Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-25
GENERAL TOPICS.
Journalism Not Learned in
Schools.
THE NEWSPAPERS OF AMERICA.
Ben Harrison Does the Handshaking
Act-R0w in COlOred
Convention.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

Convention.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
MILWAUKEE, July 24.-Charles A..
Dana, editor of the New York Sun, de-
livered an address this evening to the
Wisconsin Editorial Association. The
speaker said he began newspaper work
on weekly literary paper, which meant
that it was issued once every week.
I Laughter. In modern newspapers the
mechanical and intellectual departments
joined to produce the daily papers of to-
day, make them one of the wonders of the
world. He paid tribute to reporters. A
good word was also put in for editorial
writer's and correspondents, the latter of
whom covered the earth in their search
for facts. The modern paper is possibly
only in thickly settled civilization, which
demands it. 1t is mark of high intel.
lectual development that country de-
mands such publication.
AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS AHEAD.
As compared with Europe, America
was far in advance. In the whole of the
British Islands there were not more than
half dozen papers which would COM
pare with those of this country. An at
mosphere of freedom was essential to the
production of great newspapers. A
distinction should be made between the
American and European definitions of
freedom. In France the daily paper
would have one well written essay, but
the remainder of the sheet would be
filed with matter which in America
would be considered immaterial. The
first think looked for was news, and by
that the speaker meant anything which
would interest the people. In this con-
nection he said whatever Divine provid-
ence permitted to occur he was not too
proud to report.
NEWSPAPER EDUCATION.
So important was the functions of the
newspaper that colleges were establish
ing classes for instruction in journalism
Notw outstanding this, Dana had heard
an old newspaper editor say such classes
were useless, because the only place to-
learn the business was in a newspaper
office. A remarkable thing about the ed
ucation of newspaper men was that it
should be universal. There was
no chance for an ignoramus in
that profession. The newspaper man
must know whether the theology of
preacher is sound, and whether the logic
of lawyer is good for anything. If pos
sible he should be sent to college, but
what was more important he should be
sent to the school of practical life. The
speaker didn't think college course in
journalism of much value. There were
no set maxims and rules for journalists.
The doctor and lawyer might have rules,
but there were very few rules that could
be used by newspaper men.
A FEW GENERAL RULES.
Mr.. Dana, however, submitted the fol-
lowing:
First-Get the news and get all the
news and nothing but the news.
Second-Copy nothing from other pub
lications without perfect credit.
Third-Never print an interview with
out the knowledge and consent of the
party interviewed.
Fourth-Never print a paid advertise
ment to'appear as not an advertisement !;
no sailing under false colors.
Fifth-Neyer attack the weak, the de-
fenseless, either by argument, by invec-
tive, or by ridicule, unless there is some
absolute public necessity for so doing.
Sixth-Fight for your opinions, but
don't believe they contain the whole
truth or only the truth.
Seventh-Support your party If you
have one, but don't think all the good
men are in it and all the bad ones out
side of it.
Eighth-Above all, know and believe
that humanity is advancing and that
there is progress in human life and hu-
man affairs, and that as sure as God
lives the future will be greater than the
present or past.
POWER OF THE PRESS.
Continuing, Mr.. Dana spoke of the
power of the press, by which he meant
its power of speaking the sentiment of
the people, the voice Of justice, the aspir-
alton of wisdom, the determination of
patriotism and the hope of the whole peo-
pie, and the great influence thereby WELD
ed. There is, he said another function of the
press which is perhaps even more import
ant. In this free country our Constitu-
ton puts into the hands of the Executive
Officers of the Government immense
authority. Suppose time should come
that there should be in the post Of the
President man who has gained such
influence over the hearts of the people
that they would become deaf to the sug-
gestions of wisdom and give to his
ambition free sway and an open field.
The executive power is in his hands;
the army follows and obeys him.
Where then is the safeguard of public
liberty against his ambition? 1t is in
the press it is in the free press, and
when every other bulwark is gone the
free press will remain to preserve the
liberties which we shall hand down to
our children and to maintain the Repub-
lie in all it's glory.
HARRISON SHAKES HANDS.
He Wants a Free Ballot and a Fair
Count.
INDIANAPOLIS, July PA delegation.