The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-08-06
COUNTRY WEEKLY.
AN INTERESTING PAPER ON THE
SUBJECT.
One of the Essays Read Before the
National Editorial Convention at
st. Paul.

"~"A
=. - e. MON G. many
w %NgZE excellent papers
SfA.sA.A read before the
E@3 National Editorial
u.s.: i; !; :: 4; !; !: :: :;
fAiS = Weekly by Col.
T1 James A. Hoyt, of
~ South Carolina,
u az editor of the Bab-
hsf Cow1e,. We publish the ar
tcle below believing it will be read
with interest by our readers:
The real instructors of the masses
in rural communities must continue
to be the country weeklies until that
period when this vast continent shall
become continuous CRY; an aggre-
cation of densely populated centers,
and extension of St. Paul and Min
neapols. So long as men live sep
arate and apart from each other and
dwell at respectable distance from
their neighbors, with distinct ideas of
their own and with the freedom to
think and act for themselves, we will
have what is denominated the country
whether it be open prairie, the broad
savannah, the native forest, the village,
the undeveloped boom town of the
enterprising hustler, or the more pre-
tentious and dignihed country site,
with a never failing complaint against
the census taker. SO long as these
exist will men be found who are ready
to supply a long-telt want, and engage
in the cultivation Of the cart preser-
vative.' A small quantity of type
and a cranky press are all-suftlcient to
produce a full tledged editor, ready to
cope with the brainiest and most &C
cCmplised of the scores now before me.
| As it is SO easy to create an increase
in journalism, the topic assigned to
me becomes the more important and
it is we'll to set before aspiring men
an excellent model. Let me briefly
outline the ideal as it comes to the
surface, and the brethren who are to
follow will complete the picture.
Location--A thriving town from
900 to 5000 population, the center
of county with 10000 to 10000
people forming a constituency Of in
dustrious habits and progressive ten
denotes.
Obicct-The moral, material and
intellectual improvement of the people
from whom support is expected. The
man who enters upon the control of &
country weekly with no higher purpose
than his own personal benefit has missed
his calling. Few persons have the
opportunity of doing good to all men
like we are enjoined in Holy Writ, a:
the editor of country weekly. HI
deals with the entire community, anc
gives an influence seldom exercised b,
others.
Character-It follows that th'
country newspapers, going into the
homes of the humble and the rich
should WELD this power with an ey
single to the welfare humankind. Purit,
of thought and language should char
acterize not only the original portion
Of the newspaper, but also the selec
tions and the advertisements.
Styie-I prefer the folio as genera
thing, because it is easier to read an(
is more thoroughly read. But th
quarto has gained much popularity il
recent years, and, as the demands 0
the future become mole pressing anC
exacting, it will be more generall
adopted, since the opportunity is bette
given to classify its contents. Let u
adopt the quarto as our ideal, will
each page specially devoted to
department at once distinct, separat
and impressive. Shall we divide tn
eight pages into convenient sections
First solid, instructive articles, orig
inal or selected, political, historical
scientific and miscellaneous. SeCont
Family story paper, with special read
ing for the children. Thlrd-COntri
buttons from practical men on ques
tions concerning agriculture, manutact
uring, mechanical employments,supple
mented by brief notes gathered from
all available sources, touching theS
material interests. Fourth-Editoria
page, which will include discussion
of living questions, occasionally a
length, but oftener in the briefest forr
consistent with clearness and direct
ness. Freedom from personalities c
every sort ought to characterize TIL
feature, only using the names of othe
men when necessary, and never dc
scending to abuse or ridicule, adherin
to the golden rule. Fifth-The loca
department., full and complete, review
ing the week as it has been spent /
the community, giving the news /
terse, simple speech, and portrayin
with exaCtness and without preludlc
the occurrences that are fit to be know
and read of all men. SlXth-Corres
pondence from neighboring towns an
villages, including notes from an
locality Of importance in the reglo
where the paper circulates. Selee
intelligent, fair minded men for tn
work, who will "nothing extenuats
nor set down aught i'll malice. ,. Con-
pensate them in some measure for the
labor and show them an appreciatio
! otherwise. Seventh-Condensed al
rangement of the news OF the wee
from the State, the nation and IL