Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-01-10
Independent Journalism.

country. With their tentacles extend
ing to all the avenues of trade and
commerce, of social and political life,
and with a greed for power only
equaled by their avarice aud cunning,
is it strange that these two influences
have succeeded in dominating not on
ly the great daily papers, but debating
the course of legislation in all things
effecting their interests? One of the
most menacing signs of the times is
that to which the REGISTER refers
the suborning of the press. which was
wont to give warning of every en-
croachment upon the rights and well
fare of the people. and thus place them
in an attitude of defense against SUBJ
tie dangers. Uuder the control of
these powerful influences, the great
newspapers of the country insinuate
themselves into the confidence of the
people by party names, make great
show of adherence to fundamental
principals, even pretense of oppos-
ing the very policies of the influence
that owns and controls them, by oc-
casional specious editorials and sophis-
try, as misleading as they are insin-
cere. This, to retain confidence Sc
cured by stealth, while the great mon
ey and tribute levying powers read
between the lines and smile in their
sleeves. These are anaesthetics ad-
ministered to their gullible readers
that they may be the more easily de-
spoiled. And how readily the people
inhale the Supplying poison!
The REGISTER, earnest. courageous
and hopeful, sees a rift in the dark
cloud of crushing power moving so
steadily down upon the people. 1t is
the local editor, closes to and nearer
in touch with the rural masses, who
will be forced to the front by the peo-
pie who take his paper to do battle for
them. But are there not limits here?
The REGISTER names a few of them,
which may be overcome by logged
determination coupled with grinding
manual and intellectual labor of the
honest, conscientious publisher, if his
efforts are but half way appreciated.
With such obstacles only to contend
against. the independent, fearless and
unbribable country editor might meet
with barred breast and stout heart the
impending storm. But these are not
all, nor his worst foes. Let the REG
IsTER, which is capable of judging,
cast its intellectual eye over this favor
ed section only of our grand old COM
monwealth, and name to itself the pa
pers that show evidence of genuine
independence and fearless adherence
to principle, those which have not be-
hind them some local ring of politi al
bosses, who 10 turn are but the
suborned emissaries of this or that cor
poration, with their satellites in every
precinct.
The magnitude of the plant and the
capital required for a great metropo-
Titan daily. necessitating the forming
of a corporation and issuing of stock,
through which the money power and
rich corporations get control of the pa
per, is reversed where the country pa
per is concerned. The cost of setting
up a cheap country Office is SO small,
that where the local party bosses and
corporation emissaries find conscien-
tious and independent paper which
will not stoop to and help to cover up
their jugglery, it becomes the target
of their displeasure. and they start
one that is Immediately under their
control. This makes it harder for leg
itimate country journalism to exist.
Business is divided. many business
men and subscribers, not understand
ing the meaning of the new venture,
help to support ie, while others do the
same thing for fear of mourning the
displeasure of the spoilsmcn behind it.
The legitimate journal and friend of
the people may survive-it generally
does-but it is with crippled resources,
Encouragement and straining to
make ends meet. So much time has
to be given to the problem of existing,
and so much work in the mechanical
department of the paper is thrown
upon the editor. that he can't devote
the time and study to those public
questions affecting the general inter-
ests of the people to make as strong a
fight for them as he otherwise would.
The subject might be continued fur
Their, but we have already drawn this
article out longer than we intended.
-Farmingto,s Times.
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