The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-12
Paris Newspapers.

To the last number OF the Nineteenth Cen.
| t,ry Mr.. EDWARD DELILLE contributes an
| interesting article on the Paris newspaper
press. He begins by protesting to defend
Partisan journalists from the abuse which
BALzAc heaped upon them. but he subse-
quently admits that in respect OF probity
and purity most of them deserve the con-
tempt with which tho novelist regarded
| them. There are. however, exceptions
which prove that clean journalism is not
necessarily Improbable in Paris. and Mr..
DELILLE is doubtless right In thinking
that. IL the Partisan could get over his dis
like OF an eight-page newspaper affording
space for multitude Of legitimate adver-
tisements, there would be less temptation
To make merchandise Of editorial and liter
airy opinions.
An American editor has been credited
with the prediction that the time would
come when every word printed in news
paper would DO paid for as advertisements
are now. The state OF things which he saw
In his vision will never DO tolerated by an
American community; but 1t actually exists
In Paris. il we can trust the account
given in the Nineteenth Century OF the Figaro.
the Gdulois. and Gil Bias. which arc select
cd as the most conspicuous examples Of the
smart, piquant. and truly Partisan type OF
journalism. In the first place. the so-called
Financial bulletins" OF such newspapers.
instead OF presenting faithful and dsin-
tercstcd record OF the daily money market.
are furnished by some firm OF spectators
ready to pay well for the double privilege
OF advancing any professional scheme they
may have on hand. and OF being safe
guarded against all possibility Of adverse
criticism. This prostitution OF the money
column however. Is not confined to journals
OF the Figaro class. but Is also imputed by
Mr.. DEL1LLE oven to such grave and rela-
lively trustworthy newspapers as the
Temps and the Debats. But the typical Or
gan Of the Boulevards is not content with
selling its financial reports. There Is. we
are told scarcely column in the more es-
pecially Partisan sheets that does not
afford occult sources Of profit. Thus the
notices Of forthcoming books inserted In
the so-called Echoes" or paragraphs on
the topics Of the hour. are said to bring in
daily to the Figaro and Gaulois great deal
OF money: then the theatrical announce
ments are OF tho nature OF q gold mine: and
even In the principal literary leader. or
c'roniQte merccnary matter will find its
way. The writer In the Nineteenth CENTURY
does not hesitate to say that reclame. or
puff. turks beneath every article. like tho
snake beneath the wayside stone.
The excuse offered for this all-pervnsive
corruption seems to satisfy Mr.. DELILLE.
but to American readers it will seem ludi-
crously weak We are told that tho basis
OF legitimate advertising underlying
Partisan newspaper Is SO scant that. In
self-defence. the proprietors are driven to
seek other means OF making their property
pay. Instead OF tho pages upon pages OF
close-packed advertisements ono sees In the
Times OF London or THE SUN OF New York.
the Paris journal OF the Boulevard type can
scarcely venture to press a single PEACEFUL
upon its readers. A Partisan insists upon
getting what looks. at all events, like genu-
Inc reading matter on at least three pages
OF the paper he buys. and he will not toll
crate any other than the four-page form.
An eight-page experiment hns been made.
but tho failure WAS decisive. The Globe.
which started with abundance OF capital
and was conducted with adequate ability.
sank out Of sight for no other reason than
because. instead OF four pages. 1t had eight.
We do not dispute tho assertion that. SO
long us Parisians refuse to buy any but
four-page newspaper. it may DO difficult for
m honestly edited journal to live. But.
though difficult. it Is not impossible; the
proof is the continued existence OF the
Temps and tho Dfbats. which represent the
soundcr side OF French journalism. Then.
too. nothing could be cleaner than the col
umns of the Petit journal. OF which at least
a million copies are sold daily. But then.
according to Mr.. DELILLE. these newspa-
pers are not Partisan In q representative
sense. The Temps. for instance. is described
as Swiss. English. Protestant. anything exc
cept typically French. On the other hand.
tho Figaro Is French In the sense that
delightfully."- cooked. dcxterously served
dinner in a glitterng restaurant Is French.
although. in the one case as in the other.
the kitchen In tho roar may leave much to
be desired in respect OF wholesomeness.
1t Is undeniabfe. on the other hand. that