The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-27

newspaper. and it should expect TO pay just az
much as any merchant grocer or foreign adver-
tiser for the space it occupies. And the man
who stands on the street corner and talks about
the paper hogging all the money the committee
has raised, ought to be permitted to stand there
and talk himself to death, or else be quietly re-
moved to one OF the new hospitals for the in
curaby Insane.
Third-Newspaper interests should be more
carefully guarded by the Legislature. On top
of the Grubbs libel law came the Jaw prohibiting
Indiana newspapers from publishing lottery adj
vertisements, but permitting Ohio, Illinois and
Kentucky newspapers to circulate unrestrained,
with additional lottery advertisements to supply
the deficiency Of such matter in the Hoosier
press. / would not ask that the inhibition
against lottery advertising be repealed in Indi-
ana, but have asked, and other editors have
asked, unavailingly, for two years. that such ac-
ton be taken as will prevent competing newspa-
per publishers in adjacent States from enjoying
the usufruct of the lottery business in Indiana.
The Grubbs libel law Is considered unfair, harsh
and proscriptive by newspaper men generally.
There are places where the interests Of the peo-
pie and the press are identical, and yet the Cen
eral Assembly has overlooked them. For exam
ple it is not required by law that all allowances
made by township trustees should be published.
In the light. of recent Developments, it is
clear the taxpayers would save money
by having township allowances published the
same as those of Commissioners courts Also,
in regard to sheriffs sales, where the property
tisement should be inserted in daily as well as
weekly paper. And IL all sherifs' sales were
published in both daily and weekly papers 1t
would be to the advantage of all concerned, for
capitalists and spectators. as rule, reside in
towns, and the property advertised would at.
tract more bidders and bring higher prices. The
compensation for the publication of the delin-
quent list Is now inadequate 1t ought to be
charged at the same rates as sheriffs' sales, re-
CARELESS Of descriptions. This is also true of
notices of final settlements of estates The pend
ing amendment to the State Constitution, max
ing all county Offices of equal length flour years.
and limiting their incumbency to one term. is of
sufficient Importance to newspaper men to war
rant their serious attention.
Fourth-Party patronage should be bestowed
upon the basis OF party service. When an cleo
ton is over it often happens that an officer who
could not have been elevated to his position
newspaper assumes that the printing he controls
is his personal perquisite Without regard to
the interest of the public or the harmony and
strength OF the party he proceeds to give or
withhold, as suits his lordly will. If the party
newspaper has been neutral in the contest for
the nominations, as it should be, this officer may
refuse 1T any patronage he controls because it
did not advocate his personal claims. This is
manifestly destructive to all party cooperation,
and the masses of the party should resent it as
Injurious to the whole organization.
Fifth-The newspaper should be circulated
more freely by central committees. In party
work the newspaper is the only continuous force
Central committees are spasmodic in their nature.
They are organized for as.lgle campaign, and their
period OF activity ia limited to but few months
at the most Owing to this temporary character
OF central committees. their vision and objects
are circumscribed to the single campaign in
which they are personally interested They de-
sire to succeed then, and bend every energy to
that point. eagerly grasping at every straw
that promises immediate results, and are too
often oolivious or disrsgardful of the permanent
and enduring factors in the success of the party.
The circulation of the local newspaper amongst
doubtful voters is regarded as slow process in
comparison with the use of money in some other
ways. But this slow way was the method of the
founders of the Republican party. 1t ap-
peals to the reason, the heart the
patriotism of the people. Where an impression
is once made by public speech or newspaper
article the work accomplished is permanent and
enduring, and helps the party by an ever-widen-
ing circle of influence, as one campaign succeeds
another. But If you buy a man once, you must
buy him ever afterwards. The time to make
converts is Immediately before the battle, while
men are approachable and their prejudices and
preconceived opinions are dormant When the
political combat deepens and passions are
aroused, speeches. newspapers and brass bands
are useful in holding voters together and bring
ing them to the polls but it is then too late to
change mems minds. Republican literature
should now be circulated amongst the doubtful
voters of the State. The present moment, and
all these months while Congress is in session and
the issues of 1886 are being formed, is the golden
opportunity to SOW the seeds of Republicanism
broadcast among the people Will the central
committees do it9 They can raise the money if
they want to, in earnest. and it will be product
i've of the best results of any like sum they will
expend during the entire campaign.
In conclusion, do not wish to be understood
as advocating non-partlsan newspapers. l be-
lieve the great body of the people of Indiana
want party newspapers; regular, reliable, con-
slant advocates of their party principles, meas
ures and men. The sphere of the partisan news
paper is honorable and useful. My object is to
free it from abuses and hindrances, render it
more effective and influential for the party, and
more satisfactory and profitable to the publisher.
In the discussion which followed Mr.. CARRIERS
address, Mr.. George M. Allen, of the Terre
Haute Express asked for an expression of opin-
ion on the universal pension bill There was a
division Of sentiment, some favoring and some
opposing the proposition, but those who in
dorsed the idea thought that the bill should
pension only those soldiers who have been in
active service.
A committee consisting of Messrs. johnson,
CARRIER, Halford, Stivers and Martin was APP
pointed to submit to the next Legislature needed
legislation for the regulation of public printing
In his address on the question, How Far Can
Newspaper Afford to be Partisan9" Mr. c.
Ricketts,. of the Columbus Republican. said:
paper that is strictly newspaper, and moth
ing else, may be non-partisan and fulfill the OBJ
ject of its existence. but if it pretsnds to be a
political teacher at ALL as most papers do it
must be partisan to succeed. The American
people are all politicians. They take to politics
naturally as duck to its favorite element,
and almost as early They are also practical
and attach themselves to one party or the
other the better to carry out and enforce
their political views Papers are established and
maintained not merely to carry the news, but to
teach and uphold certain political principles; to
support one party or the other. if you please
If this is what is meant by partisanship, paper
can afford to be squarely and emphatically parti-
san-cannot afford to do otherwise. AS pre-
requisite, paper should honestly believe
in the superiority of the principles of
the party to which it adheres then
stand for them against all enemies, in
sunshine and storm. Most men have positive
vie,xs ON nnlitical affairs and thau mint q xa.a.