The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-10
THE COUNTRY EDITOR.
His influence Strong and Constant for>his.
Towns Geod-A Man Whose Mind Is e
Never at Rest, Whose Work Is Never y
Done.

Towns Geod-A Man Whose Mind Is
Never at Rest, Whose Work is Never
Done.
Who can adequately describe the
labor OF the country editor vino is de-
voted to his profession? His work is
never done. His mind is never at rest.
He is constantly on the alert for ma
teriai for his paper. He wears his
nerves on the surface, sensitive to
every move about him. He works
where other people play, and the lux
ury OF absolute rest, with freedom from
worry, is, alas all too rarely expe-
rlenced by him. Do you think it an
easy matter to collect seven or eight
columns Of local news and to put it
IN readable shape within a week? Do
you realize that for almost every one of
the hundreds of different statements of
facts the editor has had to walk a con-
siderable distance and to make personal
inquiry? Do you realize that the mat
ter thus iaboriously collected, bit by
OFT, when written out; makes more
lines IN type than the sermons of any
munster IN the conlmunity2 Do you
realize that the EDITORS writings would
make score or more of good sized
volumes every year?
But all the work thus irnperfectly
described is the least of the labors of
che average country editor. How
easily, how joyfully would he do all
this If it were all he had to do. All.
friends, the real work, the real anxiety
OF the country editor are to the world
an unwritten book, but to him an ever
torturing actuality. Some parts of this
hidden work we cannot willingly write
about, for they are too painful but let
us glance at some of the things referred
10. The country editor has to manage
his business. He solicits advertise
ments, and spends hours in the work
OF convincing men against their wills
that it is to their interest to keep their
names and wares before the public; he
spends days and days talking with men
to induce them to become subscribers
and Slowly builds up list of names for
his paper he doubles this work when
1t comes to collecting the money for Z
MS advertisements and his subscrip-
tions, tramping miles and miles and
wasting many precious hours trying
to get hold of few dollars with
which to meet obligations that are
pressing him, wolf like, and racking
his mind with perplexity and fear.
That is the work which makes the
country editor old before his time, that
oftentlmes puts him in hun1ilating
attitude before business men and fills
his heart with the bitterness of des-
pair.
HIS HELPFUL INFLUENCE.
ana the influence OF the country ,
editor-who can estimate it? It is the
greatest force in any community. The
work Of all the ministers cannot equal
the influence Of the country editor. :
Ihe spoken word will never equal the
written one in effectiveness and perma-
nent value; and all the congregations
IN town cannot equal, in number,
the auditors of the editor. He speaks
weekly to thousands of people where
the ministers talk to hundreds. We /.
bring the ministers into this discus
sion, not to belittle their work. but to
make a comparison that will be GEN
orally understood.
The influence of the country editor
IS nearly always helpful good news
paper will do more for town than any
other one influence. Is there fospit-
Il to be built? The editor presents the
necessity for it, kindiing in every mind
desire to see the institution estab-
lshed; points out the way for accom-
olishing the object desired and helps
llong every scheme for farthering the
'ause. Are selfish men planning to
inc their pockets with scheme that
will injure instead of benefit the town? =
The editor exposes the plot and awak-
ms the opposition of the people. Is
here a fair in progress for the benefit
If church or town ibrarye The
dito1 boons it, gets everybody inte- &
ested and in sympathy with the mat
er and turns the golden tide in the
roper direction. He helps along the
ocal charities and all worthy institu- 81
ions; he keeps the people informed
bout each other and alive to the in
erests of their town his influence is
5rong, constant and for the well being
f his town.