The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-24

subjects. This the editor turns over to tn e
society editor, who uses it in person or
gives 1t to reporter, detailing him to dc
the work.
The society reporter, armed with the in
vitation, presents his bid at the door,
mlngles among the guests but scrupulously
evades taking any part in dancing, games
OF other parts OF the programme. The re-
porter uses his eyes and ears, but never
MS hands, except to write down what he
sees and hears. The invitation is in no way
personal but is given as a courtesy to the
newspaper to enable it to spread before its
tlon or OF the Lord Codliver ball
Should the managers of balls, etc., fail to
send an invitation, the editor will detail a
reporter without bid who will present
himself or herself at the door and if there
no question as to the
credentials, the. party is admitted,
and without any questions 70 instructions
as to his other conduct when admitted; as
1t as great violation of good taste to lay
down rules for the conduct of reporters as
II would be to instruct the servants to give
instructions to the invited guests. 1t is al
ways presumed that reputable news
papers will never send representatives of
an Objectionable character; and that the
critics who devote their time to studying
the good and bad manners of society peo-
pie are well informed upon such matters.
AS society critics, in the pursuit of their
duties, must mingle with highly-cultivated,
well-dressed people, it is the custom Of
metropolitan journals to enlist as such
representatives, ladies of such culture,
and OF high social standing as will give
them carte blanch to the balls and recep-
tions.
As the relation of society to the news
paper representatives, and wise versa, is
becoming daily more 'numberousn-to use
Malaprop-it may be well to lay down
Ihese rules for the benefit of those who
desire to conform to good usage. 1t is
always proper for the managers of enter
talnments to which there is an admission
lee, TO send invitations and tickets for two,
olrected to the society, musical or dramatic
critic of all the reputable newspapers. In
case the name of the critic is unknown, the
invitation should be addressed to the city
editor.
10 entertainments of a more private
order-such as receptions, at homes, etc.
1t Is the custom to extend the invitation
personally to the society editor or reporter,
VINO presents himself or herself as one of
the guests. OF course, it is left to the
Judgment Of the host or hostess as to
whether the affair IS of sufficient import
ance TO warrant an invitation to society re-
porters, outside Of personal considerations.
1t is always proper for reporter to call
at private or public parties in street dress
and for such information as he is detailed
to get, but it would be very improper for
him to mingle with the guests in such
garb, though he might take glimpse of
the parlors without entering If the re-
porter was in evening dress the host or
hostess would have tact enough to invite
MN TO mlngle with the company long
enough to secure his facts.
But society reporters do not present
themselves at these grand affairs unless in
evening dress-if they expect to gain ad
mission to the parlors and mingle among
the guests.
The solution in Salt Lake would be very
simple, as the number of society critics is
small and their character unquestioned.
Every effor should be made to have them
present; not as interlopers, but as guests,
and their presence should not be considered
an intrusion but an honor; a consideration
on the part of the newspaper they repre-
sent. They have duties that are arduous
and require not only bright scintillating
minds, but uncommon judgment in the
handling OF the scintillatiug sparks.
In New York city it is not only custo-
mary to invite society reports to large re
ceptlons, but to treat as guests the profess
sional entertainers, who are paid a fee for
entertaining the company.
WAX WORKS