Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-19
COMMUNICATED.
MISSOURI JOURNALISM.

MISSOURI JOURNALISM.
EDITOR REGIsTER-Missourih has very many
things Of which she can be proud; but she
should value above all things else her news
papers and the influence they WELD among
her people. 1t was a most pleasant privilege
we enjoyed recently in attending the annual
convention of the Missouri Press Associa-
ton" Many interesting and instructive
things were said, and our object is TO place
before the readers OF the REGISTER brief
statement OF what Missouri Journalism"
consists. First Missouri has seven hundred
and fifty-six newspapers and periodicals. OF
this number seventy-s six are dailies, five hum
dred and sixty-nine weeklies, the rest being
divided among tri-weeklies. monthlies, BIZ
monthlies, etc. They give employment to
over 1000 persons, and own several millions
OF dollars OF property. From these facts you
can see that the newspapers compose quite
an industry In the State and from the pa
pers, reports, etc., IL Is very live Industry.
II is said that Missouri editors know no such
thing as ngratitude-especially for the nos
pitality OF city. One OF the nrst as Wei as
most interesting things brought before the
convention was a letter from Mark Twain
Twain spent his early days almost within
sight OF the convention hall, and naturally
retains an interest in the "boys" who have
never been summoned by fame from their
country offices. The following extracts are
taken from his letter. He acknowledged the
invitation and says: 1.-The terms you offer me
Il mean the privilege of being present and
speechless) are so enticing that l strongly
want TO accept" He says he has taken pas
sage for Eurore. This does not convince me
OF my going. Indeed, the fact that appoint
ed TO go, is TO me satisfying evidence mat
Providence will rip up the arrangements
when the time comes. The same would hap
pen should l promise 10 be present at your
convention" In another place he said, II
have learned TO trust in Him. This contlc'
has been going on for some years, with the
result that / have merely been making APP
pointments for Providence, when 1t was my
idea that / was making them for myself. NO
business can be satisfactorily conducted
where one party has all the say, aud the other
pays all the postage. 1 have Withdrawn from
the firm. Doubtless the business will be
continued at the old stand, but the Co. end
of it has retired" Again he said, "No more
appointments are going TO be made by the
galley-west just for private entertainment
lie closed his letter with renewed declara-
lion of his love for journalism and especially
for the "press boys" of his native State. The
President in his annual report dwelt on the
necessity Of organization among newspaper
men for protection. He showed that In all
other Industries the operatives took all hon
orable means for protecting themselves, and
that the newspaper man needed protection
even more than those employed in other pro-
LESSONS. Is it not so In West Virginia as well
as Missouri? Various topics were thorough
~ discussed and much wit and repartee
characterized the proceedings. Advertising
received much attention, and foreign lads"
were handled without gloves. The following
is a sample of the utterances in this connec-
ton: The best positions In three-fourths OF
the weekly newspapers of Missouri are occu
pied by six or seven vendors OF patent nos
trums at prices absurdly and ruinously low.''
Again IL was said, alt is time TO call a halt"
The prices OF advertising vary greatly, but
the verdict in regard TO foreign ads. was,
eve must either charge what they are worth
or refuse them entirely" Legislation re-
ceived the attention OF the editors, and from
their utterauces the "quill.drivers" OF Mis-
souri, are able TO take care OF themselves.
Legislation that affects the newspaper was
summed up in the following assertion: "The
law needed in Missouri at this time is one re-
curing the publication OF the acts OF each
general assembly in the newspapers OF the
State The people have right to know
what the laws are, and the newspaper is the
IF inf | 81
worth passing, 1t is worth publishing" Are
not the Missouri editors right on this ques-
ton? Legislators can he made to feel the in
fuence of the press in powerful manner,
and ought to pass wholesome legislation III
this direction. An amusing debate occurred
over the question, "Should locals crowd out
editorials ?" 1t was the general opinion that
local matter should constitute the bulk OF the
edition, but it was also decided that some
solid editorials should appear each week
Many other interesting subjects were dis
cussed, but the foregoing are the principle
ones. We have placed these facts before the
readers of the REGISTER to show that in GER
tain things newspaper men are n unit In
their demands. West Vlrginia's press wide
awake and should employ all honorable
means in securing the enactment OF such
laws as will promote the usefulness OF the
press in our Mountain State These edi-
tors of Missouri are well-built and handsome.
Editors certainly do prosper. out never grow
rich. Ifyour readers desire an explanation
of this we could give it in a few words. We
feel that organization is protection, and the
more perfect the organization becomes, then
the stronger is the protection. May West
Virginia encourage her press Association.
To do this each paper must be encouraged by
its own readers This can be done by IN in
terest in It's welfare, a pride in It's manage
ment, and an increase in its circulation.
MAC.