Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-18

tionable matter or indiscreet expressions,
and are frequently maTred by crudlties OF
style and even errors III grammar. Some
OF them may be corrected by Few marks
Of the pencil; others have TO be entirely
rewritten. These special dispatches. inter-
mingled with tho flow from the regular
press wire. make the telegraph editor re-
aliZe what il is to hustle"
A national or state convention always In
wolves a night of toll. There are correc-
tons, adds" inserts" substitutions,
and all manner Of changes sent from time
20 time during the night. These would be
bewildering il the telegraph editor per-
mitted himself % become Disappeared.
But he must keep his bead and be mas
ter Of the situation. tie must have
firm hand on al the strings and bring
order out Of chaos.
WE KNOW HOW IT'S.
As tho hour Of going TO press approaches
he must have his layout ready for the
foreman who makes up the forms, and
must be prepared TO answer on the instant
any question as TO the proper place forthls
or that speech. resolution, committee, or
nomination. The type IS scattered around
on twenty different galeys, and the
foreman 10 in a hurry, possibly nervous
and cross. There Is no time tor dclibe-
ration. Everything must be done with
the utmost prOmptitude, tor there - an
extra large edition TO PRINT, and the forms
must go tic press as carly 20 possible. All
this time the telegraph editor must keep
on a iog-trot from the imposing-stone TO
his own desk, for the Instruments clicking
at break-neclS speed, and fresh sheets OF
copy must be edited. marked with appro-
pirate add lines" and run out without
n moments delay. And if. as Is often the
case, the telegraph editor has TO read ms
own proofs, II may be rightly concluded
that his hands and head are full 70 over
flowing.
in the morning the readers Of the
Boomer see noevidence Of the toll or trou-
be They expect an orderly and sequen-
tial account of the WORK Of the convention
whose action they have been anxiously
awaiting, and they generally get II. They
also look. and 90 q rule find trustworthy
reports of the latest railway accident. a
great food which has carried death IN its
path, "a tornado a thousand miles distant,
list Of appointments 10y the President,
On election of officers by Some secret So
ciety-a score Of other events IN which
they have a personal Or general interest.
But few realize the labor. the pains the
anxiety, and the strain involved IN cover
ing the whole field and tho same time
performing the task with rapidIty and &C
curacy.
PFRpLENiIIES.
Porplexitos often present themselves in
the shape Of a sudden rush of advertise
ment- or a lengthy piece of local news,
either Of which may make inroads on the
space for telegraphic matter. In such
eases many dispatches must be rejected.
and 10 mako instant and wiae choice OF
what . print and what to discard requires
at times very nice exercise Of jud mont.
But dull night j. most 20 bee dreaded.
! There may be trouble ON the wirc,' ueccs-
stating suspension of work for two Orthree
| hours. or there may be doarth OF news.
| Considerable ingenuity Is required at SUCH
| times 70 give the telegraph page SEM
! blanco Of freshness and interest, and
| though the experienced editor has re-
sources which enable him 10 accomplish
this result with fair degree OF success,
| the situation il annoying. Far preferable
is the busy night. when the rush bc.0ns
early md continues late. when every nerve
| Is strained 10 keep uP with the pace when
the hand, eye, and brain arc kept On the
jump.
Tho telegraph editor must be well IN
! formed regarding the names of all promi-
nent people. the project with winch the}
are Identified their political or OF her ailli-
ations. and the special work i'm which they
may be from tine 10 time engaged. lie
must have . comprehensive knowledge OF
politics, both domestic and foreign, and .
! general and detailed stock Of information
on all subjects of current interest. Homust
| have keen eye for blundcrs or lnconsls-
! tcnces in the dispatches which ho re-
| ceivcs and be prompt TO correct them or
| obtain corrections from the central otiice
Of his news association. lie is frequently
called uD0u by the editor-in-chief for facts
regarding passing events and the sayings
and doings Of prominent people. Rcqulsi--
tiops are often made upon him for editorial
| writing. 10 which he IS expected % respond
| with ahcrity and cheerfuiness, even though
! his nightly battle with the news Is SUN
! cient fax on the labOrlng capacity OF any
one man.
| TfIE STEPPING-STONE.
As to pay? Well, the salary IS not mu-
| niicent, but the telegraph desk is looked
upon rs the stopping-stone to an editorial
chair, and it generally proves TO be such If
the labors are performed efficiently, faith
| fully. and cOnscicntiously. The reward
! may be long i'm coming, but the outlOOl, IS
! "A SPUR to ambition and energy. However,
| this is a sido issue. Enough has been said,
perhaps, TO make it apparent that "a night
! with the news is a busy nlght-a night full
/ Of anxieties, responsibilities, AID critical
! iuncturcs-a night in which attention to
! detail, comprehensive view OF the situa-
| ton, and eXactness of performance are IN
| dispensable requisites III the work to be
| done.
But this is only one phase Of newspaper
| life. Every department teems with restless
activity. The city editor must cover his
| field completely. The reporters must not
only fill their assignments faithfully, but
! they must be Oh a constant skrnl5h for
stray items. The editOr-in-chief must be
| cool aggressive, and sagaciOus, skilled IN
| surveying the battle-ground, WISE IN
| choosing his positions. and woll-cquippcd
| in resources Of strategy. onslaught, and de-
| fence. His associates must emulate these
qualities. The managing editor must keep
! his head clear. his eyes open, and hrs hand
! steady. The proOf-reader must be a walking
| cycIopndia Of certain details Of general iu-
| formation. must keep his perccptiye iacul-
! ties on the alert must search for errors rs a
| diamOnd-dIggcr does for precious gems.
! He has to struggle with abOminahle manu-
script. intelligent cJmpositOrs, and per-
| haps an inattentivc copy-holder. lilo
! should possess calm temperament. an in-
| dustriOus disposition. and scli-p1ise that
! Will enable him To receive n vast amount ~
! uudescrved censure with due eQuanlmlty.
| For the pro0f-reader is a sort of scapegOat
! IN general on whom il ~ customary 10 cast
| tho blame for all sins and blunders that
may appear in print.
! The mechanical departments OF a daliy
paper ara as full Of busy life as the edlto-
| rial-rOOms. PrOmptncss. skill, accuracy,
and activity are demanded at every stage
/ IF w0Il. and he who lag5 must seek other
| fields oi employment.
"Iet as thon b up and doing,
win hoart f0r any fsfo,
| SAIL achieving, SUI p1rsulug,
Learn 20 Labor -"
but not 10 wait.
/
4 Divers Narrow Escape.
lNow YORK Tripunol
| Co--o-o1 fIcurorI pnopla WIN cat borod