The age-herald., 1897-08-04
A Mistaken Preacher.

minister, the Rev pr. J. w Roberts, who has discovered that 'athe modern newspa- per Is a criminal educator"
 T The doctor says that our newspapers cause crime, not through malice, but through their incompetent young report CTS who hunt for sensa tional stories, wi h. out caring whether they are true or not
 If it is unjust, as Edmund Burke said, to indict a whole people, what shall be said of this bill of indictment directed against a whole profession?
 Perhaps there are incompetent young reporters, but there are also incompetent young preachers. Some of the reporters love sensations; so do some preachers. There are incompetent men in all profes- sions, but youth has ceased to be badge of incapacity. In the long list of the worlds greatest men will be found the names of many who achieved distinction when they were mere boys.
 1 The doctors reference to young men is he seriously take the position that the publication of criminal news causes crime? If he is correct in this assump- pulpit to refer to any of the old Scrptura! stories of murder and slaughter. His mention of those crimes may cause smi- gambling and dancing members or his flock will be tempted to indulge in those dissipations because they have heard them discussed. Is this his idea?
 pr. Roberts will protest against such conclusion, but he thinks that it holds good in regard to newspapers. Let us consider the natter a moment. We ad- init that newspapers can spread vice and crime by making it attractive, but we do not know any journals that are en- gaged in that business. AS a rule the newspapers paint every criminal in very black colors, and they demand the strict enforcement of the law How can this tempt men to commit crime?
 1t would be an injustice to the public to keep it in ignorance of the criminal news of the day. People need such informa- tion to enable them to protect their lives. their property and their families. With out it they would fall easy victims to murderers, robbers and swindlers, to say nothing of more dangerous outlaws.
 he would make the world better and more law-ab.dng, he should lose no time in getting in touch with the press, and aid- ing it in its mighty efforts to improve the condition of mauJxind. The press and the pulpit are two great reformers whose hearts should beat as one, and they should join hands and work side by side.
 Review of Senator Korgan's Letter.
 The letter of Senator Morgan to the Age Herald of Sunday has called forth criticisms in Alabama from all sides of the political fence. For years Alabam- ians of all classes and conditions and Of all grades of politics, have learned to respect and revere any expression from Senator Morgan.
 In his plain and lucid way Senator Morgan proceeds to analyze the Ding ley bill. showing the mistakes with which It is fraught and the inevitable effects upon the masses of the people. He begins his letter by showing that there are $23e,O00060 surplus in the treas ury. and there can be no humane mo- tive to increase taxation to support the government. and boldly states, 'It is a falsehood that cannot deceive any hon est-lninded man"
 He compared 1t with the Wilson bill which hc says was rapidly resisting the great extravaganza that had grown as habit with both political par;ies of