The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-24
LYRA HALL,
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
Editor Halstead Discusses its Maxims and
Mission Before Wisconsin Journalists.

MADISON Wis, Jan. 23.-The Wisconsin
Press Association held it's annual meeting
here to-day. Murat Halstead was the prin-
cipal speaker In the course of his address
Mr.. Halstead said:
We need to guard against ways of exclusive
ness-against the assumption that for some mys-
terious reason the press has rights that the peo-
pie have not; that there are privileges of the
press in which the masses and the classes do not
participate. The claimof privilege is q serious
error. One neither gains nor loses rights in a
profession. We have the same authority to speak
as editors that we have as citizens. IL we use a
longer "pole to knock the persimmons," because
we have larger constituency for our conversa-
tonal ability, that doesn't affect rights. 1t SIM
meritorious man or enterprise, or of rascally
schemer or scheme, asan editor, the same that he
e9nd say as oc ci5aen ttaApayer lawyer
the better understanding Of our business to
know that we are like other folks, and not set
fled for an appointed and exclusive and unique
service.
1t is in our line of occupation to buy white pa-
per, impress ink upon it in such form as may be
expressive of the news and our views, and agree
able to our friends or disagreeable to our foes
and sell the sheet when the paper becomes, by
the linking thereof, that peculiar manufactured
product newspaper. for margin of profit.
We should not go about magnifying our office.
We are as gifted and good as anybody, so far az
our natural rights are concerned, and are better
or worse according to our behavior. 1t is our
position to stand on the common ground with the
people, and publish the news, and tell the truth
about 1t as well as we can: and we shall, through
influences certain in their operation, find the
places wherein we belong. No one can escape
If one may be permitted to speak of local ex-
perience, the question OF never printing a paid
advertisement as news matter has not been so
important as the printing of advertisements that
ism for fifteen years under my immediate OBJ
servatiOn has been the printing of free advertise
ments. 1t Is not a question OF cash, but of pages
upon pages, year after year, Of apparent adver-
tisements for which no charge Is made and
this seems to pay the enterprising publisher,
whose approved policy Is that of inviting a re-
ciprocity of favOrs by acceptance of alleged ad-
vertisements as form OF news. 1t seems to be
one of the ways of meeting popular require
ments, to give voluntary contributions in this
shape gratuitOusly. Many OF us could not afford
this perpetually, but fame and fortune, accord
ing to surface indications, have waited upon il
when pursued with adventurous assiduity; and
II 1t does not destroy one OF Mr.. Dana's maxims,
it demands another
How far shall we assert or assume responsible
ity for the advertising columnsi Are we to be
held reliable for the veracity of a gentleman who
announces that he has invented pill that will
cure all the ills to which flesh, and blood, and
bones are heirsl 1t is not true, of course; but
does Ii not effectualy contradict itself, Shall we
go Staying the slain, vainiy trying to save fools
from their follyi Our religious newspapers, es
tablished in aid of missions to go about doine
good, do not object TO patent miracle proclam;E
or that if they are, suicide shall not wait upon
humDugl
What is the office. what is the dignity of the
pressl What is its authorityl What shall be its
ruling motives, its higher accomplishments The
press does not form, Ii reflects public opinion
1t does not make, ii partakes of the character o1
the people. The real platform of a political
party coming before the country and asking the
confidence Of the majority is not found in the
formal phrases that politicians prepare To sui
the occasion. IL Is the character of the party
tnat should be taken into account when its mer
Its are measured and its destinies balanced. II
is not the letter of acceptance of candidate
nominated for an Office with the broadest re
sponsibilites, grasping the gravest public trusts
that is TO OF his fitness or the contrary
but il is the character of the man. If we have
mission greater than another ii is the broad cul
tivation of the popular character.