The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-02-12
INTEGRITY or REPORTERS.
Philadelphia Times

Philadelphia Times:
Avery common error is prevalent that the
work Of reporters, given in newspapers, as a
rule, is not entitled 70 respect or eredenoe.
1t is generally assumed that the reporter
writes chiefly or wholly to make a sensation,
OF in some way interest readers without re
gard to facts, while just the reverse is the
truth in all reputable newspaper establish
ments.
It's safe to assume that the statements Of
reporters given in the leading reputable jour
mails Of the country are quite as truthful IS
are the general statements from the pulpit
when the minister gets outside OF strictly re
ngious teachings. and very much more truth.
ful than are the public expressions OF most II
not all the leading professions With very
few receptions the management OF our lead.
ing daily papers enforce truthfalness and
fairness IS the supreme requisites for news
paper writer, and yet it is common for all
who are displeassd with any rsportorivl
statement to say that tits mere newspaper
story"
Its true that there are few conspicuous
exceptions to the rule that governs the rep /
uiable newspapers OF the country. Two
newspapers in New York have brought more
discredit upon. the journalistic profession
during the last year than all other causes
combined. They have done it by catering
solely to the most prurient tastes OF the pub
lie aud 10 the most vicious Iensationalis,n. /
They are not respected by the public and
should not be. but they do not represent the
progressive Journalism OF the country. aud /
they have teen more severely criticised by
the Public press generally than by any other
class,
Not only are the managers Of our leading
newspapers entitled TO great credit for the
scrupulous care they enforce on their re-
porters and correspondents TO present the
truth with as exact fairness as is possible. !
but the public little know the csaseless care
exercised in every reputable newspaper Office
10 prevent the publication Of even the truth
when II would be more harmful TO publish
than to suppress IT, There is not a week. in.
deed hardly a day, that the newspapers Of
this city do not suppress facts proper for pub.
lie information which would make a most
interesting stsry, solely because it would
bring flood OF sorrow TO the Innocent and
helpless and cast an imperishable shadow
upon their lives. With all the errors nece,-
sarily committed in newspaper Office bv
reason Of the haste with which articles must
often be prepared, the public little know with
what thorough integrity the newspapers. as a
rule, protect the innocent even at the cost OIL
suppresslng legitimate and interesting infor-
nation The skeletons OF hundreds OIL
households are carefully guarded in the
newspaper ofiicss OF the country, and gener.
ally without even the knowledge OF the peo-
Pile who are thus protected.
The Press Of this city few days ago gave !
| pointed illustration Of the general in egrlty
If the reportorial service rendered TO our +
newspapers. Rev. Clarence II. Woolston.
,astor OF the Eastern Baptist church. is one
II very many ministers whose zeal often ont.
uns their discretion when enlisted in hu
nanitarlan or moral struggles. He gave an
Interview to reporter Of The Press on tho
var now in progress TO improve the social
urity Of the community He doubtless
poke to the reporter just as he felt, and as he
elieved, and he spoke with the earnestness
nd enthusiasm which led him into the com.
non error Of exaggeration. When he saw
is statements in cold type he was appalled,;
e could not believe that he had been cor.
'ctly reported, and he unfortunately SO de.
AIRED; but when confronted by the reporter
ith his shorthand notes read back 10 the
iinister, be was compelled to confess his
ror and acted manfully in doing so.
II Rev, Mr. woolston stood alsne among 8
'e ministers in this regard he might be B