Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1895-10-19
CoRREsPoNDENCk.
ErnrxA Oct. Is. 1895.

FprroR SENTINEL: "Political parties
are too apt TO think that ID costs nothing
10 set type and that the paper has to be
filled up anyway and have an idea that q
paper is in duty bound to hammer away
and hammer hard for two or three
months before an election in the interest
of their respective parties and candi-
dates for the lore OF being a Republican,
! Democrat, c6pulist or Silver Party OF
Nevada paper"
The above appears in the Reno Gsz-
zstte Of the 9TH instant.
Will il not be well for gentlemen OF
the press and our citizens generally for
the nonce TO look facts, discreditable and
disagreeable though they may be,
squarely in the face! The Press Associa'
tion of Nevada, just organized, charges,
BY implication at least. that political
parties and candidates for Office fail to
support the newspapers and pay their
printing bills as they should. l have no
doubt that at the present time the charge
is true. Why is il true! The newspa-
pers labor just as earnestly from "yesr
to year" for the success Of their respec
tive parties as they did when they were
better paid. Editors are generally men
Of ability, possessing . wide range OF in
formation. They work necessarily not
only in the interest Of parties and party
candidates but also In the interest OF the
whole people. The public are dependent
mainly upon the newspapers for political
information. A good newspaper is OF
the first importance to every community
and every party and every candidate Of q
party, and 8 good newspaper cannot be
published il it is not generously sup
ported by the party to which ii belongs.
These facts are patent and within the
knowledge Of every intelligent man.
Why is ii then that newspapers do not
receive . generous support from parties
and candidates for Office? The reason
given by the Gazette has . few grains
Of truth in it, no doubt, but II is not the
principal reason. THE pen is mightier
than the sword" is a familiar quotation.
Money is mightier than either or both in
our election contests is not quite as ia
miliar but it is mons the less true. As
money has become potent the influence
and Importance Of the newspaper has de-
clined until at the present time the ig-
norant vulgar but shrewd, bold and un-
s~crupulous political "Boss" pockets thou
sands OF dollars for two or three months
oil 'dirty work." while the intelligent
newspaper man, who spends all Of hi
time in earnest legitimate labor for hi
party and its candidates, has three o.
four hundred dollars g~rudgingly dolet
out to him "to help support his paper"
Why is the "Boss" generously pait
and the newspaper more neglected Be
cause everywhere influence and votes ar
for sale. At every election there ar
more votes for sale than there is none.
to buy. The money is spent to buy infu
ence and votes, the simplest and mos
effective method Of carrying an election
and nothing is left wherewith to pay tn
newspaper man for legitimate services
Corruption ct our elections is not onl
sspping the foundations Of republics
institutions but ii has well nigh de
stroyed the influence Of the press, j
this State ct least. As long as the cor
rupt practice Of buying votes is toler
ated candidates will purchase and leav
not only the printers bills unsettled
but their board bills unpaid.
Gentlemen Of the press, train you
heaviest artillery upon corrupt electio
politics and you will not only render
service you owe the public but also max
10 unnecessary TO form press association
to compel parties and candidates to pa,
their printing bills.
THos. WREN.