The record-union., 1893-12-12
JOURNALISM IN MEXICO.
How an American Reporter Got
Mexican Paner Into Trouble.

How an American Reporter Got
Mexican Paper Into Trouble.
Haven't you worked on a Mexican
newspaper" l asked Dave Ward, the old
tramp reporter, as we fshed for black
bass from the same ski1f the other day.
"Haw! hawl hawp' laughed Dave, as
his wrinkled old face lighted up like big
lantern. "Yes, / had a sit on daily
paper in the City of Mexico about ten
years ago, and it was rare experience.
ANY objection TO stating particulars"
None at all. Haw! hawi haw! But 1t
was funnyi | was on one OF my trips
around the globe and got financially
busted in the City of Mexico. L can
speak and write Spanish, and it occurred
to me that might get a sit on one OF the
dailies.
Il dropped in on the editor of the Gov
ernment organ and stated my case and he
took me on the local department. /
looked over the files to see how some To-
cal matters had run, and could only find
about half column day, and most Of
that was three or tour days old when
printed. l thought it a good chance for
Yankee enterprise and started into hus-
tie. When l got around TO the office again
l had two columns of live matter ready to
work up. The editor wanted to know
what L had found, and l showed him my
bundle and expected a word of praise.
Instead of being pleased, he mournfully
said:
my dear sir, all this happened last
night or to-day. 1t is too fresh. 1t would
excite our readers. And, besides, 1t
would be unfair TO our contemporaries to
publish these things first
'In the batch / had fatal accident. A
drunken Mexican had fallen off his mule
and broken his neck.
THAT is sad, very sad,' said the edi-
tor, but we cannot publish it. The shock
would be too great on our readers. In
two weeks they can read OF it with placid
ity. | know his brother, and [ know the
brother wouldn't like to see the sad ac-
count in the paper
"'Well, here is child run over by a
water cart l said.
"tAh! That is all very we'll. We will
let some other paper publish it first and
thus be sure there is no mistake.'
=" HERE'S a case OF man stabbed in
fight
'''That is not so sad, but the police have
not notified me yet. Besides, he may
die. 1t is better to wait a week or so and
see if he dies
"'How about an old man found dead in
his bed?' l inquired, as l dug out my
notes of the affair.
a shock. He may have many relatives,
and some of them would be offended. l
think at one time he was an insurgent,
and the Government might desire me TO
say nothing
"'But don't you wantlany live news?'
"'Oh, yes. You had best go and see
my friend, SenOr Don --. He gen.
orally has news-important news. He
will gladly give you all he can, and it
will be pleasing TO the public and per-
fectIy reliable
I posted off TO see his friend,' con-
tinued Dave, as ihe reeled in his line TO
see if the bait was all right. "He was a
high stopper and a Jim Dandy. When
1 told him what L wanted he cried out:
"'It is splendid! shall give you
great news! 1t is news Of the army, and
therefore of the Government, and to
please all readers. My good friend, Cap
tain A, has resigned his commission
and will enter into business
"'When did he resignY
"'Six weeks ago! You are the first to
have it! 1t will be great newsv
"That's the way things went for three
or four days. and then l got hold of some
thing about one of the Government
officials being short in his accounts. L
had my facts solid and ripped him up the
nassed in and was published. Haw! haw!
haw!"
''What resulted ?'
'"rhe paper hadn't been out an hour
when the police swooped down upon us
and waltzed US all off to jail. When 1
saw all mean every man Jack connected
with the paper, from editor-in-chief down
to press feeder and Office boy 1t was an
attack on the Government, you see, and