The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-29
HOUSTON, TUESDAY. DECEMBER .
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.

iourna,1s; IS NJ; merely an organ
grinder. The Old plan % entertaining and
Ynovng The puhli, w.th the morctonol%
muse Of the cafnpsasa ~ 50 inuch ie',
tune has he%s1 abandoned tins country
save hy parry psDp-i hsra ana theis
The Arneracau press has Crown in power
independence and character gniA TO man
and no or-AgizstD9 q men are exc mo-
from far criticism and Jus, coldsir,- l.
lion. the growing 'rGcreU4= rcc @.
the press is a uiossi encosraS,nE evidence
OF iupr1y enisni ans progress E@f.t''-e.
sf.e- al. the press is tha great etI-4for
Of ciot-rn times. and The rtHpenlenco
ard coUra r. Of The teach WI certn uly
show ihensel,-ss IA She pupil s. aus tine -
Cs.ivesfrn News
Our Galveston contemporary has been
induiging in what it ia pleased TO regard
as Independent Journalism" recently. and
Il IS streauously endeavor!ns Just now 10
commend that style q journalism to pub
lie favor. is definitions and de.ezses Of
the article in question, in the light Of re-
cent Developments must be taken nat
uraily as somewhat Of the character o,
apologies or explanations 10 the public aud
as designed to remove decidedly unfavor-
able popular Impressions created by ,Ae
News course.
1t is 4 shrewd plea to extol independent
journalism and then insist that the News
is that kind OF paper.
The fact happens to be that the News Is
the very reverse of an Independent paper, Ia
the higher sense In which {; would be
Judged. The public has respect for paper
like the Boston Herald or the Washington
Post-independent papers in the true sense.
papers that never even In opposition de-
scend to abuse and misrepresentation an
that always see good to II certain extent IA
both parties and both sides Of d question.
An organ of party may be 70 more vo-
lent and unfair than so-calcd iudepend-
emit paper which has simply become par
tisan in oppositon-a paper that denounces
those who do not stand with It as rascally
gangs" and rings" "anarch!ats." cor
rup,ionists" and isnoramuras. and that
characterizos papers differing from it as
puppets and lick -spittles. devoid Of truth
and honor and actuated by purely com
morcial' considerations. Such paper is
not high minded, Independent. honest
ana temperate educator OF the people-lt ia
mere guerilla in Journalism. a partisan
free lance. showing no respect for others
opinions and admitting no others honesty.
and. therefore. not entitled 10 others re-
speoi and Justly subieo, to popular sus-
picicn Of its own integrity
The Post leaves It to the people of Texas
who know the Galveston News as to which
category the News belongs. Is It fair,
honest. Just and broadmindcd indeperd
ont paper giving to the party !, opposes
the credit OF as much honesty Of convlc.
tion and Integrity of purpose az 1t claims
for itself and admitting the good points
and records OF it's opponents. or is II mar
row. bitter. prejudieed, blind 10 good rec
ords. denunoiatory rather than argumenia-
tive untruthful IN its statement or facts or
OF others opinions and purposes? Is II
calm and judicial In It's treatment OF i,s
opponents case, or is 1t low and vicious
and partisan and vituperatlye? Is il an
Independent, impartial paper, or is It an
anti-demooratlc troe-lance, a common tour.
nalistic brigand with It's hand ALWAYS
against the State government in Texas,
Again the News says:
While the noise 0. tho organ grinder Ia
sun heard In the land 81 y but fafr ~ ..,,
Ihat the people, taken as whole, are he |
3ournaiIsnp' upp'ss9-a's d fssiiy III gher |
newspaper man contends Tor good goy..r-' !
msni for himself and FOR ali men 10 |
holds the things that make most s,,rf.i,,
Tor the combined cause OF ir4,n and 49, |
Ing public welfare and OF Nationai hole@ |
and Naaonal righteousness above all nther |
considerations. ~' ''"'r
True. the people appreciate the higher |
Journalism. but they look in vain for IL |
IN the mere guerilla press az distinguished |
from the independent. non partisan press.
A partisan is not necessarily consistent !
party man. The News is drawing upon
Its vanity to suppose that II can deceive |
the people Of Texas into believing that IL |
is great Independent paper rather than |
a vicious partisan against democracy In |
Texas.
But the News ia In error again Ia as |
Stunning that party paper is deyoId OF in
dependent thought or utillty--that Is an
other evidence OF the News narrow preju-
dice rather than It's Independent. judicial
fairness. Tho party paper is a necessity as
long as parties are a necessity. or exist.
The party paper is an educator and force
within the party. and by standing for right