The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-01-30
What a Newspaper r1ay Do.

'" nat Newspaper nay Do'
Correspondence Manufacturers Record.
| have yet to discover a weekly
newspaper published in town of from
$1,000 to 10000 people which any
where nearly takes advantage OF its
opportunities. This is matter in
which the people should be interested
as much as in their public buildings or
parks. A good newspaper is better
advertisement of town than any
other institution in it. Though this
will be generally admitted, citizens are
not always sufficiently alive to the pos
sibilities of a good newspaper as a
mirror of local live that they are will
ing to establish or encourage one for
the good of the community. This is
especially true 10 view of the fact that
the editor whose character fits him to
take the exalted place of a public
teacher, and whose ability as a practi-
cal newspaper maker enables him TO
produce paper that is credit TO the
best interests of the town, is not so
much in evidence as to become a ia
milar object.
would like to give you my idea as 10
what weeklyn may do for
small city. In the first place, the in
dustries of the place could be described
and illustrated from time, time to not
the regulation "write-up" style, but in
a manner to make the articles interest
ing and instructive to the whole popu-
lation. A single descriptive article Of
this kind need not comprehend whole
industry, but single phase or depart
ment might be taken up at time, the
preparation of materials and DISPOSE
tiou of products, as well as processes
of manufacture, affording matter for
most interesting 'stories.''
The industrial, political and social
history of a town of 10000 people af-
fords materials Tor many attractive ar
ticles.
The juvenile life of small city is
entirely neglected by newspapers. SO
far as 1 have observed. A weekly
paper might be made teacher to half
the boys and girls in the town. Their
amusements and their school life are
very important to them as we'll as to
their parents, and these two classes are
the most important elements of the
population.
Then there are the women! If there
are no women's clubs, the paper should
make it its business to encourage their
formation. Their proceedings might
be made into good reading for the
women particularly and to consider
able extent for their husbands and
sweethearts as we'll.
In every town of the size write
about there are concerts of consider
able artistic merit, but l venture to say
that not pei cent. of the people who
read the programme Of an affair of this
kind know anything concerning the
life and character Of the masters who
wrote the music that is rendered. And
yet 1 think it is the business Of the
ideal weekly newspaper to give this
information and thus add to the educa-
tional value of the concert.
The churches do not figure as largely
i'll the ordinary newspaper as the prom
inence Of their activities in the lives Of
the people demands. l would not have
my ideal country weekly religious
paper by any means, but would have
the religious life of the place consider
ed in respectful manner, and fully,
and i'll such way as to be attractive
reading even by non churchgoers.
The town government always fur
nishes material for the spiciest kind of
articles and paragraphs. But this
work, if done rightly, must be done by
one who has an exalted idea Of the
true mission of a newspaper. An ed
ucated man of sterling character, good
sense and real newspaper ability can
almost insure purity in municipal gov
eminent. The need ofpublic improve
ments he can point out, as we'll as in
judicious expenditure for those already
under way. Such an editor must be
the peer Of any politician in the place,
SO far as the possession Of information
concerning the city and county gov
ernments is concerned, and the usages
and expenditures under similar circum-
if it does its duty, knits the people
together by showing them what they
in common have to be proud Of
No community is so dull that life in
it may not be made enjoyable, and
none is so pleasant that Improvement
is impossible. The local paper may
secure a weekly half-holiday and show
the young people how best to use it;
indicate the best employment of the
winter evenings; point out the best
reading and promote reading circles;
specify how the public parks may be
used and beautified; encourage the peo-
pie to care for their own poor until the
former can make it possible for the
latter to care for themselves; educate
the public sentiment to an intolerance
Of awbreaking and the desirability of
the people informing themselves as to
the provisions Of the laws proposed to
be passed.
In short, the weekly newspaper, in
the hands of the right man, may be
power for good in every direction in
the small city.
G.. w. WILCOX.
(hicnpO Decamhor Of 1909