The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
woman as a Journalist.


York Herald Says on the Subject.
DR.. Hepworth, OF TIE Herald, peeds
no introduction, as HE clerical duties, his
books and lectures to young men have
made him known throughout the country.
DIR. Hepworth Is quoted by all who have
met him as possessing the manners of q
Chesterfield. He is Of strikingly intel.
lectual appearance, and invites confidence
at sight.
" Be seated please" he said kindly, as
l entered the editorial office With him
l resolved to try other tactics than those I
had pursued with his great rival. So
said
" DR.. Hepwortb, I want position OF
The Herald.
" Yes?' inquiringly looking up with
an encouraging smile, and adjusting his
glasses as If to get better view of the
one who had made such bold demand.
q" What can you do?'
" Anything, replied, with a oandor
that was probably about as startling as it
was true.
well that's what The Herozd is in
search of. We want talent, and we are
always glad to give every body a trial.
Sometimes we are compelled to search Tor
the person we desire. Mr.. Bennett has
told me to allow every reporter to try
writing editorials. I try first one and
then another; and what,a I am disap-
pointed times innumerable? I am bound
some time, to find the talent we are in
pursuit OF, and when that occurs the re.
porter chosen has secured himself a per
manent position. Just as soon as the man
with that talent is found I'll transfer him
from the reporters room to the editorial
desk.
DO you object to women entering
newspaper life?"
mo, do not object; but still there
are many things about it not suitable for
women. l could not think of sending one
to the police or higher criminal courts.
as l could a man. Even if I did, the Of
fcials there would give her as little infor-
nation as they could, in order to get rid
of her, and very likely, lust as she was
leaving, the most important news would
take place. Now male reporter would
stay there and hear and Judge of the
cases for himself. AS all that the paper
cares for Ia the news it could not afford
to be represented by one continually
liable to lose important information. But
crime and criminals, though important, do
not engross all our columns, and there IA
much other work women can do, and do
well. In this respect l might specify the
gathering and writing of clerical, fashion
and society news. Until, however, the
public demand different kind of news. 80
long will women be unable to serve as all
around reporters. The very sources from
winch we obtain larger portion of our
news render 1T an impossible field for a
woman. On account of the sensations
and :he scandals which are demanded by
the present popular taste, a gentleman
could not, IL delicacy, ask woman to
have anything to do with that class of
news. That is what bars her from repor-
torial success, absolutely"
DO you favor employing women upon
the work they can do P"
Yes because on such news matters
they are preferable to men. But, 90 you
know, they are restraint in an officer
Iho men do not feel at liberty to take of
their coats or rest their feet on the desks:
and them might as well add-they are
TOO much OF guard morally. When
they are within hearing men cannot give
vent to their feelings in the language all
grades OF angry men employ; oonse-
quently the result is apt often to be
serious. Here he looked mp in halt
dubious manner, as if to zee what effect
the statement had.
Then, If you are not opposed to wo
men, why don't you employ more2"
" Because, the work which they can
properly do being limited, there is no de.
mand for their services. We have
woman, an old journalist, whom We are
sending to Ireland. If a woman has the
ability and the same means of seeming
news as a man, she has the same chance
upon TIE Herald What we demand is
the best, and we don't care what form it
comes IN. When we find what we want
we are willing to keep it at any price"
Nellie Bly, IN PiHsJurg Dispatch.