The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-09
SCHOOLS OF JOURNALISM.

At different intervals, but generally with
more frequency in summer, when there IS a
disposition to relax from more arduouslabors.
an inquiring mind advances the suggestion.
through the columns of the most convenient
newspaper, that it would be well to start a
school of journalism.
Whether this suggestion originates in dis
content with the press as it now stands. or
with exaggeration of the difficulties of learn
ing journalism by practical experience, it is
difficult to say. In either case il shows. we
think, decided ignorance of the conditions
involved.
Perhaps the greatest advantage that distin-
guishes the journalistic profession is that q
thorough knowledge can he acquired of il by
practical experience, being in this respect en-
tirely unlike the professions of law, medicine
and theology, and very much like those pur-
suits in which the information required in in
diyiduals who follow them, is obtained from
an ordinary apprenticeship. A good Journalist
resembles u good carpenter in this one fact
at least, that he has learned his trade on its
threshold not from books, but by the hardest
practical work beginning at or near tho bot
tom, and gradually working his way to the top.
The true school Of journalism is the Offices
Oft daily newspaper, including every depart
ment from the compos,ng-room to the room
of the managing editor. The young man who
decides TO adopt the profession of journalism
and wishes to become q thorough master OF
his bpaipase shoyid NOT ia coD4a04 avaD,tf L.
has the opportunity TO start in the upper
grade. but should serve an apprenticeship in
the lowest. gradually passing, if his merit JUS
titles it, to the highest.
This knowledge of every branch of the
newspaper business was possessed by all the
great editors who established the famous
dailies OF New York city, the most successful
enterprises Of their kind in the New World.
and much of the first success OF these papers
was owing to the fact that their founders were
not only skilful editorial aud business man
ayers but also trained journeymen printers.
who had the fullest information as to the
purely mechanical parts of tho newspaper
business.
The great journalist is as much q rara avis
az a great lawyer. a great physician ora great
theologian. He is Just as much q product of
those special a~ptitudes. which men agree to
designate as genius, as any one Of the three
We have named. We observe in a news-
paper Office just as we do elsewhere men en-
joying the same practical advantages for the
acquisition OF a thorough knowledge Of their
profession. yet showing relative degrees OF
superiority. 1t all depends upon the charac-
tor OF the soil upon which the seed has fallen.
But taken as whole the rank and file of
journalists when the abilities OF men
in different walks ara considered per-
form their work in life as skilfully as, if not
moro skilfully than the rank and file in
every other pursuit, for the very simple reason
that their training is = practical training from
the beginning Of their connection with the
press. Just as practical indeed as the training
Of . plumber. . saddler or . roller.
Formal schools Of journalism would be
about a useful to those who design to become
members Of the press a. schools Of carpentry