New-York tribune., 1890-05-04
THE COUNTRY EDITOR TALKS.
FEW NEWSPAPER MEN WOULD FIND HIS FIELD
TOO SNAIL FOR THEM. HE sAYs.


TOO SMALL FOR THEM, HE SAYS.
"What some Of your funny men on metropolitan
newspapers would do, without the country edltor
to crack a joke on occasionally when their think
tanks have run dry, | do not know SAID the pro-
prletor, editor. dramatic critic news reporter business
manager and foreman of the cOmposinSroom of a
thriving weekly sheet published in one OF the toWhs
adjoining Ncw-York while he was on a visit to the
city the other day. "When we are thinking Of the
famous city newspapers and OF the vast influence
they exert, we are apt 10 underestimate the I'M
portant place occupied by the country newspapers.
More people read them than You would suppose.
Right here in your city ! have seen busy men,
men Of affairs. leading politicians, millionaire mcr-
chants and railway magndtcs receive their mail III
the busiest hours of the day and stop two or three
minutes to pick out, unfold and glance over the
columns Of the little newspapers published In their
native towns. Every name there is familiar to them
Every thing that goes in those little hamcts Interests
them. Then the rush of business sweeps along again
and the little paper is thrust into an inside pocket
to be read from headline TO the last advertisement
at the first half hour OF leisure.
"Then the residents of the country towns want
their local papers for Others reasons. II is tno
that many country editor fills his sheet with such
items as Postmaster Stckem has shaved of his
goatce. and wonders that his paper is dcspScd and
neglected, when all the time several thousand
really valuable from his pen. But If man with
brains takes hold of I, his personality is felt
recognized and welcomed. The field does not Secm
on the surface, to be inviting one. and for that
reason many bright young newspaper man Is swal
lowed up, unknown III the bis cities. who might he
shining light in smaller community. Naturally
when ambitious young fellow leaves college 10
enter the ranks Of newspaper workers he seeks
connection with Of the mighty papers of the
land 10 fools tba Iyif
speedily set all wrongs right and open the eyes Of
all men TO their best interests. IL does not take
long TO get all this knocked ont OF him, ana unless
he possesses unusual ability not only above but far
above the average, he soon acquires the hablt OF
regarding newspaper work mere means of earn
ing many dollars a week.
lie sees that he is doomed to obscurtty in the city
that he is a mere part Of the machine lie helps 10
turn admirable paper, it is true, but no credit
comes TO him for it. so lie irets or he submits. II
lie frets, there is hope for him In the country Lev
nm take hold in town Of 1900 people say. ~
he has capital to start paper fox himself so much
the better. If not let him do some good work on
the paper already established there and will be
quickly recognized Let him make aciuantances.
with discretion. 1t Will rot be for him 10
hang around the liquor stores discussing
with every ider about the tsrl. When he j.
able to make close estimate OF what IL Will cost
him TO establish paper, and can argue rs case In a
convincing way, let lin approach some man with
money, or who control money, and who can i"
spred confidence in the wOuldbc editors plans
Then when he is started. let him take pains to ind
out what the people thinking and talking about
and beat that other fellow who Is covering the same
field for city daily. People IN the country nave
minds. just a. well those living in the city, ana
the live breezy. newsy country journals exceed IN
circulation the dull ones. just they do ~ the city
If has individuality, here he can let II rin.
His Job Office IN many instances pays MN better tth
his paper, anyway, and he can live IN comparative
aiiucnce. with the consciousness Of being his o"n
master. able 10 say the public. over his own sigma
ture, Just what his ideas all current topics.
There's good deal in that too for most Americans.
Many aud many a country newspaper gyeo Cause
for wonder why people ever read 1t ana wy anybody
wants 10 publish IT, Bat offer 10 buy ont H. editor
and you will be thundcpstruck al the price he VII
refuse for IL. The position j. a fascinating one ~
is looked 10 by large part Of the community d
leader in all movement, religious, political. or social
He is frequently power in more than mere local
are few better callings IN which TO start
rSIS MSn orS yaq 4 e4e waa5 4 nc1 EGar vein anT
Wspaper has 40 room, need not be dcbarrcd
from pursuing II in 'he country. II man eau wrto
anything worth radns. there l. Away some pabh
cation willing pay II. lie need not rust.
"Of course IT IS perfectly natural for steamship
10 that Of "a safer. slower, but probably pron'-
able snip; for engineer 10 pIcfcr expires en-
gine TO a freight locomotive, and for a young new
paper 10 banker after the control Of a Ne" York
Tribune SUM- rather than country weekly.
but what is the use Of hankcring after mpOsslbt,.
Why not accept the lesser good which awaits reason
able effort and ability
a bright, newSy weekly, with paid up circulation
Of 800 and prOpOrtiOnatc amount Of cash ad dycf
tscments with a email job Office, viii give man
$500 year clear worth 5000 in the
prove his mind Keep abreast Of the time. and main
tain his social affiliations, and VIII assure him about
not for heavens lc him keep ont Of new paper
work Of any kind, he may e1crc,c potent Influence
cultivate. take 1t. ind wide enough for me-