Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-02-28
THE TRAINING FOR JOURNALISM


Simple facility in writing clearly an
forcibly is, of course, an essential for sue
cess in all this, but it is only one essen
tial, and not the most important one
Many young man is turned into jour
nalism simply by finding that he pOssesse
this facility, but if this be the whole of o
the greater part of his equipment, he ma,
depend upon it, that, although he ma.
easily earn livelihood, he will neve
achieve distinction nor rise to the highe
or more trusted places in the profession
To achieve distinction he must have
good stock of knowledge in certain fields
of which the chief are modern history
political economy, law, jurisprudence anC
English literature. Whatever knowledge
he has on any of these subjects he mus
have within easy reach; that is, if it is no
in his head, he must know where to get it
But the young journalist who thinks he
can continue to hold high place without
incessantly adding to the stock of knowl
edge with which he started, deceiveS him
self greatly. limo calling is the reading
of books so necessary, in order to keeE
the mind stocked with ideas and sugges
tions and illustrations.
The young journalist who gives up
reading books or pursues no line of study
and contents himself as many do, with
getting mental nourishment by "loOkin9
through the exchanges" very soon degen-
crates into mere hack writer capable
of producing slipshod and windy yerbi-
age which fills space, but which dwells
in no ones mind after the paper is thrown
aside. Nothing does more to produce
mental laziness and make ones knowl-
edge of things hazy than exclusive news
paper reading.
If there be any such thing as special
preparation for journalistic work, it is
undoubtedly the study of law. 1 do not
know of a better mode of getting ready
for journalism, especially for young
man whom facility in writing has made
eager to enter it, than a course in good
law school like that of Harvard, or Y ale,
or Columbia College.
Burke, perhaps, exaggerated when he
said the law is "a science which does
more to quicken and invigorate the un-
derstanding than all the other kinds of
learning put together" but it certainly
does more to quicken and invigOrate the
understanding than any other kind of
learning the young journalist is likely to
cultivate or be able to reach. There is
hardly any question Of the day which a
journalist is called on to discuss in the
United States, which has not legal as
pect, or legal history, or is not in some
way affected by legislation or judicial in
1t is, therefore, most desirable that the
journalist, if he does not know much law,
should be familiar with the lawyers way
of looking at things, and with the way
in which the courts attack the various
social and political problems which are
presented to them in litigation.
THE HANDS OF PROMINENT MEN
From the New York Sun.
BENZ. F. BUTLER has hand like
dough ball.
SECRETARY BAYARD has hand like
Henry Clay's.
LAWRENCE BARRETT trims his nails
to suit his moods.
WHEN excited in debate the hands of
Sunset Cox become eloquent in their in
A MODERN belle is not more fastidious
and exacting with her manicure than is
Mr.. Berry Wall.
WILLIAM K. VANDERBILT has large,
square hands, but he manages to warm
both at the fire of life.
WILLIAM NJ. EvARTs has habit of
his hands together, with sort
Of What can l do for you" air.
A HAND which describes the very poe
try of motion is that of Edwin Booth
1t is one any woman might envy.
DR.. PAxToN's hands look as if they
might toss baseball with as much relish
IS they punctuate his pulpit oratory.
PREsIDENT-ELECTB BEN HARRISON has
4 hand firm enough to keep the powers
behind the throne in the background.
JAY GOULD is in a perpetual state of
warfare by trying to prevent his left hand
from knowing all the secret corners "
1f his right.
DIR. 7. DEWITT TALMAGE has hand
hat comes down like a pile-driver when
The Brooklyn dominic wishes to empha-
size point.
LIKE Uriah Heep, Oscar Wilde has
yhostly, clammy hand, which makes one
feel like rubbing his afterward to warm
It, or to rub his off.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND gives one a
zeal Captain Cutie grasp with his large
chubby hand, which makes one feel that
lis.heart has been the prompter.
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS had hands
30 thin and bony that they looked like
skeletons, but they were always ready to
minister to the wants of the suffering.
A HAND which bespeaks the man is
hat of Henry NJ. Stanley. When he takes
yours between both of his, he establishes
I current of geniality which fingers long
after the act.
HENRY IRVING, the actor, gives one
Mr.. Merdle shake, his hands seeming to
'etreat up his coat sleeve, leaving the
honor to his cuffs, except when diplo-
macy dictates more suitable form.
JUSTICE L. Q. c. LAMAR has hand
Is soft as a woman's, but his manner of
shaking hands always suggests DR.. Chill
ps in David Copperfield, he seems reliev- |
ID when he gets his hand safely back.
Col. JAMES A. WOOD died recently
It his home in Bloomfield, KY, aged "A
years. Col. Wood went to Texas in 1885 |
md took part in the rebellion against
Mexico. He was at the massacre of the
he Alamo, and with two others escaped,
hey being the only survivors of that |
bloody event. Col Wood, in his account
If his escape, said that when Santa
Anna ordered the prisoners to be shot
le dropped to the ground, as if he had /
,oo,, ly;IIo1 Of tho fret dicahar0p He 4