Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-03-21
THE MODERN NEWSPAPER.
1t Is Power. and Trains the Literary
Expression of the Time.

1t Is Power and Trains the Literary
Expression of the Time.
The function of the press, as we I'M
derstand it, is to influence the course of
public sentiment, to direct the public
policy, to discern and forsee the logical
conclusion of political doctrines and
tendencies. and in this Republic to in
struct the people in the art of self
government. SO conducted a sound
newspaper, following out consistent
principle, exercises a valuable and
lasting power. 1t is not for day, but
for all time. and its discussions are the
more likely to be effective because theil
texts is in passing events, and they
come in chapters published daily and
presented in way to attract the public
consideration. The number of books
read is few in comparison with the num-
Der of newspapers carefully studied.
and as the development of the news
paper goes on the public demand for il
steadily increases. The old ESSAY and
the old pamphlet have gone out OF
vogue, and have been succeeded by the
newspaper article, SO much more provo
cative of interest. One chief reason
why we hear so many complaints OF
the decline of the conventional
literature in these days is that the best
informed and most productive minds
are now employing their energies in
newspapers and periodicals. And why
10 they do this? 1t is because they can
thus secure more regular and better
material recompense, and because they
can WELD wider and greater inf1u-
ence. They not only get vastly larger
audience, but they also gain the enor.
nous advantage of iteration. Dav by
day they can hammer their thoughts
into the minds of the people, so slow t,
receive and welcome new ideas and
give up old prejudices and conceptions
Nor is it true that well-edited news
paper exercises little or no influence OF
literature. Much of the best writing.
Judged by high literary standard, i
prepared at this period for newspapers
There are men now engaged on news
papers who would have been singled
out for wide literary fame hundred
years ago. We have read newspaper
articles as perfect in literary execution
and as well deserving to rank with ar
tistic literature as anything which the
masters of style have produced, Such
articles constitute an example and
lesson in literary art, and help to CLARITY
the thoughts of many thousands OF
people. Even the unlearned know and
enjoy good English, and their taste il
improved by it. A well-written news
paper, lucid, logical and vigorous, is tn,
school in literature which exercises thu
largest influence. 1t trains the literary
expression of the time.-N. Y. Sun.
Told of IA Successful Novel.
know of an instance where singu-
larly good and original plot was found
in a story written with grammatical
error in almost every line. The author
was advised that her manuscript con-
tanned the material for good story, but
it would have to be rewritten. She con-
scented and the manuscript was placed
in the hands of competent writer.
When the book appeared the author
scarcely recognized her work. The plot
was there, but nothing more. As the
reader" predicted, the story, as rewrit-
ten, proved a success. To-day it is one
of the best known novels in the literary
world, and the author, whose name APP
pears on the title page, receives all the
credit. while the real author contents
himself with the knowledge that his
bank account is $3.50 larger by the work.
The truth will perhaps never be known;
but often wonder when | see the title
page author receiving the congratula-
tions of her friends at the success of her
book. if her conscience ever pricks her.