New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06
ENGLISH JOURNALISM.
yTs RELATION TO LITERATURE-THE
PROFESSION AND ITS PROFESSORS
THE NEW DEPARTURE OF
THE DAILY NEWS

THE DAILY NEWS"
London April H.
A rather remarkable thing has happened A
toast 10 Literature" has been proposed al
nuhlic dinner-that Is not remarkabe-it mas
been replied to by eminent judge anu INC
eminent Judge has spoken with cvty and in
terest Of Journalism. That would not suppose
strike YOU as remarkable in America. 1t Is re-
mar,,abIa here where Journalism, for all its lofty
tone in print holds personal and social po-
clifton below that of America and very much
below that Of France. The Judge was Sir
Francis .Teune president OF the Probate and
Admiralty Court; one Of tn, three or four great
positons on the Bench. Sir Francis said that
literature had now taken journalism into
partnership. II II were necessary to admit that
Journalism was literature In a hurry, 1t was
literature still and some Of 1t of high order,
though perhaps ephemera. 1t was moreover
responsible for great deal Of the welfare or
the nation.
II this be an unusual tone. the journals ana
journalists are themselves chiefly to blame. /
don't know sharper contrast than between the
onnscient and apostolic tone I'm which the Eng
lish Journalist with pen in his hand discusses
the affairs OF the universe and the tone In which
the same Journalist speaks of his own profession
We all know how he thundcrs from the Mount
Sinai Of Printing House Square, or Shoe Lane
There Is no lack Of self-assertion In any OF the
great journals of this country. They all speak
with authority, and come of them with just
authority. They teachers and masters ana
to some extent rulers Of the land.
But II you have occasion-most people do not
10 know much OF their private relation TO
the world which in their professional capacity
they direct you may well be struck with the
humbleness Of their attitude. They are In the
world but not Of IT, With a certain number
Of distinguished exceptions. they seem To regard
themselves and their colleagues as holding a
position Of inferiOrity. Tc be Journalist Is to
be nobody. save for the purposes Of Journalism
The rule OF the anonymous is carried so far
that II Is deemed an act OF presumption that
a journalist should be anything but a journalist;
should have an individuality; should think him
self equality with those to whom he
supplies information and opinions. He belongs,
In his own view TO a different and lower caste.
lie is quite that journalism is a profess
sion. az law and theology are.
The Bar and the Church not afflicted with
this kind Of humility. They take each their own
place. They have esprit de corps. They are
great trade unions. They assert themselves not
The barrister respects the barrister; the clergy
man respects the clergyman; and both would be
much surprised II others dd not respect them.
and II their colleagues did not so carry them
selves to win respect; nay. to exact IT, II need
be. Not so the English journalist He seems
content with his lowliness. He thinks it pre-
sumptuous to aspire to n condition not of depend
ency. He looks askance upon journalist who
attempts anything outside of his profession.
Sometimes. 1t Is true members Of this singular
guild climb into Parliament. Sometimes though
more rarely. they gain foothold IN society.
Sometimes they write books or mnge in affairs.
In each case they are thought ambitious and
overconndent. II there were a spirit OF COM
radeship. or even a corporate spirit such sue
cesses would be- welcomed. The immense power
OF the profession would be used, fairly and honor
ably. to advance the interests Of these successful
members Of the profession or, at least. 10 recog-
nze them. Everybody knows that the contrary
is true
Does anybody know why? Mere jealousy will
not explain It. There jealousies elsewhere;
all ranks and conditions are honeycombed with
them. can think OF no explanation except the
one first suggested: the explanation OF conscious
nfcriority. The fact that many journalists
are new men may have something TO do with IT,
They have come up from below, and have brought
with them the feelings ard opinions Of that lower
stratum OF life. They allow themselves 10 be
bufreted. They hang about lobbles. They are
treated-since have mentioned the word lobby
! may as well say so-with something very Ike
contempt by the Legislators who are dependent
on them The Journalists Of Hungary have
Just had a contest with their Parliament. and
won II by the simple expedient Of a strike. The
Parliamentary reporters IN England have had.
and still have every reason TO resent their treat
ment by both Houses Of Parliament. Now ana
then they demonstrate or address a petition 70
the authorities. Their grievances are perhaps adj
mitted 10 be just. but they remain unredreSsed;
for various reasons. The authorities would re-
dress them II they could but the poin; is that
the Journalists submit. Why do they submit?
The profession Of journalism in England may
I'm truth boast not only Of many able and ac-
complished men. but OF men perfectly capable
OF holding their own in any company. In any
position They are capable OF much broader
life than the one they choose to lead. They
could. not all at once but in time. put their
profession on a level with other professions a
few OF them are perfectly aware of this. Few
of them do belong to other worlds than that or
Fleet Street The two or three men whose names
occur at once to anybody who knows the truth
are the names of the who hold this dual
posItion and who adorn the one as much as
the other They are actively concerned In the
two or three organized efforts for the improve
ment of journalism. There are others OF equal
rank whose activity is less: there are others
who hold entirely aloof II Is this want OF
common effort and a common purpose when
makes individual effort SO barren. There Is. Tor
example an Institute OF Journalists, with a
membership OF thousands. DO many of the lead
ing editors or newspaper owners In London be-
long to IT, or take part In its proceedings?
think not Their names at any rate. do not APP
pear Yet II Is in such directions that success Is
TO be looked for.
An enlargement of The Daily News Is an
nounced, which will henceforth ION most days