Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-23
md consequently hard to it.

AASAANJ
as he went by the door of the delivery
room and looked in.
''What's the matter here. George? r.
he asked the clerk as he noted the nm
usual confusion.
'"The boys say they can't sell any
copies of The News tonight because the
prizefght is not in it, =" replied George,
looking curiously at the editor, as so
many of the employees had done during
the day.
Mr. Norman hesitated moment,
then walked into the room and con-
frented the boys.
"How many papers are there here,
boys? Count them out, and I'll buy
them tonight -
There was wild stare and a wild
counting of papers on the part of the
boys.
''Give them their money, George,
and if any of the other boys come in
with the same complaint buy their un-
sold copies. Is that fair?' he asked the
boys, who were smitten into unusual
silence by the unheard Of action on the
part Of the editor.
"Fairl Well, I should But will
you keep dis up? Will dis be a con.
tinual performance for de benefit Of de
fraternity?''
Mr.. Norman smiled slightly, but he
did not think it was necessary to an
swer the question. He walked out Of
the Office and went home. On the way
he could not avoid that constant query,
"Would Jesus have done it," 1t was
not so much with reference to this last
transaction as to the entire motive that
had urged him on since he had made
the promise. The newsbcys were neces-
sarily sufferers through the action he
had taken. Why should they lose money
by it? They were not to blame. He was
a rich man and could afford to put a
little brightness into their lives If he
chose to do it. He believed as he went
on his way home that Jesus would have
done either what he did or something
similar in order to be free from any
possible feeling Of injustice. He was
not deciding these questions for any
one else, but for his own conduct He
was not in a position to dogmatize, and
he felt that he could answer only with
his own Judgment and conscience as to
his Interpretation Of Jesus probable
action. The falling off in sales of the
paper he had in certain measure fore
seen, but he was yet to realize the full
extent Of the loss to the paper if such a
policy should be continued.
During the week he was in receipt OF
numerous letters commenting on the
absence from The News of the account
Of the prizefght. Two or three Of these
letters may be Of interest.
Editor of The News:
Dear Sr-I have been deciding for some time to
change my paper. want journal that is up to
the times, progressive and enterprsing, supply
ing the public demand at all points. The recent
freak of your paper in refusing to print the &C.
count of the famous contest at the Resort has
decided me finally to change my paper. Please
discontinue it. Very truly yours, - -.
Here followed the name of a business
man who had been a subscriber for
many years.
Edward Norman, Editor Of The Daily News, Ray
mond:
Dear Ed-What is this sensation you have given
the people OF your burg? Hope you don't intend
to try the ''reform business through the avenue
OF the press It's dangerous to experiment much
along that line. Take my, advice and stick to
the enterprising modern methods you have made
50 successful for The News. The public wants
prizefghts and such. Give it what it wants and
let some one else do the reforming business.
Yours,
Here followed the name of one of
Norman's old friends the editor of a
daily in an adjoining town.
My Dear Mr.. Norman-1 hasten to write you a
note Of appreciation for the evident carrying out
of your promise. 1t is splendid beginning, and
no one feels the value of 1t better than do. I
know something OF what it will cost you, but not
all. Your pastor, HENRY MAXWELL.
One letter which he opened immedi
ately after reading this from Maxwell
revealed to him something of the loss to
his business that possibly awaited him.
MIR. Edward Norman Editor Of The Daily News:
Dear Sir-At the expiration OF my advertising
limit YOU will do me the favor not to continue as
you have done heretofore. l inclose check for
payment in full and shall consider my account
with your paper closed after date. Very truly
yours.
Here followed the name Of one of the
largest dealers in tobacco in the city.
He had been in the habit of inserting a
column Of conspicuous advertising and
paying for it very large price.
Edward Norman laid this letter down
very thoughtfully, and then after MO-
ment he took up copy Of his paper
and looked through the advertising COL
umns. There was no connection i'm
piled in the tobacco merchants letter
between the omission of the prizefght
and the withdrawal of the ADVERTISE
ment, but he could not avoid putting
the two together In point of fact, he
afterward learned that the tobacco deal
er withdrew his advertisement because
he had heard that the editor of The
News was about to enter upon some
queer reform policy that would be Ger
tain to reduce it's subscription list.
But the letter directed Norman's at
tention to the advertising phase Of his
paper. He had not considered this be-
FORE As he glanced over the columns
he could not escape the conviction that
Jesus could not permit some of them in
his paper. What would Jesus do with
that other long advertisement Of liquor
Raymond enjoyed system of high Ii
cense, and the saloon and the billiard
hall and the beer garden were part OF
the city's Christian civilization. He
was simply doing what every other
business man in Raymond did, and it
was one of the best paying sources OF
revenue. What would the paper do il
it cut these out? Could it live? That
was the question. But-was that the