New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-24
MAXIMS OF THE PRESS.
DISCUSSED BY MIR. MURAT HALsrEAD.
ADDRESS BEFORE THE WISCONSIN PRESS Asso-
CIATION--Mn r,n,,a nrAYINa nrrrrrrrun


cIAT1oN-MR. DANA's MAxIMs REVIEWED.
Madison. Wis, Jan oa.-The members Of the Wis
consn Press Association to-day listened to an address
Dy Mr. Murat Halstead of Cincinnati, In which Mr.
Dahss famous newspaper maxims were reviewed and
commented upon. The address was In part as fol.
lows:
IL there Is to be profit in our coming together, any
merit or possible usefulness in speaking, It viii be
IN plain dealing with things they are. II was no.
long ago systematically said, in connection that
while It had political aspect need not now be no
saiued as partisan utterance-the remark was made
W me citizen chosen to be tho next President Of the
ohl'ed states-that certain gentlemen were devoted
70 maxlms rather than to markets. Both tho maxlms
ana the markets need 10 be studied. I shall rectto
ana annotate some Of the maxms declared by tho
distinguished editor, Mr. Charles A. Dana Said no
l. Get the news, get all the news, and nothing but
'ne news Now, II always could know what the
news Is, II we could be at once quick precise and
comprehensive about II, that would be a send-oa Is
news Identified with legislation and diplomacy casual
'e' hres, wars, personallties-with gossip theatrical
gossip OF the courts, rumors from Washington, Paris
Berlin Londml What news is there. or IS there not
III an idea sentiment poem, In a garden. or an
orchard red or white with blossoms, field glitter
ing with the silver tasselng eof the corn, or the
goiden pillows Of the wheaton is IL waited in the
airs OIL summer, whlred In the storms OF winters
whoever yet knew Just what all tho news' wss7
IL Is telling too much to say We must got all the
news and nothing but the nows' No sheet would
DC sufficient to contain It.
2 Copy nothing from another publication with
out perfect credits Sometimes It is the highest
nattery not to give credit, and have known in
formation credited TO newspaper that the journal
hsen would gladly have discredited 1t is not always
compliment TO fasten all the facts upon a news
paper the false show Of truth that NAV have mlsed
the able editor Perfect credit" would seem to DO
an an, exact phrase, but when we come to analysis
and cloudy very H'f this Ga mas and do vn vague
Ial as to declare that you must not publish intelligence
"i;hOat Ns giving perfect authority for Il
cage and consent of the party interviewed" This
a r. S SS55 a n and 4 is NOT certain
Who md the Interview convenient In making informal
iamsfions 9isen more important than official proc,
pleasing to him who IS interviewed, and valuable TO
R Re ast y and that give; the greatest charm to
report Oh tho seemingly unintentonal conversation OF
The subtle gentleman who IS giving the information
matter Lct every advertisement appear as an adj,
venn no sailing under false eoorsa Once
70 establish that great principle, and have receded
IRON n ~ yielding 70 the material manifestation OF gen
Gordon Bennett, Mr.. Dana and myself formed tho
gnadrlateral In which this fourth maxim was fortified
NY corner is broken and abandoned have been
constrained TO associate with experience In journalism
,1e 9dVS8cemeht Of great principles With pesunary
editor takes Of his hat holds the opinion that when
nc mas pdld LOT : certain amount OF space, he has
rights In srrlnsn, The form In which his contribution
shall be presented, that II may receive the favor Of
me me p9p ,S ge percentage Of the people think
objection II some OF them should ind out that the
advertiser occasionally dictates the editorialsi is
a sense OF personal and journalistic responsibility
We not trust " IN moral safety the palate Of the public
70 relish or reject according TO tho bill Of fare is
not the advertisement that Is in the deepest dis guso
reading matter after all, only the more obvious ad
,NollsementI III ono NAV be permitted TO speak Of
advertisement news matter has nos been SO In
Pofant as the printing Of advertisements that are not
years under ms Immediate observation has boon the
printing OF free advertisements. IL Is not question
apparent advertisements for which no charge IS made
and THIS seems TO pay Tho enterprsing publisher,
OF ,ayors by acceptance OF alleged advertisements as
form Of nows How FAR shall we assert or assume
10 be held liable for the seraeliy Of gentleman who
announces that he has Invented pill that win
heirs ii IS not true, OF course but does Il not
eneciually contradict itsefi Shall go Staying the
Amend this maxim by saying: Don't undertake too
much or, II We may put II In the most homely way
distortion
Fifih maxim Never attack tho weak or defence
less either by argument by invective or by ndlcule
unless there Is some absolute public necessity for
d ing there can never be an absolute public neccs
them, defend them always II there is any SURE
maxim Of duty 4 is TO ait tho weak and defend the
Sins have fnund them out we need not Affect tho
divinity Of forgiveness II IS the wisdom OF this
world That takes hold lofter things to afford at
least the pteoH help OF human charity to the broken
and the poor.
have no critical observation to make Of the other
maxims declared BY Mr.. Dana They are good. and
cordially sympathlze with the seventh: Support
your party, II you have But do not think all |
The good In IT,, and all ths bad outside
OF ~ one who gave good many years 20 indie
pendent journalism preached H. and strove 10 prac-
tss ithed that tho true position Of tho Journalist
was outside aud above pares-that the greater the
men Of the party the greater the necessity for hostile
watchfnness, and for holding them In restraint by
healthiu seventies; that the more certain the party
was good, the clearer the duty TO inform It OF IT'S
iaus-one with such experience may speak of this
theory with freedom. The difficulty Is that profes-
sional and dominating independence incnes 10 the
habit OF fauthndlng and leaves the fault finder hang
Ing rather 20 tho finges, or wandering on the edges
Of affairs, than taking them by the handle or the
better way 10 go with parties TO be devoted to hen
the inside OF hem 10 make the best OF them, stick
TO them, maintaining their discipline asserting tho
party according 20 his principles, or IL Is not proper
citizenship or fair journalism to maintain it--nOt |
honest 70 assert n II the party VIII 60 nteschaby
What IS the Office what Is the dignity Of the press
What Is its authority What shall DO IT'S ruling |
motives It's higher accomplishments The pross |
not make n partales OF the character OF the people
The real platform OF political party coming before
the country and asking the confidence Of the majority
Is found I'm tho formal phrases that politicians
prepare 10 suit the occasion II Is the character of
the party that should DO taken into account when |
Us merits are measured and its destinies balanced
mated for an Office with the broadcast responsibilities,
grasplng the gravest public trusts, that Is 70
OF h fitness or tho contrary, but II is the character
Of the man.
PRE- SEMINARY FOR BOYS AND GrRzs.
n .4.n Taan1. TO- q Dnpk