Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-08

The critics of the newspaper press are
many, but not always SO well informed
! regarding the subject of their criticism
as they should be; consequently, they
are often wrong. Considering that the
severest critics of the newspapers are of
the pulpit, it is pleasant to find so emf
nent clergyman as Rev. George S. Horr
of Boston speaking, out of his accurate
knowledge of them, in the language of
judicious and deserved commentator.
Al a public dinner given the other day,
Mr.. Horr, in response to the toast "The
Press" said:
''People are very apt to blame editors
for the scandalous matter that is found
in newspapers and yet if they could for
little while step inside of the editorial
office and see how much salacious matter
is suppressed, how editors have put
within their hands weapons to strike
down regulations and characters, and
see how that matter is put into the waste
basket, think, instead of so much pro-
miscuous condemnation of the press, you
would wonder that the press of the coun-
try, take it all through, is as good as it
is. 1t is testimonial not only to the
morality and high principle of editors,
but to the moral tone of the community,
which is constantly demanding that
newspapers shall not be salacious and
| scandalous."
1t should be said, in justice to them,
that very few of the critics of the news
papers have enjoyed Rev. Horrs privi-
lege of being made familiar with the
inside of editorial rooms. They base
thier criticisms upon the public journals
which are laid before them In some
they see those things which obviously
should be left out, though we do not
think many newspapers which are con-
sidered respectable and which are read
by respectable persons often offend by
publishing salacious matter. In journals
which are well thought of there may too
| frequently be seen scandalous, flippant
articles, or such as invade the sanctity of
homes and personal character, the publ
cation of which does not honor journal
ism, but even these offences of part of
the press are becoming less common. A
higher and better ideal of newspaper
work is controlling the minds of those
who control American journalism. The
press is not at all perfect. 1t still posi-
bly, errs against wisdom in many ways,
but not in so many ways, nor so griev-
ously as it did in its earlier state. The
improvement in the general spirit of
journalism is not only proceeding con-
tinually, but to a marked degree.
AS Mr.. Horr says, the reading public
see only the worst of the editors work
when it sees something which has escap-
ed his scrutiny, possibly at late hour of
the night, when all is hurry and con-
! fusion, and when both his brain and
hand are tired, or which he has con-
sidercd neither in good conscience nor
wisdom. What the reader never sees,
or knows about, is the great mass of
rejected matter-rejected because of ats
lack of human interest, or that it is
salacious, scandalous, sensational, per-
sonal or inspired by either viciousness,
malice or ignorance. That which is
permitted to go into the respectable
newspaper appears to be great in guam
tity, but it is often much less in quantity
than that which does not 90 in, and
which the editor, respecting his office
and jealous of the good influence of his
newspaper, has thrown aside.
The critics of the newspapers are no
doubt right to insist that the improve
ment shall be carried further, and it will
be, and not the less speedily, because of
the criticism of those of wise, honest
judgment. There are many public Jour
nails in this country which long ago
proved that newspaper may be wholly
| void Of salaciousness, scandal or sensa-
! tionalsm, and be rs interesting as, or
even more interesting than, if it pander-
ed to vicious taste. AS rule, we are
convinced the tendency in every re-
putable editorial Office is to present a
newspaper clean and good, and worthy
the favor of those of the best intelligence
and highest morality .-Phila. Public
Ledger.