The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-17
A NEWSPAPER CRITIC.
But One who ia Blinded by Single
idea.


Idea.
One w. ii. ii. Murray-whO was wont
not long ago to sign himself "reyerend,"
and to exercise the functions Of minister
of the Gospel, and who wrote a book about
his personal exploits in the AdirOndacks,
the impossible stories of which no sane man
believed-has recently made his reappear-
ance in literature. in the respectable com
pany Of a New England magazine, as a
critic of the newspapers. To all who are in
anywise familiar with the critics career,
his criticism will appear as valueless as
his narratives of individual adventures
were improbable; but, at the same time, 1t
Is to be recognized chat his criticism Is OF
very common sort, and that, mischieyous
and misleading as it is, il finds good many
readers who fervently believe in it. He de-
clares that the power which inspires and
controls the press is money, and he adds:
''Money has no conscience, no honor, no
patriotism, no sy mpathy with truth, right,
or descency, and never has bad. 1T loves
and seeks but one thing-profits. What
ever will make the paper sell, goes into 1t
right or sOng, true or untrue, slanderOus
or just, clean or unclean-it is all the same
to money. Whatever will make the great
est sensation, whatever will fetch the most
dirty pennies from Glrtier pockets, what
ever will make the most sensational pub
lishment and call for more sensational
cOunter-statement in the next issue, goes liz,
And tbs is called good journalism among
us!v
POssibly'it may be called good journal
ism among the class of journalists with
whom the critic is best acquainted, as We
believe that he has added what he calls
journalism TO bis several other accomplish
ments; but he and every person knows
who either makes newspapers or reads
them, that what he SAYS is contra.
dicted by the newspapers themselves.
1t would be difficult to name a single pub
lie journal in the land that was recognized
by publishers or editors, or by readers, as
worthy of being called newspaper, which
is conducted on any such plan. In the en-
tire country there may be dozen or score
o. sO-called journals which, being made for
the use o, the most depiayed part of the
are SO conducted.
But he is.not writing of these exceptional
cases, which disgrace the press, but Of the
press itself, of the newspapers of highest
greatest advertising patronage;
Of the newspapers which go into the most
homes, and are read daily by
millions of intelligent, respectable people.
In all that this critic of the press says there
is but single gain or hint of the actual
truth, which is that newspapers are printed
,of money; but in saying ever that he
grossly exaggera.es and peryel.s the truth.
No publisher or editor pietends that he risks
ais capital, gives time, labor, thought, and
care 10 the making o, a newspaper for
,haIity's sake. lie publishes his journal
rs the book publisher Publishes his book
or profit, as means of living or making |
4 fortune. Publishing newspaper is |
strictly business, though there is no other |
business on the face of. the earth of which |
and patriotism are so large |
)art.
The newspaper is the helper of the |
jhurch and the school, of religion, science. |
literature, art, industry, agricultures-Of |
which concerns the good of So
ley and the State. 1t is the very prop and |
'tay of charity and public spirit; the most
'otent enemy OF public wrong or injustice;
md it must be so necessarily, as il is but |
'ublic sentiment reflected in type. If it is
What this mendacious critic represents it TO
'e, ii is so because society will have it that
nd nothing else. The newspaper depends
or its success upon popular favor, and the
i'm of every one connected with it is that
t winning popular favor by run
ing upon parallel lines with public
loiality. To say that the newspaper
published for money is TO say no harm Of
/. 1t has passed into "A universal maxim
hat "The Church lives by the Altar''-by
be contributions which the faithful lay upon
be altar. And it is true, and it is not dis
reditable. The newspaper press is gener-
lily as high in morals and intelligence as
he public conscience and mind; higher
IAN that il can never be permanently, as il
lust be what society demands it shall be.
IS matter Of fact, it frequently runs
head, temporarily, OF public morality; it
lten creates the public sentiment that de-
.ioys public wrongs; il often secures JUS
ce by proclaiming the injustice.
The press is not without its faults but
enaJity and untruth for moneys sake is
)t one Of them. Its worst fault is its parti-
IN prejudice, its inability to perceive that ,
e newspaper that serves its country best
rves its party best. 1t does not lie for
slf, but 1t does, for political expediency's .
Ike, too often fail to recognize the truth.
is not unclean for moneys sake, nor sem /,
tional for profits sake, though it may too
ten blunder into TIE mire OF into sensa- J
,nalism through want Of good Judgment.
he press OF the United States-and we
eak, OF course, OF that great body Of repu-
BILE newspaper which really constitute the Il
ess-is just what readers Of high or aver o
Q intelligence makes IL, and il rises day o.
day to higher planes OF intelligence and !,
,rality. ',
10 make the best, the tiuthfulest, the u
'anest newspapers, all other things being
ual, Is to make the most profitable one. II
at Is the experience OF every publisher s.
d responsible editor Of great and pecu- "
'rily successful public Journal. The -
SIS will always have its adverse critics, ~
o II run TO earth, will be found 10 be
ne unworthy. discarded members of II. or |