The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-21
Newspaper Work.


made an address to the Wharton School
of Finance and Economy, at the Univer-
sity, Philadelphia, Pa, recently upon
Newspaper Work The audience was
large one, and included the senior class of
the College department and several of the
Professors.
Newspaper work, said Col. Mcclure,
sis one of the most comprehensive enter
prises carried on to-day, and, though so
varied in its character, there are still GER
tain fundamental principles which must be
acquired by every one who succeeds IN
journalism. There is no profession which
so many seek to enter and fall not a day
but young men and women seek at every
great newspapers Office for employment
They come with all sorts of Recommended
ton, but when young man tells me who
his father and grandfather were he need
90 no further. If he says he had a leg
broken in foot ball, or something similar,
we know, at least, there is 90 in him.
One thing needed in journalism is percep-
ton. As | looked at those young men OF
the University foot ball team, the other
evening at the reception, | thought, there
is sport which quickens perception
''There are many men working on news
papers who are only machines. Perhaps
it would be safe to say that one-half of the
men who do newspaper work are not jour
nalists. In journalism one must be at the
head of all In our profession concentra-
ton of all forces is absolutely necessary.
Now the man who can take the editor
chair and put out paper is Journalist,
If the chief editor leaves an article that
needs revision he must revise it. There
are not more than three or four such men
on any newspaper. Journalism is more
than writing a good article; it is an enor-
nous, complicated burden. There is one
thing not generally known in regard to
newspapers fact, the reverse is pre-
sumed to be the truth. Many speak OF
the unreliable character of newspapers. L
have heard many speak of this. Wemust
remember that the interviewed finds his
statements of personal matters looking far
l l.. al add inf
aud in nine cases out of ten, when a dis
pute arises in regard to the accuracy of an
interview, the reporter is right.
''The one thing necessary in journalism
is accuracy. No principle is more rigor-
ously taught in newspaper offices than the
truth will venture to say that journal
lists would make fewer mistakes than min
isters in the pulpit would under the same
circumstances. The truth must be ascer-
tanned The newspaper man acts on the
news on the spur of the moment; the cor
respondent understands well that he must
get the best he can 1t is the Journalists
mission to publish the complete news OF
the country. No man can enter Journal
ism who does not comprehend this one
thing, that accuracy and fidelity to truth
are essential principles of journalism.
When you laugh at an inaccuracy, depend
upon it. it has been furnished upon the
very best information which could be had.
When YOU find man who is noted for
truth and fidelity to his duty, that man
will succeed in journalism.
;'0ne more word to you, young men,
and that is, the profession of journalism is
not full. There has never been time
when great journals did not want man at
salary of from $4,000 to $4,000, and We
want men who, like Horace Greeley and
Henry Raymond, have been taught in the
school of everyday life; men who have
come in close touch with mother earth.
4 journalist must know the people to
whom his newspaper is sent. Journalism
is the broadcast of all our professions You
young men, must remember that the
proper study of mankind is man in any
cause. One thing which makes success
in any field is to know the men with whom
you have to deal regard the position
of editor OF responsible newspaper as the
highest position in life.
At the close of the address Dr. Adams,
in behalf of the students and faculty of
the Wharton School, extended to Colonel
Mcclure a vote of thanks for his instruct
i've address.