New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-06
ABOUT SENSATIONAL READING.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT SKINNER SAYS IT
MAKES THE MIND WEAK AND
AVFRSE TO WORK.


Charles r Skinner. State Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction. says of the evil which the young
derive from sensational reading:
Sensational reading. even when not impure nor
unchaste. Is hurtfui. because 1t makes the MIND
weak Incapable OF continued effort. averse 10 real
work II suggests scenes and incidents out OF the
ordinary experience Of life and fills readers with
unreal impra cticable impossible plans and prof.
ects and units them for the plain. practical
duties OF to-day The mind grows by what 1t feeds
upon. II fed by sensational hooks IL can never
gain the heights of excellence. for 1t has not the
strength and endurance needed TO reach them
Nor is 1t too much say that the mora! education
of the young is sadly marreG by sensational read
ing
"First-Tt weale-s their mental vgor 1t loads
the mind with foul images and corrupt thoughts
which not only dche, but reduce the intellectual
powers The pupil whose imagination has become
polluted through impure reading finds these UNI
clean images constantly appearing. Vigorous and
continued mental action becomes distasteful. The
aimess look the careless position. the stless man.
ner show that real study is not performed The en-
tire mental machinery becomes enfeebled and use
less for good work Pupils fail to give attention in
rotations the memory becomes impaired, pre-
occuried air shows that lessons and studies. reel
tations and examinations are OF no value.
''Second-Evll reading blackens the moral nature
What IS needed In this city In our State, In the
whole country. is an aroused puhiic sentiment
selling vile literature Fathers ana mothers ana
guardians everywhere ought to know the awful
danger to which the children are exposed We need
n have the whole business branded as monstrous
and Internal
IAN encouraging feature In this fight for purity
In the home and the suppression OF sensational
and evil reading is the attitude OF the Nationa
Editorial Association The following resolution
adcptcd by that body at It's eleventh annual con-
yention in ST Augustine Fla. January q to "a
1896 concisely forth the position OF that 1850
ciationa
Resolved That the National Editorial Association
OF the United earnestly sympathizes with the
literature and art tending 10 maintain the moral
standard and endeavoring TO realize tne prime 90
feet of the press. the elevation ana betterment or
humanity intellectually, morally ana socially, Tor
the suppression OF scnsa tonalism. cruel personai
ties and immoral details OF the reports OF vice and
crime which tend only degrade the moral stand
ard OF the community. often melting to the re-
enactment Of the horrors thus acplceu, ana tr we
truest and best friends OF humanity by refusing
space to all questionable ana impure adver,lsins
untruths and the half-truths which often are more
dangerous and often have more poison than un-
masked vice. because or the pure ailoy wnich pro-
notes their circulation.
This association does not include all the news
MINER. OF the country but representative num-
her Its programme In favor OF morality and purity
will tend largely to suppress In the United States
pernicious advertising and questionable articles and
news 1t will also help greatly In securing sound.
wholesome moral reading for the homes where the
papers represented have an entrance. These news
papers will arouse the conscience, quicken the
high minded citizens in favor OF morality and
purity. They Will make virtue honorable In the
as vile and degrading and make those practising It
odious In the public sight
stcp forward. There are battles yet to nsht for