Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-09-26
Andrew ID. White on Journalism

1t is only within the past few years that
this country has begun to hear much re-
garding journalism as a distinct profess
sion. Some of the most successful editors
in our country have given their views re-
garding it, and from the utterance of these,
as well as from a survey of the field at
large, it is evident that the growth of an
immense reading and thinking people is
creating a demand more critically in char
acter and greater In extent than any for
merry known. The DAY when mere par
titan or personal diatribes formed the
stock in trade of the newspaper man is
main V passed More and more there Is a
call for journalists whose knowledge is eX-
tended and thorough, whose opinions are
based upon ~;.ell ascertained principles.
whose powers both of thought and state
ment, have been carefully cultivated. 1t
is true that the demand among the great
journals in our great cities for writers in
the lowest ranks is apparently exceeded by
the supply
There has been. for some years past. a
rush of men imperfectly equipped into
this lower work, and as a result there
seems to be more than enough to fill the
ranks of ordinary reporters and subordi-
mates, but the number who are adequately
fitted even for these positions is evidently
not large-those who can give a succinct
and satisfactory report of speech or lee
ture are still minority.
The fact is that even this kind of work
demands breadth of knowledge and a
concentration of mind of which the major
ity of young men, from lack of proper in
struction and discipline, are incapable
But even though this supply, such as it Is.
were to extend the demand IN these lower
ranks, the opposite must long be the ca Sc
in the higher work of the profession.
The number of young men who can take
up topics of general interest, and write up
on them briefly and c0gently, with that
knowledge of general, political, constitu-
tiOnal history and of the better solutions
of social questions which forms the only
proper foundation of the best Journal
ism, is very small indeed. For such men
there is demand, steady and sure to iu-
crease. To retrate it, a young man,
thoroughly trained to think closely upon
political, social and literary questions, to
present his thoughts vigorously and CO.
gently, to use knowledge based upon
good and broad foundations of history
and literature, cannot fail to find in jOurn-
alism a most satisfactory field for all his
powers. Inc attractions OUere0 by the
profession to such men are certainly strik-
ing. The compensation in the lower
ranks is small, but in the higher it is am
pie; the successes which bring not only
fortune but reputation and great oppOrtu-
mites for useful influence are many. No
profession, in the present condition of
American society. offers more attractions
to the man who desires to exercise a COM
handing influence for good upon his day
and generation.
As to tastes and characteristics which
tend to show natural aptitude for the
profession. first may be named an intelli-
gent interest in the leading questions of
the day-political. social, religious-a
taste Tor that literature which has to do
with such questions, and fair degree of
skill in writing upon topics of interest.
In the journalistic profession, as in so
many others, time has brought a change
in the requirements for success. Geniusrs
who are above all rules may even at this
day pick up the pro ession, but the
great majority of aspirants must more and
more give themselves preparatory disci-
pline and culture. The editorial chairs es-
tabIished originally by men of uncultured
genius, are now more and more occupied
bv successors who have been thoroughly
educated. This is additional proof of the
fact already stated, that the American peo-
pie are less and less inclined to be satisfied
with the sort Of newspapers that pleased
their grandfather.