The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-18
Better Daily Literature"

Better Daily Literature"
While tho LSreLLIGEScER agrees with
few things said BY Rov. DR.. A. Moore
yesterday in his remarks on "Better
Daily Literature delivered at tho
North street church, in which he took
occasion to. score tho press OF this city.
it bcgs leave to take issue with him in
some things. The chief interest OF the
doctors address lies in tho fact that tho
subject was not treated with that dc.
gree OF fairness which its nature de-
manded. This We are not disposed to
.censure the author for severely, since it
is scarcely expected that man with
out newspaper knowledge or experience
is capable Of instructing those OF prac-
teal knowledge in the conduct OF their
own business. No moro is it expected
that an inexperienced layman is COM
petent to instruct Dr.. Moore in his
duties as pastor.
If the doctor conceives it to be one OF
his pastoral duties to assis. in raising
the standard OF the daily press by cult
waiting among his people a desire for
''better.daily literature" all laymen, in
Guiding tho "irreligious" editors them.
selves, should join with him in the cru
sade-for the public welfare, if for no
other reason. But in conducting re-
form OF this charactera leader occupying
so responsible position as DR.. Moore
should exercise care lest he weaken the
cause at the MISREPRESENTATION false
premises and misrepresenting (uninten-
tionally, Of course) conditions as they
exist.
When, for instance. DR.. Moore says
in effect that tho daily press OF this
city gives moro space to the reports OF
sporting events and sensational news
than to occurrences in tho religious
world, he makes q violent statement
and one which isnot borne out by facts.
Ii the reverend gentleman reads his
morning paper regularly he will observe
that quito the contrary ofwhat he states
is true. More columns OF space in the
course OF year are devoted, to the
class OF local nows which DR.. Moore
would denominate as strictly legitimate
and religious than to any other kind OF
matter. The ISTELL1oEScER speaks for
itself when it says that within the past
two or three weeks. taking them as an
example, c larger proportion OF space
has been devoted to occurrences in the
local religious and charitable worl dis
than to any other species OF local nows.
This is statement that careful and
Observation-Disclosures will verify,
and which older pastors than DR..
Moore will bear us out in.
We are moved to believe that DR..
Moore, like many other critics OF the
daily press, is promo to take narrow
view OF the question. To them half
column account of a local occurrence
which is not to their tasto looks much
longer than the column or two column
report Of q revival service, or camp.
meeting, or sermon, or lecture, or
charity concert, about all OF which
things, the 1SrELIGENcER is glad to say,
it endeavors to keep the public thor
oushly posted.
The newspapers arc supported by
the whole community and are not pub
lished for the benefit of any one class.
They try, rs far as possible, to publish all
the news which it is proper to publish.
We agree with DR.. Moore that thefo is
q disposition on the part OF some to, at
times, cater to corrupted taste in the
publication Of details which ought
never to see the light Of publicity, and
SO far as his remarks apply to this evil
NC cheerfully endorse them. But it is
q questionif the moral community is
not itself to blame Tor this. Is It not to
supply demand that tho newspapers
are published? Does not tho Inv OF
supply and demand largely govern in
this as well as all other enterprises?
It is true that higher standard is
desirable. lit has not been reached it
is not altogether the fault OF the nows-
papers. Dr.. Moore hit upon truth
which was entirely out of harmony
with his preceding remarks when he
closed his address by saying: THE
press likes high. standard and if wo
show that that is what wo want the
high standard will DO adopted
Tho ISrELLIoEScER likes high stand
ard and will continue to follow it SO far
as possible. In tho meantime it trusts
Z that those Of its constituents who ike
ahigh standard will show their appre-
citation OF it by giving credit when
credit is due. This will contribute