The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-15
Interior Newspapers .


In a circular letter sent out be Frank
Willing Leach to some OF his friends
IN which he asks for newspaper SUP
port, IN his candidacy for the chair
manship Of the stnte Republican COM
fnittee, Mr.. Leach says:
81 have always had, as rule. the
support Of the interior papers Of the
state, without which no man can sue
ceed in Pennsylvania. -
Mr.. Leach is not without faults but
he Is regarded as level-headed politi-
cal manipulation and manager. He
certainly exhibits good Judgment in
this declaration. Most Of the state
politicians imagine that if they receive
an occasional complimentary notice i'm
and apparent support from a newspa-
per in Philadelphia or Pittsburg that
they are on the straight road to the
hearts Of the people and, through them,
to success. But while the newspapers
Of these two cities may largely supply
the news TO many Of the communities
Of the state they do not lead or Mater
ally make up public opinion outside OF
their immediate localities. The
county newspapers rarely get their in
spiratiOn from either Of these citi, ).
The rural leaders, in turn, look for
guidance not from distant points but
from nearer home.
The ''interior newspapers" are nst
manipulated by great corporatiOns,
they are not controlled by the ex-
actions Of the dispensers OF nIunieiIal
patronage, not moved by forces con-
cealed from or unfamiliar to their read
ers. Naturally a newspaper at the
state capital speaks with somewhat
more authority and, therefore, with
more force than those in minor cities
and towns and is by that much regard
ed as "A clearer adviser and more influ-
ential advocate and its opinions and
utterances carry greater weight; but
each county paper, according to its
ability, helps to crystalline and mould
public sentiment. The newspaper at
the capital, guided by honest purposes
and speaking from conviction, is given
respectful consideration at all times
and may often easily lead public sem
timent in its direction, for the editors
of more distinetively local papers, re-
eognizing its unequaled point o. var
tage, are ready to welcome its suggest
ions and TO accept IT'S conclusions. But
it Is one of the 'interiOr newspapers"
to which Mr.. Leach refers and the edi-
tors Of the local papers are the wise
and industrious gardeners watering
the seed it has planted.
No great change in public sentiment
throughout the state has ever been
wrought by the newspapers Of Pitts
burg or Philadelphia. These journals
have never led in any great political
revolt nor have they been able 10 check
one when started. They gather and
purvey news with accuracy and much
enterprise. They carry the occurrences
of the period from eye to eye. But they
make few permanent mental imprcs-
sions aud their field il constantly
changing.
One of the most prominent journal
lists in New York, who is thoroughly
familiar with Pennsylvania politics,
said after tho convention last Auoplsf-
''I knew the combine was whipped
when | saw The Patriot one morning
announce that the tide had changed
and that Quay would win, because
knew of the confidence put in its judg-
ment and the effect that announce
of the fact itself-would
have upon every newspaper in Central
The editor Of large ex-
perience was simply saying in different
words, what Mr.. Leach has said, that
the following Of the interior papers Is
permanent, continuous, trustfui and
that the influence these newspapers ex-
ert Is powerful or futile just in accord
ance with the desire and ability Of
their managers.
The interior papers Of the state
form the greatest single political power
in the commonwealth and that pOliti-
elan has learned priceless lesson who,
like Mr.. Leach, recognizes the fact
Patriot.