The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1895-02-22
FREE ADVERTISING BY OUR STATE
PRESS.

The following able aud timely edi-
torial from the Raymond Gazette, one
of the oldest and best papers in the
State voices our sentiments on the
subject Of free advertising:
The Mississippi press Is assuming It's true
functions. Ii has been ridden by politicians
until ii has the sore back. But there Is a long
lane that has no turn. The press turned this
lane at Greenwood. There the editors OF the
state registered purpose not TO longer he
hewcrs OF wood and drawers of water for
Office seekers, many of whom, once ensconced
in official place. not only forget the ladder
that bore them up. but speak derisivcly, II
not contemptuously. OF the little newspa-
pers."
1t was agreed at Greenwood that candi-
dates should be made TO pay their bills like
all other advertisers. II was Also agreed
that office holders who had the giving out of
printing should not be supported by the pres ;
should they again become candidates, If
they sent their work out OF the State. OF
course the paying of bills means by "Admi.
rer." calls to stand for office by Beat Four"
MANY Citizens" and the like. together with
the announcement fees. 1t has no reference
TO editorial support. That is something not
to be bought or sold. Ii Is sacred. The edt-
torial pen is for the public veal, and should
never write paid matter" When 1t does
disgraced.
To be more specific. There are men who
aspire TO Office, county and state, and Fed
eral, thoroughly honest, and thoroughly de-
scrvng-men who would grace official sta
tion; there are also men who aspire to office,
county, State and Federal, thoroughly in
capable, thoroughly dishonest. and thorough
ly underserving-men who would disgrace
official station.
The honest editorial pen-and so far AS the
l.uy In a. ipk n ha is
employed on any reputable Mississippi pa
Der-wil praise the former, and not only
disprase, hut if needs be scarify the lat
ter without money and without price, and
mands that this should be done in no uncer-
tain voice. Conservatism in such case i,
nearly akin to cowardice. And ..itorial
cowardice is thing too base to be thought
Of when one stands guard for the honor of
his mother Mississippi.
The unsophisticatcd public, the honest
masses, the people who earn bread by the
sweat Of their face. as the candidate on hi,
good behavior fits hither and thither is Ii
able to be deceived 1t Is not given time tC
separate the wheat from the cbaH. the frothy
from the unfrothy. the worthy from the un-
worthy. Ii should be this crisis-when Dem
ocracy Is to be confronted with fierce opposi-
ton at every turn-the mission. aye, the du
ty of the press to aid the individual Dem
ocrat in reaching proper choice for stan
dard bearers.
The Gazette hears of a habit among GER
tain class of politicians when tlSy see som,
complimentary editorial reference to "a rival
candidate, of saying Il wonder what h,
paid for that" Such men may be honest
but the Gazette always suspects the integri
ty. personal and political, of men eager /,
dscredit their adversaries and swift to im
pute dishonesty to their betters Let tn,
campaign for the nominations proceed lie
it proceed decently and in order. But le
| the iObber and the shark, of whatever char
acter, be pilloried. Reward the deserving
in short. nominate men who will honor th'
party, men who have honored with thei
time, their talents and their money. whil
others skulked or remained doubtful, ani
march forward to victory in November.