The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-21
rGLEFlloSE SuNBIRS
Editorial Rooms Ss3.. Counting Room SEE.
Cir Jntelliac,,ccr
WHEELING. FEBRUARY Ell, 1898.
Journalism aud Conscience.

James Creelman. tho New York
World China.Japan war correspondent,
at a banquet given in his honor Mon
day night stated that Joseph Pulitzer,
tho owner OF the World. told him
once that there was only ono secret OF
successful journalism. 1t could. he
said, be expressed in two little words,
"do right" Mr.. Pulitzer has been a
successful journalist-thatis, financially
speak ing. If the World has not been
successful in higher and nobler degree
than that expressed by boom tao.
tics and dollars and cents, it has per-
haps been due to the fact that its owner
has not applied the .'only secret" to
the conduct OF his journal. However,
lit may be tina. he was only laying down
principle to be followed out by 9th
ers, who may be satisfied to DO less SEN
sa!ional than no is. and earn fewer dol
lars.
But Mr.. Pulitzer does not advance an
original proposition when he announces
this principle as tho secret OF sue.
cess in journalism. 1t 10 as old, il not
older, as the profession itself. and
has been laid down as the secret Of sue
cessin every legitimate undertaking in
all walks OF life. In journalism, how
ever, it must DO admitted, it is aot as
universally practiced as it should be.
One reason for this is that to do RICH.
and to stick to it, tho editor does not
have the encouragement Of the public
he serves. His constituency is made up
OF many different elements, each with
its own standard OF right, and perhaps
all differing from him as to what is
right. With him, to do right ia to act
according to the dictates OF his con-
science. to speak the truth. and to have
The courage OF his convictions. Some
editors by pursuing this course have
died next door to the poor house, sue.
ceasful only in having maintained their
own self-respect and the respect OF good
people who nave appreciated their hon
esty OF purpose; others have been sue
cessiul financially and in every other
way, and all have found some compsn-
aation.
Itis notable fact that newspapers
that cater to the popular taste for SEN
sationalism. and play the dcmagoguo
generally, scoop in the greatest number
of sheckels in the long run. They arc
not, however, successful from the high
standpoint. OF legitimate journalism. no
more than is the preacher true to MS
mission who doos not tell tho truth a.
all times and under all circumstances
about his congregation. The minister
who, as some one has we'll said, goca
about with n whitswash brush and
pleasant words, magniiying little vIr-
lures into big ones. is apt to have larger
congregation and command n greater
salary than the one who breaches what
he conscientiously. believes he is called
to preach. without fear or favor. Just
so with the newspaper. Human nature
Is pretty much the same everywhere.
whether it be found in the church pow
or among n newspaper constituency.
It likes to be ticxlcd, and ii it IL rubbed
the wrong way, woe be to the rubber.
It may be added that, having au in
innate acquaintance with great many
editors, the IYrELLiGEScEg believes that
mos. OF them try to do right" and suc-
coed 10 remarkable degree, despite the
criticism and censnre to which they are
4 i"c,ed.