The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-05
DIR. BOwDISH ON REPORTERS.
mrs PLEIsANr PERSONAL EIPERT-
ENCK WIN THEM

Two Views sr Jsur-siis--N Voc Deu't
Ike Dr.. Bewsi,h's Dos't Adopt tbst OF
Editor Pritehsrs OF the Christisu Nstio..
Aman once said In the presence OF the Rev.
DR.. Wellesley W. Bowdish, The press OF to-
day is dsbauehed. The editors are vensl and
the reporters lie shamelessly The newspaper
system IL bad from top to bottom" DIR. Bow
dish, who has q wide acausintance among
newspaper men all over the country. contra
dicted the statement and a discussion arose.
In which those present took eides- That dis
cusslon determined Mr.. Bowdish to make pub
lie some DAY his opinions in regard TO journal
ism. and with this Intention he preached last
night In his church. the Embury Methodist
Schenectady avenue. Brooklyn. . sermon on
the subisct: "Reporters Who Are They1
What Are They7"
His text was found In the words OF the Queen
Of Shsbs to Solomon. I. Kings. chapter 10.
verse 9: 1t was true report that heard In
mine own country Of thy acts and Of thy wis
DOM"
In this striking declaration" said Dr. Bow
dich. did the Queen OF Sheba. that royal pll-
grim OF knowledge. express her admiration
for the words Of the great King Solomon. 1t
was true report that che heard and hence Its
great value in this wonderful Bible where We
find II written. Let me declare here that
all like reports bearing upon them the
seal OF honest truthfuluess are justly
entitled to an intelligent confidence and
those who write them are equally worthy the
un1uestioned eompanionship OF the wisest
and the best people OF the land. And what Is
reported truthfuiy and intellirentlly will win
its royal right to perpetuity. as did the story
and the personal experience OF this illustrious
Queen. There have been a large number OF
tha w0Yld'a DOnulaNfon alma the time OF the
Queen OF Sheba who could say as che did:
The report you gave was in every respect
true. and IL indicated beyond question the real
intent OF the honest heart that inspired 1t. and
the intellig ence OF the mind that conceived II.
and the steadiness Of the hand that wrote IT
In this statement. to my mind. 10 epito-
mized the answer to the question: Who are
these reporters that hold to so large an extent
the journalism OF the secular and religious
press Of this i'm portant period Of the century,
As q class they are true hearted. clear minded.
wisdom seeking men and women. Some time
since one OF these reporters came to me to
make some inquiries concerning the impor-
tant church enterprise In which my people are
now engaged. and also to learn OF any progress
In the special religious work OF Embury
Another came to Interview me, upon
9TH other 'a0 Win rea%sss s for ' my view:
on the marriage contract. In these
terviews have been sought. there has been 3
most intelligent com prehensiono on the part OF
snS hs. at the
Intention to do exactly what was honest and
honors5ie IN fIrnisnins ne intoGm T to
personal experience has found abundant CON
hrmatlon 10 personal letters and Interview:
and other cities o. ibis state and other states;
cases OF Journ alism and that the secular press
OF the country WAS dsbauched. But am per-
nsIism The secular press has come 20 the
highest point OF efficiency aver attained In It's
eSsry.hine IN itersta9e art. science. music
!ss aaly ana weekly nss:p.SssI,ss VIM ma Dc:
ligious movements OF the times.
Nov. while the editor O a paper holds
ing the policy and politics OF his own paper
and conducts the general discussions and con-
and inssSrtg. low reporter holds most i'm.
portant place In the makeup OF tho paper
moral tone Of the current news aud OF the
items that appear affecting personal conduct
sonai knowledge and from the Testimony OF
editors 1 am glad to state without hesitation
learned well discipllned In mind. and consci.
s 10 MS Ss stas .sa p
reply to a question Of mine: ~
Reporters. as we'll as publishers. have
good cuisines. reasons for syoiding mi'ropre-
psrf Of tho stock In trade OF a newspapsr and
patientiy. and persistsntiy trained from the
beginning OF their work on two points above all
personal preferences TO affect their treatment
Of individuals or organizations
to broaden his estim ate Of the good ness OF hu-
manity on the one hand. and on the other to
h% fn:s shas Ss fHa
are quick to recognize and endorse sincerity
and goodness whsreyer they md Il In spite
ness. I believe that newspaper men compare
well morally with men o. other professions
which CONES to the man who addresses him;
self TO thousands OF readers every day. and
editor OF a great paper writes to me that in in
dustry. fidelity. sobristy, and veracity the ave-
years r 81 ioSsn.i.m he has daily occasoS to
place im plicit confidence In the Judgment OF
the reporter. and in no instance has that con-
Men in public life show their Just appracia-
ton OF reporters: Inc HON. James y: Blalns.
ship had a wider range OF observation upon
the suo.set in hand. said that he had repeat-
newspaper men. and never once In vain. II
was a noble testimonial coming from a man OF
would desire TO secure in every mind concern
ing the honorable intentions OF these men and
women connected with the journalism OF this
What are these reporters? This question
has already been answered in part. But let
me say more directly and positively. these
men are in the majority Of eases scholars who
the many colleges OF this country. They have
. genius for newspaper work and select their
vocation as seriously as others. Many OF them
are religious men and women. They love
their families and homes. and theJ strive TO be
honest. honorable, and God;feaTing citizens
In private life. as they are in their work.
In connection with this subject want to
speak OF still another matter that may help %
. clearer understanding OF what these men
ana women are, There Is now under consid.
Grafton In the state Legislature a revision of
the law OF libel For many years the publish
srs and editors OF newspapers have been sub;
lected to the greatest en- arrassment and
enormous costs by suits for damages in cases
OF personal libel. and. In many Instances, these
suits have been known TO be a species OF
blAckmauL They seek now such revision Of
the laws OF libel that no damages shall be as
sessed as punitive, but actual, and only then
when there shall be known to have been malice
and there has been no withdrawal ofthe print;
cd assault upon the character ! am Informed
hY those best capable of giving such informA-