Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08

can arrange dinner table, there might be
something in the suggestion; but until he
gains a little experience in that line,
really think we shall be safer in giving
Miss Bennison's old butler the job. Moth
ing like going to first authorities! -
Elsie felt there was much force in Mr..
Hogg's demurrer.
''As for fashions and the womans col
umn. of course there will be no end of con-
tributionS coming from all quarters, | sup
pose" she continued.
Most probably, especially tid-bits of
scandal, to spice the pie
Il know you won't let a line of scurrility
go into any paper you own will you?"
Are you sitting as inquisitor into the
morals of the newspaper investor, or those
Of the public Instructor"
Both, of course!' and she laughed know
ingly.
We'll, then, in the latter capacity an
swer certainly not AS the cold-blooded
capitalist must be prudent and say per-
haps.' Everything must be viewed from
at least two standpoints, you know"
Now don't tease me, for I've such heap
OF other things to talk about
FRANKLY, then. l shall consider it the su-
preme evidence of my fitness to run paper
II can manage % draw the line between
proper and improper personalities rs they
are called. The fact is we are all growing
SiudllCE, leSS tlDlt W SuSIdlil IN
terest in subjects, more prone to find ex-
citement in objects, especially in persons.
This comes of the rapid rate we live at. No
time for solid books, SO We invented Dor
derouS quarterlieS. No time for quarter
lies, SO we hit upon monthlieS. Monthlies
are getting too slow for US, and even the
weeklieS we set up i'll their places are
growing fiat and stale. Now we have got
down to magazine dailies, scrap booky Sun
dailies, broadsheet evening issues, and even
IN these the old column editorials are now
chopped into paragraphs: paragraphs are
hacked into three-line Spasns: and soon we
shall see the newspaper of the period no
bigger than postage stamp, one-half of it
picture and the other half condensed pabu-
lum with costly favor
Goodness gracious. Have you finished
preaching? What pity you don't start a
sermon department and fill it YOURSELF
Mr.. Hogg had really let go of his feelings
for the moment, and having had his serious
fling he now enjoyed roar at his own eX-
cursion and at Elsie's joke.
well, l guess | shall drop into the
preaching vein often enough unless | have
some charming monitor like YOU near me
to-;
ITO pop the extinguisher over your head
AS | do this instant. Now drop frivolity
and attend to business. Tell me: do YOU
really think all these people we have been
seeing are enthusiasts in their profession,
j mean, what are the real aims of the aver
age journalists of today
That's u question. Lady Elsie. more
difficult to answer thin TO ask / don't
know how the case may be in Your country
but it seems to me there is a lack of definite
aim in the ranks of our young newspaper
men. | mean in the public and large patri-
otto sense. Party spirit has killed many
noble qualities in its victims, and yet it is
possible there may be some who have sac
rificed even its emoluments and pinnacles
for the love of country and principle. [
have not met them myself, but even news
paper men have TO eat and drink, and among
US many young fellows believe they might
as well blow out their brains as appear
poyerty-Strlcken or unsuccessful among
their mates, even though the cause of it
should entitle them to honor and self-re-
spect.''
THAT seems to me like weakness
$50 it is. l may be judging on INSULT
Gent knowledge but the tone of much
newspaper writing of the day and the al
lusions young journalists are constantly
making to their comrades and work, GER
tainly give me the impression that the days
OF the giants are over, and in their stead we
see horde of lackeys, content to black
anybody's shoes who will pay for it-or his
eye if he DOESN'T
Gou are much too severe. Mr.. Hogg, if
may be permitted an opinion. l think the
majority of those who fill the commoner
class of papers must be very young indeed
and that excuses everything-doesn't it,''
Not quite; but of course l have not been
speaking of the literary men and women
who furnish the brains of our papers l
was thinking only of the tribe of catch
penny caterers to the multitude. Let me
put myself on record, Lady Elsie, as hold
ing the firm opinion that the leading, the
irst-rank, of American journalists are more
than the equals of European press writers.
Our man, and l will include our women,
have all the attainments of, and decidedly
more of true style than, their English
cousins. Ours may, perhaps, skim the sur
face where they sink to the depths of pub
lie questions; but then, this suits our
quicker wits, as the other suits the slow
coach Briton. We can afford to be proud of
our iournalism-bright, varied. up to time,
go-ahead as is always is. The Objectionable
features will disappear as our people settle
down to quieter life, and re-establish the
stately dignity that marked the rule of
Washington and his Ideals
''Wel, let me tell you that this slowcoach
Briten has arrived at her destination.