The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-06
THE PRESS AND THE PEOPLE.

AS it is conceded that the growing good of
every American community is largely de-
pendent upon the influence exerted by the
press, it is matter of public concern to
consider what that influence is and to what
degree its force is felt in the affairs of the
community. Such a consideration is espe-
cially important to the people of San Fran
cisco at this time. Many enterprises and
undertakings are now claiming the atten-
ton of the people. 1t is impossible that
each individual should examine all of them
for himself and determine how far they are
deserving of his support. Most people,
therefore, must rely upon the press for in
formation and right conclusions in order
to know how to act; and unless they have
confidence in what is said in the news
papers, it is evident there can be no har-
mony, no unity of action in the COM
mInity, even in those enterprises which
are most important to its welfare.
Have the people of San Francisco conf
dence in the press of San Francisco? If
we may judge by recent events, they have
not. In the election last fall, for example.
the so-called power of the press resulted in
a complete fiasco. The vote of the city, if
it were affected by the press at all, was
affected by the rule of contraries. What
the press advised was left undone, and
what the press opposed was done. No
daily paper in the city supported Mayor
Sutro, and yet he was elected by ma ority
OF such magnitude that it may be fairly
called stupendous. 1t was literally over
whelming and was evidently rolled up by
force of public sentiment against which
the press was as impotent as an air balloon
in Kansas blizzard.
The huge majority for Sutro was not the
only illustration of the impotence of the
city journals afforded by the election. In
fact, in no single instance did it appear
that candidate was injured by the oppo-
sition of the press or aided by its advocacy
This feature of the result of the campaign
was SO marked that it was widely COM
mented on at the time, and it is still fair
subject for discussion. Indeed it will al
ways remain so until the true explanation
is made known, for when the newspapers
of city that reach nearly every voter
every day during long canvass fail to
make any impression by the facts they
state or the arguments they urge, it is GER
tainly time to consider what is the matter
with the press and how it has come to be
so out of touch with the people that it has
no longer any power either to warn or to
direct.
1t is evident that no newspaper can have
power or influence unless it appeals to the
abiding sympathies of mankind for what is
good and right; and that if it does appeal
to these sympathies it will always have
power. Men are attracted by gaudy nov
elites, but they are not held by them The
fakir can draw crowd together, but he
cannot animate it with common senti-
ment. Newspapers that seek only to give
a new sensation every day, and pay little
or no attention to the permanent interests
Of men will never be regarded as of serious
Importance. On the other hand, the paper
that seeks out the enduring principles of
action, the established industries and we'll
founded interests of men, and gives them
the prominence in the affairs OF the day
which they deserve, is certain to achieve
the confidence and win the sympathy of
intelligent men, and with that will come
power.
1t is the ambition of the CALL to be an
influential journal, to have weight and
influence in the community, to be relied
upon as well as to be talked about. To
achieve this, it does not seek to be leader
SO much as supporter of leaders. When
ever new industry is started, new enter
prise launched, a new civic movement
begun, or any other undertaking brought
forward that tends to the welfare of the
city, the State, the Nation or the people,
the CALL will support it cordially, not for
advertising pay but for the broad favor of
an enlightened people.