The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-27
THE PARTISAN NEWSPAPER.
Suggestions as to How 1t Should Be
Conducted To Be Made Successful.
The Addresses Delivered by M. C. CARRIER and
c. Ricketts, Before the Republican Ed
it0rial Association Yesterday.

The annual meeting of the Republican Ed
ftorial Association concluded yesterday at noon.
Tho addresses of Mr. NJ. G. CARRIER, OF the. Mad
sson Courier and Mr. G. Ricketts,. of the Colum-
bus Republican were the special features of the
morning session Mr.. CARRIERS subject was,
AsThe Value OF Cooperation in Party and Ed
siorial Work" He said:
have no argument to offer as to the value Of
cooperation between the party and the press
IL is superhuous to discuss the question Of value
There is no gauge by which to measure the util-
ity Of partisan press to political organization
IL IL simply invaluable and Indispensable II all
abe newspapers Of party should form union
and go upon strike at the beginning of cam
paiRn, the party to. which they belonged
would be hopeessly ruined. II the
press should unite in boycott upon
any particular member of its party that gentle
would permanently retire to private life
In our sister republic of Mexico they manage to
got along without any orators in a campaign,
and do oil of the work of exhorting, informing.
arousing and enthusing through the press, but
IN no country whore the partisan newspaper has
been introduced as factor in a political cam
paign has It been abandoned for a better
weapon. However, we are not here to
vaingloriousy estimate our capacity for
good or for evil, but to consider how we may be-
come more efficient in the advocacy of the grand
principles of the erandest political party ever
organized upon earth Not value of coop
GRAFTON. them but co operation will be the theme
no which invite attention.
The active elements of political party may
he divided into three classes the speakers the
workers and the editors. The speakers are
essential, the workers are essential, and so are
the editors. Each class has its function and
sphere, and the party needs them all. But
there are differences in the ways they work, the
rewards they receive, and the popular demands
Mppn them.
The speaker is called into action every second
and fourth year. His coming is heralded by the
press as the advent of the eloquent Honorable
orGeneral Soand-so. His railroad fare is paid
for him, committee meets him with carriage
and brass band, and he is driven to the best
hotel the locality affords. The workers spread
themselves through the highways and byways,
and all the adjacent country round about drum
fall in with the boys, bear blazing torch aloft
and as the leaking oil trickies through their
clothes and the muddy ooze penetrates their
boats, sHurrah!" for the orator. and escort him
10 the Speech and in his next issue euogizes the
brilliant orator for his able effort. And SO the
campaign goes on. and the reward OF
that orator is good fat office
Congressman, Senator, Governor, a seat in the
Legislature, or, perhaps consular or Territor-
ial appointment for his few months labor.
BY workers. we mean chairmen of central
committees and those who assist them in their
nrduous, incessant and vexatious tasks. These
men deserve well of the party las the orators do
also) but their work is limited in point of time,
and does not involve the contentious quarrels
and loss of friendly feeling that the utterances
of the speaker and editor too often entail. The
rewards of the party worker are liberal in the
form of county, city and State Offices, and places
In the departments, and elsewhere, and the
editor sings his praises without ceasing
Now, as to the editors, do not wish to claim
for them more than is their due. do not de-
sign, in any remark make, to be invidious or
70 detract from the credit which belongs to one
of the cooperating elements of our party, to be
4tow it upon another, but there are several points
where plain statement of facts, as editors see
them, may promote party harmony and place
rco-operation upon q higher plane of action
With these objects in view. will present them:
The editor works all the time not every Sec
Ond or every fourth year. He works for every
body. If candidate is distasteful to him he
swallows his crow and does his best all the same
He cannot drop out of a campaign like speaker
or worker If he is in the slightest degree luke
warm it is noticed at once. There is no reward
for his vanity, such as the speaker receives, nor
are his expenses paid when he moves from point
to point, while engaged in party work. The ma
fure of his vocation obliges him to offend
DO many people that he does not enjoy an
equal chance with the party worker in the race
for lucrative Office and emolument These are
disadvantages and Inequalities that newspaper
men accspt with good grace, and make no com
paint about them. When considering party CO.
deportation, however it is well to 60 back to first
hrincples and attempt to ascertain what is just
Ice to all concerned.
1t docs seem to me there is no lack of cooper
ktion upon the part of the editorial fraternity
with speakers, workers, and the masses Of the
party. We appreciate these coaborers in the
good cause of Republicanism, one and all, and
will ever cooperate with them Loyalty and earn
sstly. But does the party cooperate with the
press to the extent that it should, that it could
and would be to the advantage Of all9
Let me suggest few ways by which the party
eould assist the press, elevate it to a higher
plane and strengthen its influence with the peo-
pie.
First--Make the standard of propriety the
same for speaker and editor. Publications
should not be expected of partisan newspapers
that the highest minded speakers of the party
consider unworthy of utterance from the ros-
trum. A newspaper should represent the best,
hoblest and cleanest sentiment of It's party, and
editors should resent a custom that grades them
on lower level than the public speaker. An
EDITOR may not possess the talent of the fore
most members of his party. but his influence by
reason of the wide circulation of his daily or
weekly paper, may be actually greater. More
over, the measure of mans brain capacity
se hxed by nature but his decency cour-
sesy and honor are controlled by himself
have often admired the cleanliness of Governor
Porter's forcible addresses, the freedom of Gen.
Harrison from unbecoping personalities aud
was particularly impressed during the last cam
paign with the chivarous courtesy and thorough
kindliness of Major Calkins upon the stump
Such men can go through the fercest contests,
perform the most effective work for the party
and when the campaign is ended have no feuds
DID their hands, and no mortal enemies seeking
nm opportunity to get even" 1t is time to ask
why one rule of conduct should be laid down for
the press and another for the stump If the
standard established for Porter, Calkins and
Harrison is best for speakers, why is it not best
Eor editors2 Editors are not different from other
men. We certainly possess as much of the milk
bf human kindness in our composition as our
neighbors. We do not willingly publish the
Nv. Our manner of life teaches
as charity, tolerance and forbearance
It is time for declaration upon this point bill
Of rights. an emancipation proclamation. throw
ing of the yoke OF servitude and insisting that
we are free men and gentlemen-not as talented
md distinguished as some of the oratorcal