Connecticut western news., 1890-08-06
THE RELATIONS OF THE EDI-
 TOR TO THE PUBLIC.
Head before tho Connecticut Weekly Press Association at New Haven,
 July 21st, 1890. BY 8. T. ADDS, EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR
 LOCKS JOURNAL.

AOCkS JOUhNALs
 M'. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
 It seems to me that this subject has very deep significance inasmuch as the relations of an editor to the public are more broad and complete than those of any other person in the community, possibly excepting the clergy and phy sicians.
 We often have to stop and think very many times. Does this matter which our attention has been called to benefit the public ? Will publicity to this or that item of news benefit the public and will we ourselves be bene- fitted? It is question of relation to the interests of all people as well as to ourselves.
 It seems to me that our relations are in such close juxtapostion that it is hard to say exactly what we think. I am we'll aware that some (most of them outside our calling) will say that no matter where or whom it hits, speak out the truth. There is an apt proverb which says that "The truth should not be spoken at all times," and in no case is the phrase more applicable than to publishers of newspapers. You have been in that situation. "It takes a smarter man to tell what not to print than what to print" is an old maxim with which you are, we presume. all acquainted.
 The public has many rights which editors of newspapers are bound to respect, and which the country editor does respect to much greater degree than his metropolitan neighbors. It is of no value whatever, to my mind, to put before all classes the startling, son. sational and unseemly items of news which some gloat over. He who does it certainly cannot command the respect and confidence of the better portion of the community. That the best part of the public cares nothing for such g spread is very apparent. The public seems to care little for the editor at times and it is then that the relations are marred, but the careful, independ- ent editor will overcome with patience. You have all, probably, been impor- tuned with anonymous communications which reflect upon some one of the public. You have been asked to say this or that which the sender of such com munication would not dare to say aloud In lonely place at night time, even in disguised voice. Yet the editors re- lation to the dear public is such tin their eyes) that he should shoulder the whole blame. One case in particular I can recall. A man who wanted to air g grievance he had with neighbor, gra- ciously offered me 25 cents for about one-half column of space and which he wanted me to father. It is needless to say that was not enriched to that ex- tent nor did I consider that my relations to the public were such that it would be benefited. Later on this generous man would have given $5, 900, or more, and he is worth more than that amount, if the public had not had dished out to them, by certain city papers, the details of most disgusting scandal in which this man was the prime factor. In this case the JOURNAL did no more than make a brief report of the case, which lad become public property by reason Of it's being before the courts. We did not think our relations as editor called for details.
 One strong tie of the editor to the
 public is broken the moment he begins to cringe. He should be ever ready tc
 amend any fault of his paper and
 almost without exception the country
 editor of to-day is ready to do so. Thil
 does not in the least imply that he
 loses any standing or self-esteem. Ht
 should rather glory in doing all in hi'
 power to make honorable amends. w. would that the public do as much a. the editor in this respect.
 4Ou nave a11 A0b b1O u6A OE WOu1dI who has come into the sanctum
 with blazing eyes, like volcano il E eruption, and demanded satisfaction The editor has sometimes smiled ant sometimes given full vent to his over charged feelings at the insolent talk h.
 has been obliged to hear. The end is il ninety nine cases out of hundred th , same. The infuriated and lofty denizel , retires discomfited.
 The relations of the editor in on , respect touches the public because hi f ways and their ways conflict. Man believe that it costs little or nothing t 3 put information into type and transfe
 such to paper. Therefore, when on q has scheme which is to his persons s benefit he repairs to the printing ofac t and loads the editor with his wants desiring "a place in your valuabl n paper, just to fill up, you know" Tha
 is point where the relations had bel Q ter be severed. An editor might as we D go to hotel and if he finds the room @ not all occupied ask the landlord t furnish him one gratis, because ( Q course it will help fill up his house
 He might go to the merchant and as r. for watermelon or bunch of banana! n offering no compensation, urging ths t they would not keep long, and ths @ they would help fill up the inne !, columns of the one who seeks th