The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1886-10-07
WORK OF THE COUNTRY EDITOR.

''t''t-'As
The country editor has to MANAGE
I his business. He solicits advertise
ments and spends hours in the work
OF convincing men against their wills
that 1t is to their interest to keen
their names and wares before the
public; he spends days and days talk
ing with men to induce them to be-
come subscribers and slowly built up
q list of names for his paper; he
doubles his work when it comes to
collecting the money for his adver-
tlsement and his subscriptions,
tramping miles and miles and vast
ing many precious hours trying to
get hold of a few dollars with which
to meet obligations that are pressing
him wolf like and racking his mind
with perpleXity and fear. That is the
work which makes the country editor
old before his time, that oftentimes
puts him in humiliating attitude be-
fore business men, and fills his heart
with the bitterness of despair. That
is the real labor of the average coun-
try editor. Is it to be wondered at
that sometimes his paper is duh and
uninteresting, scant of news and
and lacking in the attractions that
the public demand?
And the influence of the country
editor who can estimate it? 1t is
the greatest force in any community.
The work Of all the ministers cannot
equal the influence of the country ed
itor. The spoken word will never
equal the written one in effectiveness
and permanent value; and all the
congregations in town cannot equal
in number the auditors Of the editor.
lie speaks weekly to thousands of
people where the ministers talk to
hundreds. We bring the ministers
into this discussion, not to belittle
their work, but to make a COMPARE
son that will be generally understood.
The influence of the country editor
is nearly always helpful; a good
newspaper will do more for town
than any other influence. Is there a
hospital to be built? The editor pre-
sents the necessity for it, kindling in
every mind a desire to see the insti-
tuition established, points out the way
for accomplishing the object desired
and helps along every scheme Tor
furthering the cause. Are selfish
men planning to line their pockets
with scheme that will iniure in
stead of benefit the town? The edi-
tor exposes the plot and awakens the
opposition of the people Is there q
progress for the benefit of church or
Il town library? The editor booms
it, gets everybody interested and in
sympathy with the matter and turns
the golden tide in the proper direc-
ton. He helps along the local char
tiles and all worthy institutions; he
keeps the people informed about each
other and alive to the interests Of
their town; his influence is strong,
constant, and for the well-being of
his town.
And his reward? Alas, we cam
not enthuse over that. lie receives
that in the heavenly kingdom. And
he gets their quicker than most men.
So far as this world is concerned he
must be content with the well done''
Of his own conscience, with the salts
faction that he is laboring honestly
and well and that his life is one of
usefulness. And the true country
editor is really content with this re-
ward; the man who looks chiefly
tor pecuniary returns for running q
country weekly is not fit for the no.
bic profession he has entered and
ninety-nine times out of one hundred
such an one will get badly left.