The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-03
THE BEST

The great men of the country are
measured by success in great undertake
ings. Tho astronomer who solves n
problem that has baftled the scientists
Of four centuries, the chemist whose
trained and subtle mind discovers an I'M
known element of nature, the physician
or lawyer who masters n study and thus
evolves that which we call originality,
often live and die unknown to more
than "A small class Of newspaper
readers. 1t is the man who makes a
million, the star actor, tho great politi-
clan, who together find it necessary to
secure the largest fame and the closest
, relations with the public in order to
win success. The great merchant be-
longs to this class. He must have a
great clientele and to secure this, must
needs understand not only the many de-
tails of his business but the art OF at
tracing public attention and winning
the largest degree Of public patronage
and endorsement.
John Wanamaker 10 such a man. He
is u king among merchants because he
has not only a thorough knowledge of
his own business, gained by actual ex-
%perience in all departments, but in adj
dition has a broad and comprehensive
understanding Of public demand. He
knows what the people want, how to
supply it, and finally, how to let them
know it. AS he has often said, the
newspaper is the only vehicle for reach
ing the public mind. His great business
has been yearly increased by applying
this knowledge, and it is therefore not
surprising that he should refer to the
Importance OF studying the daily press
for purposes other than advertising.
Last Sunday Mr.. Wanamaker nd
dressed a very large audience OF Sunday
school children in Salt Lake City. This
is a favorite recreation with him in most
cities on his route of travel. He has
long been interested IN the Sunday
school movement and has given both
money and time to this work. Among
! other sensible bits Of advice to the Salt
Lake boys and girls, MI. Wanamake1
told them not to go through life asleep,
but to be awake and ready for the op-
portunity which offers itself. "The
man who WINS" he said, sis the man
who gets there first" and finally, he
summed up everything by emphasizing
the importance of observing what is 60
ing on in the world, in other words, tc
read the newspapers.
Could this great business leader have
given advice moro wholesome or sug-
hope for in this world if he does not fol
low the trend of affairs, and how can he
do this without reading the newspaper!
1t is not only the best and most helpful,
history of the times, but it is the best
text took. 1t ought to be read aloud ir
the public schools each day. Topics
which interest the world like the recen,
accession of young Alexander to the
Servian throne, the Irish home rule bill
the depletion Of our gold reserve in the
government treasury, should be brief,
and simply discussed by the teachers
The parents should likewise assist il
the work and encourage daily reading o
the papers by all members of tho famil.
circle. In this way an interest is sool
aroused and the boy or girl will gras]
the work without further urging.
1t may be argued that the daily new
paper contains much that is unfit TO
the young and tender mind. To a Gel
tain degree this is true, but the bene
fits derived from newspaper readini
outweigh all possible injuries. More
over, If the papers are read aloud ar
discussed by older minds, the bad fea
lures may easily be omitted.
AS Mr.. Wanamaker says, the way
win victory in life is to be ready for tn
opportunities. The great work then
to prepare for them. This car be don
! by acquiring knowledge Of men an
affairs, and where is there a cheaper {
q better medium for this purpose than tt
\ daily newspaper?