Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-11-12
THE PRESS.

The populist papers ofthis state may
we'll be designated as the Snarling
Press.
Every week the editor of the Argus
Leader reads carefully the editorial
pages of the newspapers issued i'll
South Dakota. One great distinguish
ing characteristic between the populist
and republican press constantly APP
pears.
The latter hit hard generally. They
are partisan, and they strike telling
blows at their political opponents. But
there is an Independence which is
cheering. While they strongly advo-
cate their party principles, and Loyalty
support their leaders, they promptly
condemn republicans who neglect or
violate their duty they criticize dis
criminatingly. But above all they
| stand for the state. They hunt out all
signs of it's advancement. They invest
igate it's resources. and advertisethem.
They note with easureimprosements,
enterprise, the development of new in
dustries. the arrival of new settlers.
They are cheerful, and their writing is
optimistic. They believe in the future
of the country. of the state, and of their
own communities.
On the other hand the popuiist press
is full Of snccrs. Only at long inter
va,s, and apparently 10y accident. do
the print items or comments which
cheer tie heart. make men more hope
fui. more energetic. more ready to
t o their energy and strength into
enterprise and general Advancement.
They do little but criticize. They tear
down without building up, they seek to
destroy but not to build. They snarl
at every mar who is progressive. and is
pushing for the upbuilding of the COM
munity, They sheer at evidences of
prosperity. They refuse to print items
showing that men and communities are
improving financially. and they slui
such items when appearing in republi-
can papers. They make no effort to
spur theircommunities toincrease pub.
lie exertion, and they cast ridicule OH
those who do so. They savagly attack
all public men who do not agree with
/. their political theories. Theyquestion
! their motives. They seek to throw /;
chill Oh enthusiasts u.
r They are snarlers. Even when no.
talking politics they snarl. There is M
hope in their pages. no brightness, III
encouragement for those hard pressed
!. Tney do not advocate their own part.
success because it would make the PEG
pie happier. or better, or more prosper
Gus. but because it would beat thei
opponents. And for fear that SOM
sign of betterment might interior
with that success. they decry all effort
of those who seek toadvertise the stat
" and spread the news of its progress
and growing prosperity.
!, They constitute the snaIling pres:
They are the dogs inthe manager stant
- lag between the people of South Da
kota and a bright future. There al
:: a few bright exceptions, but the gret
majority fill their columns with snar
and sneers. They are the shiftles
standing on the corner and trying I
"a discourage the Industrious into bias
lie ing activity.
!. man who fairly argues is worth
t. of all respect. but a snarler is a publ
le enemy. \. sheer never encourages, b,
of always breaks down. The snarlir
is press of South Dakota is a detrimel
to to the state. not because it advocate
r. free silver or socialism. but because
.uarlS.-Argus Leader.