The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-18
A Good Editor.
Yankee Blade,

The requisites of good editor seem to be the topic of general discussion which is gradually moving like a storm center, through the press of the country. It seems to be discussion to which every paper is expected td add its mite. So a slight treatment of this topic will be in harmony with the current newspaper fashion.
 A guest once entered the dining room ot hotel and asked for "every- thing" The waiter brought him hash. This act showed the walters knowl- edge of the composite and multifarious nature of this mysterious compound. Now what hash is to the world of food so is a good editor to the world of men. Pursuing the analogy of the dining room, it may be remarked that the good editor is as infrequent as good hash. There is or can be no per- lection in either; and by either can only approximate excellence be at- tained. Doubtless Mrs. Parloa can give recipe for preparing this favor ite sustenance of our dyspeptic nation; and so it is easy to give the compo- nent ingredients of good editor; but there is often serious mistakes made in the mixing.
 A good editor, first of all, should be limitless reservoir for receiving ad- vice. Into this all-receiving tank will be poured, in copious streams, the suggestions of cranks of all degrees of insanity enthusiasts of large hearts and small heads will deposit their long cherished, but impracticable schemes; hamlet autocrats and village philosophers will send in their mes sages that seem almost like an inspira- tlon to the worshipers of their neigh borhood, but which would appear very crude and fallible when placed before the eyes of the nation. But the editor should take all this advice, as the ocean takes it's rivers, and still re- tain his own saline and individual flavor.
 An editor should not be SO very pro- found. A man about town should not dress in full evening suit. An editor whose business is to talk to everybody should not betray the accent of the school and the subtle intonation of the salon. "He vas friend of man and lived in house by the side of the road," wrote Homer many centuries ago. An editor should be friend of man and live in house by the side of the road and not attempt the inaccess- ible mountain peaks of thought to commune with clouds and lightning. An editor should aim to be understood rat nor fhQn Q6rorro1 on1 !. sire reputation for sense rather than philosophy. Wisdom is doubtless de- sirable, but effects it's purpose quicker when clothed in the garb of wit.
 He should know how to say things. An editor must be a word artist, a cunning moulder of phrases. He must be gothic and not classic in his word structures, with sharp cornices and friezes, with jagged and unsuspected towers. He must be interesting or be content with small subscription list. A reader enjoys shock better than a soporific and it is nice question for ethics to settle whether it is not bet ter to intoxicate than to drug a man. The American people read too much; and over readers, like over-eaters, re- quire much spice, pepper, and condi- ment.
 An editor is necessarily a sciolist. He should possess superficial knowl- edge of all things, and should be able to use that knowledge at all times, without a moments warning and without special effort. His pen should transcribe the image of his thought as quick as the sun casts shadow. Rapidity is his golden virtue The firstlings of his heart must be the firstliDgs of his hand and he has no time to transform his thoughts in the alchemy of reflection. Lack of time must be his spur and the cry for "copy" his inspiration. He must be as healthy as an immortal god.