The record-union., 1894-02-14
ETHICS OF METROPOLITAN JOUR.
NALISM,

DIR. West began his defense yesterday. 1t is
a defense that requires mighty strong bracing
at several points. One of those same points
received such q smash from a heaVlly-lOaded
authority hurled by District Attorney Barnes
during the days hearing that Attorney Ferral
for the defense, announced that his side was
taken Overwhelmingly by surprise. An ad-
Journment was accordingly taken till this
morning,
The above paragraph is the coarse not
to say vulgar opening of purported
report" of pending murder trial in
San Francisco, as printed in pretentious
aaeaos paper that boasts loudly of itself as
q model of journalistic excellence. The
biased and personal headings of the So
called report are in keeping with the
animus the paragraph quoted discloses.
The question we have in hand is not con-
corning the guilt or the innocence of DR..
West, but concerning journalistic decency
and policy.
There are many men, unfortunately,
controlling newspapers whose concep-
ton of their Office rises to no higher q
level than their greed and their preju-
take a side, and that having done so it is
in duty bound to its credit to stick to it.
The idea that the chief end of all hu-
man activity, energy and though ht should
be the evolution of the truth, one must
conclude never enters into the heads of
these self-sufficient men. who fondly
49, ;o,rrpoIiSfS
Is it any wonder that so many news
paper men are disliked, feared, and to a
large extent hated, and that the news
paper press generally is so bitterly criti-
cised and that the newspaper business is
falling into disrepute. when it is recalled
that there are so many journals conducted
upon the theory that their office usurps
of right the functions of the law; that 1t
is the arbiter of human rights, the COM
missioned inquisitor into private con-
Germs, and the irresponsible judge and
Jury of all it chooses to try?
Is it any wonder that there is such a
general and bitter outcry by people who
stand level in morals and good citizen
ship with the best there are in journal
ism, that it is unfair. indecent and out
rageous to put into the hands of those the
power to try and srraign by newspaper
as is largely true in metropolitan centers
who are qualified neither by moral SEN
sibility of their responsible trusts, ma
g., ol l. lodi
of the law and the rights Of men under
it?
We submit to every man in the news
paper business who desires to see his pro-
fession command public respect. whether
such policies as are indicated in the para
graph placed at the head Of this article,
and which is but sample Of the whole
preiudiced and embittered report, is fair,
manly or becoming any human being
having regard for commonest decency?
Some day there will come about ter
rible reckoning. The press some day,
though high its office, limitless its posi-
bilities and boundless its opportunities
to advance the race, maintain justice
conserve human rights and down oppres-
sion. wrong and all manner of unchari-
tableness. will stand at the bar Of out.
ragged public opinion for trial. And when
1t comes it will be convicted and con-
demned in SO far as those papers are con-
cerned which bring reproach and con-
tumely upon the business.
The result of this reckoning will be the
substitution of the decent, fearless, Wig
orous, fair-play and truthful press fol
that which is piling up so much OF evi
for the business.
DR.. West may be guilty, be may be in.
nocent; but, guilty or innocent, he is en-
titled to a fair and impartial trial. ano
equally he and the public to fair ano
;mnartial report of that trial. if any re-
mort is attempted. At the time the charge
was first laid at his door the metropolitan
nress devoted four, five, six, ten column;
aday to exploiting his case. and every
tragic fact or suspicion against him. Day
after dav It went on, and ran into weeks
until the public sickened OF the filthy ane
narrowing details gathered up by the re-
norters from all possible quarters.
ALI that may now be passed by witnou