Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-04

can arrange dinner table, there might be
; something in the suggestion; but until he
gains 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..
HoSg's demurrer.
''As for fashions and the woman's 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.''
81 know you won't let line OF sour. llity
go into any paper you own, will youl"
Are you sitting rs inquisitor into the
morals of the newspaper investor, or those
of the public instructorl''
Both, of course!'' and she laughed know
ingly
well, then, in the latter capacity 1 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"
Cranky, then. 1 shall consider it the su-
preme evidence of my fitness to run paper
II can manage 20 draw the line between
proper and Improper personalities, as they
are called. The fact is we are all growing
smaller and smaller, less able to sustain in
terest in subjects, more prone to find ex-
cltement IN objects, especially in persons.
This comes of the rapid rate we live at. No
time Tor solid books, so we invented non
derous quarterlies. No time for quarter
lies, SO we hit upon monthlies. MOnthlies
are getting too slow for US, and even the
weeklles we set up in their places are
growing fiat and stale. Now we have got
down to magazine dailies, scrap-booky Sun
dallles, broadsheet evening issues, and even
IN these the old column editorials are now
chopped into paragraphs; paragraphs are
hacked into three-line spasms; 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 flavor"
Goodness gracious! Have you finished
preaching! What a pity you don't start
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 l 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 professionl
mean, what are the real aims of the aver
age journalists of to-day"
That's question, Lady Elsie, more
difficult to answer tn to ask | don't
know how the case may be in your country,
but 1t 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-
otic 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. 1
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
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"
so 1t is. may be Judging on INSULT
cient knowledge, but the tone of much
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
any body's shoes who will pay for it-or his
eye if he DOESN'T
"You are much too severe, Mr. Hogg, if
may be permitted an opinion. think the
of those who I'LL the commoner
,lass of papers must be very young indeed
md that excuses verything-doesn't it,"
Not quite: but of course have not been
speaking of the literary men and women
who furnish the brains of our papers. l
vas thinking only of the tribe of catch
PES caterers to the multitude. Let me
nut myself on record, Lady Elsie. as hold
ng the firm opinion that the leading, the
of American journalists are more
han the equals of European press writers. |
Dur man, and will include our women, |
lave all the attachments of, and decidedly |
more of true style than, their English |
cousins. Ours may, perhaps, skim the sur |
ace where they sink TO the depths of pub |
ic questions; but then. this suits our
quicker wits, as the other suits the slow |
oach Briton. We can afford to be proud of |
ur iournalism-bright, varied, up to time, |
,o-ahead as is always is. The Objectionable |
eatures will disappear as our people settle |
own to quieter life, and re-establish the |
lately dignity that marked the rule of |
Washington and his ideals'
swell, let me tell you that this slowcoach |
sriton has arrived at her destination. |