The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-22
HER IDEAS.
Many BrightWomen Express
Themselves on Newspapers.

Some weeks ago THE NEWS invited wo-
mankind to express itself on the question
Chow may q newspaper be made most ac-
ceptable TO the family circleY"
The suggestion that letters be written tne
editor on this subject apparently created
a considerable interest-an interest which
perhaps had an added Importance from
the fact that The NEWS offered to present
TO the writer of the most practically sug-
gestive letter an India silk dress pattern
though from many of the writers OF the
best t@tters 1t was expressly stated that the
author did not wish TO compete Tor the
prize but simply wrote because she wanted
To Write-to take advantage OF the opper-
tunity offered to have her say, 30 10
speak.
Thirty eight letters were received in
cluding the concise and incisive commu-
nication which came first through the
mail and which may be reprinted without
wasting any space, as follows;
.low may newspaper be made most acceptable
70 the family circle7' "a,
BY being correct clean cheerful, cute, and DIS.
NEWS isl
A dozen Of the communications have
been selected and printed from time
TO time, these being picked Out
this dozen THE NEWS will endeavor to
select the best and that accomplished
samples of India silk will be sent the
writer for her selection OF dress pat
terms.
The views expressed were not altogether
various though they were varionsly ex,
pressed. Many united on features and
there were few differences where
the same line OF suggestions
was made. Many OF the writers were
good enough to aver that THE NEWS was
about right as an accepta ie iainliy
newspaper, while many OF the sug-
gestions otherwise made are already in
corporated i'm the daily conduct of
THE NEWS. AS one writer brightly puts
it: "Inasmuch as The NEWS furnishes
in readable and condensed form
the topics of the day, both at home
and abroad, for the pecuniary compepsa-
tion OF 1 cent, 1 cannot conceive what
| more could be desired. In regard to how
| can it be most acceptable 10 the family
circle, / frankly admit that i cannot per
| ceive any other method than the one IL is
| now pursuing-a bright, intelligent and
comprehensive compendium of the affairs
OF the world. What more can one ask Tor
| one cent 2"
Here Is q summary OF some Of her ideas:
Two thought the newspaper that was
| sent free TO the family would
be most acceptable, while one ex-
| pressly protested against undertaking
| your paper by reduction in price" The
latter, though in a minority, is decidedly
| the more attractive suggestion from the
| point of view OF the counting room.
Most all the writers agree that the pres
entation of the latest news should be the
| most important feature of good
family newspaper and 1t Is perhaps
contradiction of the estimate that men
has OF her that she, in almost every letter,
expresses the conviction that the present.
alton should be ''condensed and compre-
| hensive,"
| No less than eleven OF the writer's sug-
| gest that daily short sT0Fy IS a dESirUbfe
feature to incorporate and three specify
| that the story should be humorous. This
is a suggestion that THE NEWS will en-
| deavor to act upon Ii it can make satisfac-
tory arrangements.
| There is practical uuanimity OF opin-
| ion that while it should not be abusive,
the editorial policy of a good newspaper
should be aggressive and permit OF
no misapprehension in the minds
cal flag it is following. Most
| OF the writers who refer to it ct all think
| that the proper policy should be Republic
can. That's what THE NEWS thinks.
Church and religious matters OF news
are pointed out as desirable features of a
| good newspaper. No paper in Rhode ISL
| and, THE News Is glad to say, gives more
| attention to such matters than does THE
| News. 1t knows that they are OF inter
| est to thousands of newspaper readers.
| 1t is of interest to note that many oi
the letter writers have full appreciation
| OF the value OF market reports and flnan-
| cial and sporting news as desirable fea-
| lures of good newspaper.
| Two writer's don't want to have a good
| newspaper advocate woman suffrage. Three
| writer's think woman suffrage ought to bs
| an important movement for O newspaper
| to advocate. THE NEWS is accordingly
| in doubt, and invites more expressions Oh
| this subject.
The news of fraternal orders is cited as
desirable by nine writers. THE NEWS has
/ reputation in this respect. Most OF the
/ Sunday newspapers copy largely from the
Saturday NEWS for their lodge and society
| columns.
| Something of interest to children il
urged by seven writers, but just what, is
not suggested. THE News will be glad
| to hear more on this subject-whethei
stories, a puzzle department., historical
| department, school department, or what
A large minority of the writer's want as
many advertisements printed as pos
o hord of sympathy in THE NEWS
| They may depend upon it, The NEWS
| will print all the advertisements
| il can get hold of. "Caution
should be exercised to exclude all who
| advertise for fraud or deceit, land THE
| News excludes such almost every day.
A majority of the writer's decry sensa-
| tionalism and the printing of news the
uncleanliness OF which quite overtops the
| news value. The NEWS agrees with
| every one of them and often leaves out
| news matter of the kind referred to.
"That 1t inform the working classes
more clearly as to the effect of Legislative
acts in general on them, their
| country and the world at large
| in one woman's bright suggestion
| THE NEWS has done good deal in this
| line of work-and some OF its readers
among the workingmen have temporarily
| dropped the paper because they don't like
| to be told too much. The majority ap.
| preciate it., though.
One Of the most practical suggestions
| and at the same time one OF the most
| difficult to put in operation is "to teach
the carrier boys 10 keep of the lawns and
not leave open or slam DOORS" THE News
wishes il could do il. It's boys are M
polite and careful as the average, but, after
| all, they are boys and cannot be easily
4 foI n ba ofttl