The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-08-25
A CHAPTER ON NEWSPAPERS.


the proprietors of it. But those who make
use Of it on the outside scarcely ever com
prehend what it involves. The work and
expense of publishing and carrying on to
success a great daily journal, if they could
be placed on paper, would make an array
that would seem fabulous, and in every in
stance there is great outlay which must
be met and carried by the proprietors until
the point as to whether it will prosper
or not is settled. In this respect a great
paper is like big silver mine-all that is
invested may be so much thrown away, but
the hope, in fact the determination that it
shall be otherwise nerves the owners to
continue with the expectation of reaching
the goal at last: if they never do, this is
simply throwing so much good money after
bad; but no matter; the chance must be
taken, for to quit at any intermediate time
means that what has been invested so
far is gone beyond redemption, and
any further investments may be also,
but they are the only hope. 1t is clear
case of HoBsoN's choice.
Some of the New York journals are
described as veritable gold mines, but it
has cost fabulous sums to found them.
ERAsTUs BROOKS, the veteran newspaper
man, said that he had seen 100 daiiies
established in the metropolis and only six
of them are now in existence. During his
experience at least S25, 0OO0 900 went out of
the pockets of publishers who were vainly
endeavoring to fill long-felt wants. There
is perhaps no business in the world so de-
ceptive as that of running newspaper.
One great drawback to the business is the
ambition of those who desire to become
publishers. In the face of all the prece-
dents Of the past, examples Of the present
and advice and warning from kind friends
who have either "been there" themselves or
had self-control enough to keep out, the
ranks of this gentry steadily increase.
There is an impression universally pre-
yalent, and no where more than in Utah,
that all that is needed in the construction
Of a newspaper is a few handfuls OF type
any kind of old press that will do the work.,
and bundle of paper; but, as is more fire.
quently the case, the latter is not re-.
quisite in this day of ready prints or
I'patent insides," as they are more COM
monty called. But little if any thought is
given to what we may properly call the
soul of the new creation-the editorial
work; the rustic is thoroughly saturated
with the idea that anything emanating from
him will ''go'' with the public, they can't
fail to subscribe and advertise at paying
rates, and the result is another badly
printed, patched up, Unlocking, newsless
srip sv,cy 4ho han dc NJ
the editor which is either readable, instruc-
tive or scholarly. When blank failure
and the utter encouragement of the one
who engages in the venture is not recorded
within o short time as the result, he ekes
out miserable existence, living generally,
If the paper be his dependence, no better
than the man who digs bitches and
builds fences for an existence. All the
time he is complaining that the public do
not appreciate his efforts, but the fact is
more likely that they do appreciate them.
The public, says an authority on the subject
Of journalism, and THE HERALD endorses
the statement, will read and patronize any
good, well-conducted newspaper, provided
il makes an effort to secure the news. But
Just what is "news" has racked the brain
Of more than one publisher. News in one
locality. is not news in another. A scandal
that would satisfy one portion of the com
munity offends another portion. Tattle
and gossip which is eagerly relished by
some is tabooed by others. If paper
mentions surgical operation performed by
some physician the whole medical fratern-
ity becomes jealous of him and they vent
their spite on the paper for bringing him
into prominence. If newspaper is poor
it is cIassed as beggar and has no stand
ing in the community. If it is in easy cir
cumstances, and insists on being treated
fairly, its proprietors are voted aristOcratic
and not worthy the patronage of the public,
and so it goes.
Another thing that is generally over
looked and without which no paper can
thrive, is the good will of the COM
munity. 1t is fact that it cannot survive
very long without it, and certainly no
paper that ever persistently abuses the
public confidence can live long. When
once a popular movement is begun in the
neighborhcod, one that has the backing and
support of the more influential, popular and
wealthy citizens, to go against it for the
sake Of some trihing gain coming from an
other direction, or for notoriety, or from
any cause at all, is simply suicide; and to
court the favor of few who through sell
fish motives or otherwise are seeking to
''run the place" contrary to the will and
determination Of the majority because per
haps they throw stray bone now and then
to the hungry public, is at once to settle
down to steady diet Of bones.
The writer of this has been connected
with more than one paper and knows
whereof he speaks community that is
not "wide'' enough in point Of numbers,
wealth, intelligence and public spiritedness
TO support good paper, should not have
one forced upon it; and certainly it is the
poorest way in the world to get it into the
right position to foist upon tia little six-by-
nine sheet the only readable part of which
is the half printed in Chicago or elsewhere
than in the Office; or even if this be not re-
sorted to, to give them homemade pro-
duction which contains local news from
Arabia, editorials whose friendly faces are
quickly recognized because of having been
met before, stale clippings, bad print, ad-
vertisements whose very appearance is
suggestive of raid on the ''hell box and
so on.
There are not too many newspapers, as
has frequently been remarked. There are
100 many publications Of no consequence
and serving no useful purpose which call
themselves newspapers, however. Publi
cations are like women, they are either
0nnd or had and II rnnst he admitted ON ell