New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-14
THE LEADING ARTICLE.
STORIES ABOUT EDITORIAL WRITER'S

STORIES ABOUT EDITORIAL WRITER'S.
From The Cornhill Magazine.
On the vast majority of newspapers-indeed,
l may say on all newspapers without exception
there is a permanent staff Of leader writer's.
who must be prepared TO write on any possible
subject at a moments notice. A we'll known
London journalist began his career as an all
round man a local paper. One day an
article on the agricultural outlook was required
The journalist protested that he knew nothing
of farming. What books have you at home?"
was the sharp inquiry of the editor. "A Bible,
Shakespeare and q dictionary" said the leader
writer. What other sources OF information do
you WANT" returned the editor cooly go
ahead with the article"
Many good stories are told OF strange circum-
stances in which leading articles have been
written. A leader writer on an important daily
newspaper In the provinces was directed by
his editor one afternoon 10 write on certain
subject the understanding being that his article
should be forthcoming not later than midnight.
Before sitting down to his work he came across
cOnvivial companions, and the party "twined
vine leaves in their hair" What happened
afterward our journalist could not recall when
and feeling Of Iemorse. On opening the paper
his jaw dropped. He found the subject he had
undertaken 10 write upon the evening before
treated in a very mastery fashion. On arriving
at the office in order to apologize for his omis-
sion, he inquired Of sub-editOr who wrote the
article. why you wrote II yourself, was the
reply. Did l? Oh, yes, to be sure; Of course
L .did," rejoined the journalist in a dazed way.
He subsequently learned that he had gone back
TO the office after parting with his boon com
Panions, sat in his usual chair and turned out
his copy with his usual facility.
Mr. John Morley, who was a journalist be-
fore he became Cabinet Minister, delighted the
Journalists at Press Club dinner In London
a few years ago by making the following auto
biographical confession: 1T was while ! was
writing a leading article for certain periodical
that | received letter from illustrious
statesman who was then forming govern
ment, offering me a post In his Cabinet. Cen
tlemen," continued Mr.. Morley, so strong in
me was the journalistic instinct that, after &C
! cepting the illustrious statesmans offer, went
back and finished that leading article And
can assure you he added, when the applause
| which greeted this statement had died away.
that neither the grammar nor the style of the
| latter half Of the article fell short OF my usual
| standard"
Mr.. Cooper. the Editor OF The Scotsman. g
| tells, In his autobiography, story ci how a
| leader writer (who 1t has been suggested was
| the late James Hannay). being pressed by the
printers devil for leading article. and having
| allowed the time TO go by II which he could
| construct one Of his own. took the scissors cut
out a leader" from that days Times" pasted
1t on a sheet OF paper, and writing on 1t the
| headline. What does Tie Times mean by
this?" sent the whole article his contribution
70 the leading columns OF his own Journal, II
was printed as a leader exactly az he sent II
| in-simply an article from THE Times headed
this?"
The late Mr.. Robert Wallace. NJ. p, who
edited "The Scotsman" before Mr.. Cooper, was
asked early In his career by the editor OF a
| local newspaper in the north Of Scotland II he
would kindly furnish an article on a light theo-
| logical topic. Wallace responded with one bear.
ing the title THE Relations Between the Pres.
byterian Churches and Modern Thought" Wher
set up the article made forty columns, and II
became puzzle 10 editor and printer how tC
! get rid OF II. They began by using II in pieces
and whenever the printer said to the editor
| We've got no leader" the reply was. "Eh
mon, just sneck off about column and quar-.
! ter o. Wallace" In this way the contribution
was being used. first working down from the
beginning, then upward from the end. And as
| the story goes. they are al It still"
Mr. Labouchere INDUCED in some rather disre-
spectfui remarks about leader writer's in Truth
couple or years age. Article writing Is TO a
great extent trick writing" he wrote. ITO
catch on they must dogmatize In pointed com
monpace Some persons possess this trick
| which Is rather an acquired than a natural
| gift / have seen articles written by eminent
statesmen. 7 never saw one which would not
| have been more effectively written by profes-
sonal journalist" The last sentence. at all
events. would be confirmed by many editors
| Articles by eminent statesmen excellen;
| when the eminent statesmen put their names al
the bottom. Otherwise they are no better but
! perhaps little worse. than other peoples ef-
fusons. Mr.. John Bright once wrote "A leader
| for the old Morning Star" OF which he was
| part proprietor and the policy Of which he con
| trolled. II was very poor thing in the opinion
| Of the editor, but. OF course II had TO be pub
a reply 10 the article which began The great
/ Tribune has laid aside his pen ard some miser-
| able hireling OF The Morning Star has taken
| II up" Mr.. Bright called at the Office Of "The
Morning Star" that afternoon. and said good
| humoredly. Il don't think leader writing can
| be my forte But the suggestion that the
leader writer's business is TO "dogmatize in
! pointed commonplace reminds me OF another
story which. II is said the late Master OF BaIol
| ased 10 tell There came to him one day a
great ana wealthy London newspaper proprietor