Evening journal., 1893-06-30
IDEAL NEWSPAPERS.
THEY EXIST FOR ALL GLASSES OF So
GETTY AND NOT FOR ONE.

The Massachusetts, Society For the
Promotion of Good Citizenship has late
" been addressed by several distinguish |
ed gentlemen in a series Of lectures upon |
the subject Of journalism, and the re-
suit should be a clear understanding of |
what is necessary to constitute the ideal
newspaper. Unfortunately, however,
these philosophers are at hopeless con-
traries. No two of them agree upon
any essential point They have conflict
ing views not only as to the casual fea-
lures of the case, but also as TO the
fundamental facts. What one consid-
ers a drawback another declares to be
an advantage. Their methods of anal
ysis and Judgment differ as widely as if
they were designed simply to bewilder
the average mind. They are in harmony
only upon the proposition that there is
great room for improvement in the daily
press.
When it comes 60 telling how the inn
provement should be made, they have
their individual notions and are unable
tomale the samo recommendation in a
single respect. They would each have
newspaper suited to his special prefer
ences and prejudices without regard to
the tastes and wants Of tho rest Of the
world. II does not seom to occur to
them that journalism appeals to a mis-
cellaneous audience, and that It must
adapt iss0lf to the demands of the many
instead Of the wishes Of the few, or it will
lose its occupation. They would have
it cater 20 a select constituency, forget
ting that IL it had TO depend upon a sS
lect constituency for support it would
soon cease to exist.
It is true Of most criticism Of the news
papers that it is thus narrow and un-
reasonable Any intelligent man can
easily map out a modal journal from his
point Of view, but his point Of view does
not include the whole field. At the most
it only relates to the opinions and tend
encies Of q class, whereas a community
is composed Of many classes, all having
different desires and interests. The ed
itor who knows his business seeks to
please the majority and not the minori-
ty He knows that his paper must have
more patrons than any ono class can
furnish II it is to thrive and keep pace
with tho progress OF the age.
~ ~ llOl " 10 oulIlouA AlAtAh AAN AAtAtAAAA ~
his position as that of a man with a
solemn mission for the dispensation Of
wisdom and virtue, whatever the
pecuniary results may be. He cannot
afford to talo himself so seriously His
functions. as he understands them, are
OF a more practical nature, and export
enco teaches him that success lies In the
direction Of recognizing and gratifying
variety Of tastes
In that way only can he secure the
number of readers necessary to pay the
large and constantly increasing expense
Of gathering the news from all parts OF
the globe and presenting all current In
formation about the affairs Of mankind.
It is quite likely that no often prints
matter OF q superficial and transient or
der, but It has its value to those who
want it. and that is its justification Sc
long as reasonable discrimination is used
in selecting and apportioning it. Those
who do not care for it are at liberty tC
skip it and read only what they like
which may be equally distasteful tC
others.
There would be a great deal less Of this
talk about tho ideal newspaper If thi
critics would stop to think that we arr
not yet living in an Ideal world. Th'
press. like every other public institution
is subject to existing conditions and in
duences and cannot dictate the terms o.
its own service and prosperity. 1t haN
come to its present state Of usefulnes
and importance through a process o
gradual evolution. There has been {
systematic improvement in its characte
and its proceedings. II grows moro cred
liable every year as its opportunities ex
tend and its popularity increases.
To say that it is not perfect is only t
say that it shares the prevailing short
comings Of human nature and is gov
erned by tho law Of environment. It be
gan by being a luxury, and it has be
come a necessity. This could not hay
happened if it had not vindicated II
right to such copsideration. Things d
not become indispensable unless the
have definite and practical value. 1t
not possible to conceive how we coul
get along without newspapers. They OK
cupy a larger place in the system Of moo
ern civilization than any other one agel
cy OF general convenience and advaI
tage
The people appreciate them, notwit
standing the efforts Of certain carpers
disparage and discredit them. It Is nj
true that their faults exceed their Vi
tues They perform their appoint'
work with diligence, discretion and
due sense Of responsibility. The wor
that can be said Of them is that they a
not better than the world in which tn
are published. But they are unQuestio
ably twice as good as the world whi
makes them what they are, and when
reaches the ideal standard they will g
there also.-St. Louis Globe Democrat
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