Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-12
-. JANUARY IL. 1893.
Newsnaners and Society.

The ball given by the Commonwealth
Club last night was not reported by the
DISPATCH because that was understood to
be the desire OF the managers. who had
the undoubted right TO pass upon this
question, and whose wishes we gladly re-
spected. II was an experiment in G reform
which commands our appreciation; though
we may be permitted to doubt II il is sup
ported BY popular sympathy or is alto
,eether in keeping with the ideas of the age.
The Richmond papers were slow to adopt
the custom Of giving accounts Of great
public or semI-p public entertainments,
with the names Of the ladies present and
descriptions of the dresses that they wore,
but gradually-indeed, almost impercepti-
bly--fell into line with more northern con-
temporaries in obedience to public de-
mand which they could hardly resist. 1t
was an easy graduation from watering place
letters to reports of great marriages, grand
balls. and other society entertainments,
and we trust that we shall be pardoned for
believing that our community the more
readily yielded TO tho introduction OF this
custom because Of the confidence that it
of the press
Conservative journalism has long pro-
vailed in Richmond and oil over the South.
The liberties taken elsewhere with mems
names have never been approved here.
while womanhood has been chivalrously
respected. and rarely indeed has any Rich
mond matron or maid bad occasion to
complain Of any misuse OF her name IN
the public prints; nor can we recall any
instance where any family's privacy was
knowingly invaded by reporter.
Wherever an intimation has been given
that q newspaper notice OF an entertain
nent was not desired it has been omitted
That certainly has been the DIsPATcH's
rule, and if there has been any exception
to it il has been the result of misunder-
standing rather than of any determined
purpose TO oppose our wishes 10 the wishes
Of those who had the right to control IN
the matter.
We understand very well indeed that
numerous people who are utterly opposed
to the publication of society news. and
would ioyfully consent to its perpetual
Punishment from newspaper columns,
would not feel complimented for their en-
tertainments TO be omitted where general
lists of entertainments were gwen, or TO
be ignored on occasions when other per-
sons names and dresses were printed. we
know, too, that some earnest opponents OF
the custom have reluctantly yielded to 1t
in Difference to popular opinion rather
than be thought "up-ishh or considered
indifferent to the kind offices of friends OF
the press. There Is little Inconsistency in
this: but, if any at all be found, it will
he conceded 20 be of that amiable character
which goes 80 far towards the harmonious
adjustment Of the metes and bounds OF
society.
It's as natural for man or woman to like
70 see his or her name respectfully men
tionedi IN print. as il Is for man to look al
pretty woman. or a woman to look at
love of a bonnet" Yet who knows but
the day may come when public opinion
may demand that no womans name shall
ever be allowed to appear in type, save IN
The advertising column set apart for mar
riages and deaths We must confess that
we see no approach of that day. but yet
its dawn may be nearing.
IL IL an amazing faIlacy, prevalent Win
ill.informed or thoughtiess people, that the
newspaper reporters heart is filed with
gratitude when he is assigned by the chief
of his department to report banquet, a
ball, OF a wedding. Why, of all work that
can be given him it If the least
desirable! For him 1t is tread-mill-not
"a bower of enchantment," 81 rose
garden" or "scene of bewildering
beauty" For him is ordered a whole
nights grinding. hurried work. For him
Is set that most vexatious of all tasks-to
be one of the few workers IN the midst OF
great company of pleasure-seekers.
But back to our mutton: We await with
interest the result of the reform inaugu-
rated by the Commonwealth Club, and we
can do SO with the greater impartiality
nince our relations with its managers are
and have ever been of the most agreeable
character, and since no one was more
heartily DESTROYS than the DISPATCH OF
seeing such an experiment fairly tried.