The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-17

A NOTABLE JOURNALIST.

Mr.. JOHN Lemoinne, who died on Thurs
day in Paris, WAS man seldom heard of
outside of the small circle in which he
moved, but has nevertheless been power
in the world. Fifty-two years ago, at the
age of %, he connected himself with the
DebQtS newspaper In Paris rs mail editor
In special charge Of the news from England.
That connection was never severed to the
day of his death, but very shortly after he
joined the DebatS staff it was discovered
that he wielded a trenchant pen, aud he
combined the duties of editorial writer with
those which he had originally assumed. For
over third of a century some of the most
vigorous and brightest articles in the
DebdtS have been written by him. not only
on bis speciality Of English politics, but on
French affairs likewise, and on the evolu-
ton Of modern political science. These
were times when the paper pursued course
with which he was not in sympathy. On
these occasions his name only appeared at
the foot of articles concerning British mat
tiers. But when he and the editor were
agreed, which WAS generally the case, he
wrote editorials which dictated the policy
of the Government
His knowledge was so wide and his style
so pure that he was frequently importuned
to write q book. He always declined, say
Ing that he was writing part Of a book
every day Of his life. His wants were
modest and alter he became appreciated by
his employers he received n salary which
amply satisfied him. Sixteen years ago.
when Jules Janin died. he succeeded him as
member of the Academy, the highest
honor man Of letters in France can aspire
to, and four years later he was chosen Sen
ator for life. Thus by the loyal discharge
OF his duties as a working member of the
press he attained The Hottest rewards which
letters can bestow-political and literary
rank, decent competency and the respect
and affection Of the community in which he
lived. Ii is a record as honorable sit is rare
French journalism differs so widely from
journalism in this country aud in England
that 1t may always be studied with profit
Every prominent statesman in France
either graduated from the ranks Of journal
ism or bought or connected himself with q
newspaper to express his views after he
became prominent. A political leader
must have an organ, and his power as often
depends on the ability of the organ as upon
his own capacity as leader of men. When
FTenchmen want to know the views which
Monsieur 4 CT Monsieur b takes of a pub
lie question they look at his newspaper in
stead Of reading his speeches. In England
a connection between a public man and
newspaper Is The rarest thing In the world.
Public men resent the imputation OF being
affiliated with a newspaper, and news
papers are equally quick to repel the charge
that they are inspired. During Sir Robert
PeePs last administration he was yigor-
ously supported by The London Times
When he resigned he wrote to thank the
Times for support which was 'the more
valuable because II was discriminating, and
which came from one with whom | never
communicated and whose person is un-
known TO me-" The tradition controls to
this day.
In this country public men used to have
organs. which felt the public pulse and de-
Tended them from attack. But the practice
has gone ont Of fashion. No newspaper at
the present day can claim TO be the organ
of Mr.. Harrison or Mr.. Cleveland. or Nh
Blaine CT Senator Hill When newspaper
approves tie policy Of public man it gives
him its support, but he is not responsible
for the tone Of the newspaper, and it is free
to withdraw its support when it pleases
This arrangement is obviously more whole
some, both for public men and for the
press, than The old fashion of organs We
know how it is in this State. When contro-
versies arose between the railroad and the
people the former bought or established
newspapers to advocate It's views. These
Journals were at once known TO be subsi-
died, and their utterances were taken at
their proper value. They could not help
their hackers, and they injured them by
presenting a target for perpetual attack.
When the Chronicle stopped spluttering
against the railroad every one knew that
De YouDg's pocket had been flied with
Huntington's money; the result was fatal
RI hot