The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-04
JOE HOWARD on THE PRESS.
The New Workers. Address Before the Ma
tional Editors Association.

Mr.. Joe Howard. Jr.. one of New Yogk's
best known and brightest newspaper
| writer's, addressed the National Editors
| Association Monday, at Asbury Park
! y. J.
The New York Herald of yesterday
| gives this report of Mr. Towards speech:
Mr. Howard Immediately interested his
| audience. and proceeded 10 unfold before
them what was probably as clever a
mental panorama OF the progress Of jour
nalism as has ever been presented 10
an audience.
He succinctly attributed the need and
success Of journalism 10 one thing
namely, curiosity. Curiosity, he declared,
was just as strong in the year l, in the
Garden OF Eden, as 1t is now in the year
1894.
From the days Of the scroll-bearers,
the harpers and the troubatours Mr..
Howard traced the growth OF the news
paper briefly 10 the interesting period in
its growth just before the civil war. Let
US look back moment" he said. You,
who are practical newspaper men, know
what progress has been made in the me-
chanical evolution Of the newspaper In
these FEW years. Then 1t was possible 10
turn out 100 papers, printed on one side
only, in an hour, and then brag about II.
Now, on the enormous presses OF the
day, 1t is a common thing TO print 1900
papers In an hour, not only printed on
both sides, but pasted. numbered folded.
and laid ready for delivery. Sometimes
when | look into a press-room, when
| peer through the windows at that Won
derful mechanism. 1 wonder that there is
not a little gutta percha boy born at the
end of each 10000 papers, all ready TO
spring upon the street and call his wares.
Journalism In 1860 was at a standStill,'
continued the speaker, after referring in
a way that won the heartlest applause,
10 the men and heroes OF the time. we
use the telegraph now as they used a
messenger. We use the cable as they
used the United States mail.
There was no litue telegraph then-no
cable, no notwithstanding girls, or men
but there were great newspaper men.
Newspapers in those days meant some
thing too. they were important factors.
For the smallest and weakest-voiced to
have piped extra before church door
on a Sunday morning, would have emptied
that church In three minutes. Now the
cheap evening newspapers regularly label
their first editions extra, and 1t means
nothing.
Just now woman suffrage is agitatng
many Of the daily newspapers. 1 do not
believe in complicating things any more.
Why give a vote on finance 10 man that
has no money? Why give a vote 10 a man
that cannot read?
Il am chuck full Of sentiment. I love
TO see the green flag above huckster's
cart or on his horse on st. Patrck's
Day. | like 10 see the German, or the
flag on his national holiday, but not on
New York City Hall.
What's the matter with the American
flag? It's good enough, and big enough,
and has proved strong enough"
In conclusion, Mr.. Howard urged strong
~ the closer alliance Of editors with
clergymen, whom he declared were mot
all weak sisters, and the public schools.
SO them he concluded. when journalism,
earnest in its purpose TO spread the news,
and discreet in its comments thereon,
takes the pulpit by the right hand. and
the common school by the left, II will
prove indeed a giant force. pulling the
world in general and this nation In par
ticular, TO n high level OF intelligence and
morality. toward which end, ladies and
gentlemen. 1t should be your pleasant
duty persstently 10 strive"
The speaker was rousingly cheered at
the close of his address, was thanked by
a rising vote, and finally decorated, with
much ceremony. with the red, white and
blue badge Of the association.