Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-18
PRESS PROGRESSION.

Amos P Wilder of the New Haven Pal
iddione has been lecturing at the East upon
modern journalism. He takes the position
that the tone of journalism in the last few
years has changed for the better. We are
glad to find one journalist who has the
courage to take the stand against and face
commonly received opinion that the conduct
of newspapers has not only declined in
morals, but that in style the press has re-
trograded. We are perfectly aware of the
venality that exists in journalism, or that
which apes the title, and that there are
men by the hundred who own and use the
press for the purposes of the most vicious
character, and prostitute it to the worst
style Of the 'slam-bang" order of writing.
We are not surprised that public and many
business men who are brought into con-
tact with this class, record verdict of con-
domination in their souls against the news
papers of the land in general. Yet, if
these men will pause in justice to examine
the matter in the calm of the judicial atti-
tude, they will discover that it is not the
profession of journalism that makes the
man venal, and that after all the con-
scienceless class that comes to them in the
livery of the press is not disproportionate
to vicious development in all other walks
and vocations. But taking the truly rep
resentative press, eliminating the mounte-
banks, quacks, imposters and maskers, and
the newspaper people of the age hold their
own with other callings in respectability,
honesty and scholarship, and are in adj
vance of their predecessors in legitimate
enterprise, business ability, aggressiveness
for the right, fearlessness in the face of
danger and menace by vice, elearness and
vigor in the style of writing, skill in news
gathering and the breadth of ability to
discuss public questions. Mr.. Wilder puts
it that sthe Bohemian with his vices and
his vulgarity is passing off the scene" We
think we see evidences of this. The rep
resentatiye of the vulgar still fingers;
few so-called sensational journals cater to
what they assume to be the popular taste
and dish up the impure and indecent in
such plenitudc that the public stomach is
in revolt. Filth may not have had its
full day in the press, but assuredly the
line is now being more sharply drawn than
ever before between the newspaper fit for
the household and that adapted to the
tastes Of the brothel and the slums. There
is growing demand for the dignifed,
bright, incisive and spirited newspaper,
and growing distaste for the organ of i'm
pudicity and decentralization. While we
have not much faith in the ability of col
leges to train to journalism, ii is signif-
cant fact that the establishment of chairs
of Journalism in some of the foremost in
situations Of learning in this country is re-
ceived with favor. 1t is indicative Of the
real demand of the public for better tone
in the press, and it testifies also to the fact
that this demand is being responded to.
There is another evidence of the correct
ness of Mr.. Wilder's position-that the
journals of the day that are recognized as
opponents of public opinion, that are i'm
portant factors in the activities of the age
and are recognized as powers in political
and social movements, are not those of the
sensational and vituperative order, nor yet
those that cater to vulgar taste and find
their largest clientage among readers