The National tribune., 1895-03-28
EprToR's CHAT.
some Things Contributors Should Remem-
ber-A stupid Story.

Some Things Contributors Should Remem-
ber-A stupid Story.
There are few things which contributors 10
y,ewsrauers would do well TO remember, If they
would stand well in the editorial ronmi and a
few things they should forever eschew, unless
they would be voted rs bore by editor, COM
positor and proof-reader.
They should remember to send clear, clean
copv. on medium sized sheets. The quality OF
the paper is of no account, so that the hand
writing is open and compact and the ink is good
aud black or a pencil well sha-pened and not
too soft. Copy like this is nearly as good rs the
best typewriting, and very much better than the
average.
They should remember that fine writing by
which is meant a tedious elaboration Of COM
mon-place affairs. description OF ordinary
places and Deople, is not wanted. III there Is a
story 10 be told, tell it in few and simple
words RS possible.
The publication of many an article is insured
beforehand in this way; whereas IL the editor
has to "bol down" in order to use ten to one
it will 90 IN the waste basket, or he tucked into
cubby until something better comes along, and
30 be forgotten altogether, until dumped INTO
fhe paper cart at quarterly clcaning-out.
The study OF the wants and needs of a news
paper the length of its columns aud the cbarac-
ter OF its contents: these give you the editorial
bent and masses of the constii uency you seek TO
y
municaiioHs YOU may prepare.
They should remember-and now we come to
the horrors-not to scrawl all over the paper;
not make an IS" like an "r," and Nv 4" like
~" an IN" like n" and capital " T"
like a capital IT" They should not make
dashes where commas are intended or under
score words 10 indicate emphasis, either with
single line to denote italics, or several lines to
prescribe small caps or great caps.
They should remember that the editor has
no use for preliminary introduction we'll
rounded conclusions extTaneous to the subject
in hand. Begin right off, say what you have
70 say, and when you get through stop. Re-
member. at the same time. that the editor has
no time 10 answer personal letters or read the
autobiography of the writer. though he may
give free instruction TO literary aspirants and
Eympathize with the woes of disappointed am
bition.
They should remember that it is the editor
who runs the newspaper. and is the best Judge
OF what constitutes news. Give ancient his
tory to the cyclOpedias and economic disqnisi-
tions to the scientific reviews. but give the
newspaper editor vigorous accounts. in every
day American English, OF the latest sensation,
local OF National, or the freshest facts from the
busy domain Of common thought and feeling.
A Surgeon met an editor. Said the Surgeon:
You are giving US good paper, but there
Is one thing / don't like about il, and | am
CoDiiiE dOhH cOBO ads w taAh Az WV WIN
you"
"You are good Surgeon" the editor replied,
"but have some ideas / should like TO adj
vance. When you perform your next operation
Just send for me-"
IL is hoped that writers for newspapers viii
be quick TO see the point the Surgeon was,
ard SO very materially decrease the horrors of
the editorial room.
A STUPID STORY.
Report comes from West Bridgewater, Pa.
20 the effect that certain persons claiming 10
belong to the c. C. had spoken disparagingy
Of its name. aims and objects. They are said
10 have spoken by authority, and to have at
tended the Pittsburg Reunion.
In the first place. the letters c. c. stand for
Conversation Club. whose aims are Progress
aud Patriotism. The membe ip is COMPOSED
OF young men and women Of high IDEAS and
correct lives. sprinkling of pure and honest
veterans and their wives, giving added assur.
hBce to the stability OF the organ zEtion.
Again. there are no persOns residing at the
place named who participated ia the Reunion,
or have any right 70 speak for the G. c.
Sister Ola Bell Hotbam. Brother John An
dcrson, and Sister Allie J.. i. Eevill Beaver,
Pa. all Of whose addresses appear to- day. arc
authorized 10 contradict any malicious reports
set afoat by malicious or ignorant persons ia
tie place named, or any other.