The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-05-29
HOMELY FACTS.

| in it's last issue which is full of home
| ly facts and absolute truths regard
ing the demands made upon the coun-
try press by ambitious politicians and
seekers after public place. 1t has be-
come common phrase and matter
of fact presumption on the part of
leading politicians when they enter
into combine to arrange ''slate,"
to say that "such and such papers can
be relied upon to endorse our action
and do the necessary editorial work
to divert public attention from the
inside workings of our scheme and
invariably attach to an expose of tl
real situation" In other words the
country press Democrat and Repub-
lican alike) has been regarded as abO-
lutely sure to follow the dictation of a
few 'ffXers" and devote talent, space
and time to shielding party leaders
and aid them in the nefarious work
/ of thwarting the will of the people
that few of the ''self-chosen" might
ride into prominence and power I'M
der the strength welded by the ed
itors' pen. This is not always the
case but it happens to be too often a
fact. The Midway Neaos analyses the
case well when it says that "a lawyer
may plead against his convictions. 1t
is expected of him, and after verdict
is recorded the case is forgotten. Not
so with the issues which newspapers
have to discuss. A man may succeed
for time, like the lawyer, to conceal
his insincerity, but not always" To
sustain the action of its party leaders,
newspapers must infreQuently take
positions contrary to the better judg-
ment of their editors and against the
best interests of the people. They
do this under the misconceived idea
that, as they are serving their party,
as they are serving their party, they
are doing right. They are not serving
their party. They are simply build
ing up characters, oftimes out of rot,
by which selfish, ambitious and I'M
grateful men may gain power and in
fuenee, unmerited and undeserved,
at the expense of whom? At the ex-
pense of the country press; for through
it's columns certificates of character
have been provided and the way to
success made possible.
1t is the province and should be the
conscience of the country editors to
maintain, support and in every posi-
BILE way advocate the principles of
their party. With equal force they
should stand by worthy party nomi-
nees; but we do believe that the time
has arrived when the methods here
| tOfOre in vogue of few Twin City
politicians making "slate" for the
people of the rural districts to swal-
| low, should be stamped out, and this
can only be done through concerted
movement of the country press.
And what does the country editor
get for his labor in booming men for
office and creating sentiment that
they are but little below the angels?
AS rule, nothing. A country editor
with lucrative public position is as
scarce as tramp in harvest field.
Here is Bro. Heatwole's opinion on
this feature of the editors work:
Why should the country editors OF
this State fret and perspire in order
to secure this or that man an office!
We have known Of instances where
country editors have been candidates
for office, and where they have had
good backing, but they were quietly
and effectually turned down. The
LaneSborO Journal few weeks age
spoke very pertinently in regard to the
matter of supporting party papers
What can you expect of paper that
does not receive the support of it's par
ty? You see Republican officials giving
their patronage to the opposition
You see the post office and otherlittle
offices that could be capably filled by
country editors and with much pro
fit to them, go frequently to men who
have rendered purely personal service
Oliver p. Morton's strength in politics
in Indiana and his great hold upor
the Republican party in that state
and the strength of the party there
was largely due to the fact that ht
recognized the Republican editors o.
the State on every possible occasion
We know of number of places in this
State where the postmastership would
be very small thing to give to the
Republican editor in the town, an(
which would afford him a revenue
that would insure the issue of better
paper, and enable it to do great dea
more effective service for the party
We speak of this merely to show thu
tendency to use the country press as
means to gain an end, and wheI
that end is reached, the papers ma.
whistle. 1t seems to us that the
country editors of this state should
look carefully after their own inter
:. ests, and the interests Of the part.
before they do after that of any man
no matter who he may be, who seek
official position.