever been afflicted. The evil is as
suming alarming proportions. 1t indicates
development of American character in
the direction of hearing and telling lies that
is in the highest degree discreditable. The
sensational press does not mean OF care to
tell the truth. The best-conducted news
papers find it hard to keep false reports
from their columns. The sensational press
revels in exaggeration and invention. The
worst of it is, that these inventions are told
with the air of truth, and are calculated to
undermine morals, to give credit to hum
bug and superstition, and to inculcate
craving for licentiousan sensational litera-
ture that can be satisfied in the end by
nothing short of the most depraved read
ing. The parent who admits one of these
sensational journals in the family circle
nourishes viper that in the end will
sting him with a deadly venom. Let the
moral sentiment of the American people
arouse itself to crush the sensational press.
Unless something is done to check its inf1u-
ence, the next generation will be chiefly
noted for licentiousness and falsehood.