The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-19

1hNS ~ NANuy ~ tuAb W uIbt HNJH
toward newspaper prosperity was made on tho
eve Of the Victorian age. The Victorian press
means the penny press. That was only possible
after the fourteenth year OF the reign and the
repeal OF the paper duty In 1851. so far ms tho
cheap newspaper is attributable to any one man.
MIR. Escott would connect 1t with tho name OF
the first proprietor OF the Athen1uDt, Charles
Wentworth Dixie. In the twelfth year OF the
Victorian age the Daily Nc1cs, to which tho
short editorship Of Charles Dickens had
given literary distinction rather than com
mercial success, called in Mr.. Dixie, the great
newspaper organizer OF tho day. He at
once reduced tho price, though not yet TO a
penny. 1t was not until 1865. when the propri.
etary was enlarged by tho addition OF the late
Samuel Morley. Mr.. Labouchcrc. and others.
that the Daily Nctrs became a penny paper. lts
success should be nscribed to its foreign corre-
spondencc during tho Franco PrussiNn war OF
1901. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph. start
cd by Col. Sleigh in 1856, had been acquired,
enlarged. and improved by the ancestors OF the
present owners. Its best feature was and is its
Paris correspondence. Tho year 1897 Witnessed
the completion OF a revolution in the p bic
press that had begun n twolvomonth earlier.
Previously, tho great London broadshects
had either boon attached really. II not
profossedly. to one or the other OF the
great political parties. or had, as In the
case OF tho times, mado somo show OF cri.
ticisinR both parties impartially. In 1886 the
Liberal party was rent in twain by the Irish
policy Of its leader. The effect upon the press
was to divest political writer's OF all show Of in
dependence. The journals which accepted Mr..
Gladstones view OF the true relations OF Ire
land to England we're converted into ncom-
promising champions OF a scheme which. ac-
cording to their opponents. would disnember
the monarchy. Those newspapers. on the other
hand. which opposed the great statcsmnn's plan.
found themselves. by the force OF events, de-
tached from their earlier traditions OF indie
pendcnce and converted into the enemies OF
political Liberalism not only on one issue,
but on every issue. Since that time news
paper criticism of men and measures has
practically ceased. with n few exceptions.
and conspicuously that of the Daily Chron-
icie, the principal task Of tho press in
the sixth decade Of the Victorian era has
been to support a combination OF groups rallied
not under a party flag, but under an imperial
banner. About the same time another news.
paper change may be said to have taken place.
Hitherto the anonymous system had been pre-
Sc we'd with a close approach to thoroughness.
The names Of newspaper writers were not
known beyond their office. or. at least, beyond
Fleet sire l.. Now. however, English journalism
underwent two distinct and antagonistic pro-
cesses. On the one hand, it had. by the agency OF
the great newspapers, with their enlarged stats
in various departments. been organized into a
liberal profession, attracting specialists OF all
kinds to It's columns. On the other hand. its
pleasures and profits had gathered n host of
camp followers, who, as amateurs. We'd with
tho older professionals. Eventually, persons Of
fashion or quality sought the proprietorship or
editorship Of news journals. Just as previously
they had undertaken to own and manage
theatres for the benefit OF personal friends.
The former secrecy now became impracticable.
As had long been the case with the monthly Pc
riodicals, tho weekly print first, and the daily
print aftcrward showed a tendency toward
a transformation from an organ Of collective
opinion into a platf rm for individual display.
The new editors chief business was not. as
formerly. to point the gun for the IN rks-
men OF the pen to fire. but to recruit
writer's with well.known names. II their
signatures were ostensibly suppressed. the
authorship was speedily permitted to trans
pire. Fleet street became a whispering
gallery Of fresh gossip. Mr.. Escott is inclined
to think that the condition OF things which has
made so many great English newspapers parti-
san instead Of independent guides must in its
nature be temporary. Whether or no this FORE
cast shall prove well founded. we need not scru-
pie to affirm that In ability. in conscientious use
OF increased power. in education. in social posi-.
ton. in all the best guarantees OF responsibility
within the Victorian age. NJ. W. H.