The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-04
W0MAN'S INFLUENCE IN MOD
ERIN JOURNALISTIC
BY MARY G. BILLINGS.

To thoughtfully observant people,
who take an all-around view of our
American Press, it will be apparent
that the influence of woman in Jour
nalism, during the last decade has
been something more than slight and
ephemeral.
Candid minds will acknowledge it
as factor for good; not only in fur
nishing additional interest to the
columns of daily and weekly journals,
but that it has been and continues
to be silent yet potent force, work
ing in various directions for higher
and purer standard of excellence in
the press of today.
This is apparent in the new depart
ments that have gradually been in
troduced into favor and now are
prominent features in our most wide-
ly circulated newspapers.
"The Children's Page" with it's
varied and attractive columns of
wholesome matter, we'll illustrated,
is long step in evidence of the past
making us who are passed into mid
die life, wish, for the nonce, that the
wheels of time might roll backward,
and permit the fresh childhood's en-
joyment of many good things now
furnished for the little ones of to-
day.
THE Humane Department" in
GLIDING pledges for Little Defend
ers" of dumb animals is not only an
admirable departure from the old,
but one of the truest and best educa-
tors for children, which will con-
tinue for them and be good influence
through subsequent life.
In the 'Realm of Fiction" we find
woman doing creditable and accept
able work in the journals of today.
Original contributions of female
writer's in popular newspapers are
not only of fair literary merit, but
usually of an elevated moral tone;
many of them being worthy competi-
tors of the best efforts in this line, of
the other sex who WELD the pen as a
profession.
In Literary Chat" Familiar Cor
respoudence," and descriptive Arti-
cles' we find in woman finer touch,
more natural grace, and piquancy
of expression, than is usual with the
average male contributor of modern
journals. In these lines of literary
work woman is valuable accession,
both of secular and religious journals.
AS reporters in certain lines of
effort, connected with the newspaper
world in large cities, women perform
excellent service. We believe they
are apt to be quite as thorough as
their brothers, in exploring their re-
spective fields of operation and fully
as conscientious in making veracious
returns. More than this, they have
a faculty of getting at the heart of
things; of recognizing the pathos,
and the humor of common human
ity;-a realization that "a touch of
nature" does truly make us all kim"
Thus female reporters have added
interest to the daily paper and in
many instances have been the means
of instituting reforms in sanitary and
humane directions of helpful signi-
ficance.
We have women editors of more
than average merit, who perform the
functions of their position we'll. Yet,
journals exclusively edited and man
aged by women, are seldom of great
value, unless indeed, we except such
publications as The Union Signal,
The Silver Cross, and few other
organs of specific work.
Virility as we'll as sweetness is de-
sirable in public journal. Strong
lines, as we'll as delicate touches;
keen analysis and solid common sense
in dealing with the problems of the
day as we'll as those finer perceptions
of the fitness of things, and that play
of fancy, the natural characteristics
of the female writer.
As in other spheres of mental ac-
tivity we believe the masculine ele-
ment is needed to supplement the
feminine, and vice versa of the femi-
nine to insure the best results in the
realm of journalism today.
1t is true, some among our own sex
have proven good business managers,
and achieved success in publishing
weekly newspapers; but they have
the tact to recognize and ability to
secure masculine help-as well as the
candor to profit by practical advice
from the men in their employ.
1t should be personal satisfaction
to intelligent women of America, that
our sex has gradually won an honor
able place in the realm of journalism;