The Irish standard., 1886-05-01
COERCION

COERUlUN
Attempted Interview by Representative
of TheP laindealer and Ultimate Success.
In his rounds about the city. On
Thursday, q representative of thePl LAIN
dealer met Mr.. Ed. O'Brien, well-known
throughout this city and county. now
proprietor of THE IRISH STANDARD,
published at Minneapolis, MINI.
Though somewhat reluctant towards
being interviewed, Mr. O'Brien finally
surrendered himself Tor brief space Of
time-just long enough to give few
facts concerning his first experience
as editor and publisher.
The STANDARD, we note has almost
reached the first half year of its exis-
tence.
| Question back over that
period have your expectations been re-
allied, we asked?
Answer.-They certainly have. 1 en-
tered the field Of journalism knowing
full well what was in store for me. The
fact that I had worked fourteen years
of my life OH daily papers gave me a
fair idea-an insight, us it were-as to
what would be the best course to take
when it came to managing business OF
my own and do it successfully.
! Q.-Then by this you mean to say
| that you have closely observed the fail
ures that have taken place in the news
paper business in ycur own midst, and
from these have been able to draw per-
tect conclusions as to how success Or
failare may be brought about?
| Ayes. A newspaper mustbe con-
Quoted on business principles-more so
indeed, than any other business, if sue
cess is to be achieved. The general
pub]ic-outslde the printing fraternity
have but a faint idea Of the outlay Of
money, the toll and strife that those
who enter the Journalistic field must
undergo before the goal is reached. In
this profession many a man has gone
on for years in an earnest endeavor to
advance the cause of mankind and yet
his own reward has been but pit
tance-not indeed what it should be
in accordance with the work chat he
has done.
O.-Is it not made a venture by
many?
Alt is. Too often such is the
case. There is too much of this hap
hazard, go-as-you-please business i'll
everything. There are many who jump
into the field without any qualification.
A man may be good writer and sue
ceed in this business; he may be q
practical printer and succeed; but
when you find man who is neither
printer nor writer grasping with new
born newspaper, you can make up your
mind that there is a person who has
missed his calling: aud sooner or later
he, as we'll as the public who may have
patron1zed him, must suffer the conse-
quences of his unfortunate failure.
Q.--You find that there is great
deal IN the make-up Of newspaper?
A.-Certainly. There is nothing like
neatness something often neglected Ill
newspaper way. ltmust oe made at
tractive. The matter thata good FAM
lily paper contains willalways be choice,
or should be. Variety is what people
want. Selections of crisp and racy
nature both interest and attract the
general reader. Another mistake ] be-
lieve that is sometimes made, is in at
tempting to make sort of''Police Gaz-
ette''of some family papers. 1t weakens
their standing sooner or later.
Q.-What think you of your future
prospects?
Al have already reached the
bounds of confidence. In the begin
ming [ made up my mind clearly on
one poillt-that was that no personal
endeavor would be made by me outside
of Minneapolis to advance The STAND
ARDS interest until saw it OH perfect
footing, and that time has arrived.
Remember [ was not millionaire
when I began. The money that | put
into the investmant was the accumula-
ton of years Of toll at the ''case," and
therefore was not an enormous sum.
With a heart in the cause that TIE
STANDARD is championing and with
faith that my endeavors would not be
neglected if should be faithful in the
work before me, the step was made.
Future prospects are certainly as bright
as could be wished.
Q.-To digress. The prospects for
tradesmen and laboring men are grow
ing brighter in Minneapolis are they
not?
A.-They are.
Q.-Do you employ Union men?
Al dc. I was a Union man as an
employe, and will be one as an employ
er. Even with limited means and
building up as / arn, the faithful, con-
ct no