The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-08

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 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 of in sales of the
paper he had in q 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 M paper I want journal that Is up to
the times. progressive and enterpIsing, 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 II. Very truly yours, --.
Here followed the name Of business
man who had been q subscriber for
many years
Edward Norman. Editor Of The Daily News Ray.
mdnd:
Dear Ed-what Is this sensation you have piven
the people Of your burgi 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
60 successful for The News The public wants
prisedghts and such. Give 1t 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.
Ny Dear Mr.. Norman--I hasten to write you
note OF appreciation for the evident carrying out
OF your promise. 1t Is q splendid beginning, and
no one feels the value Of 1t better than do.
know something OF What 1t 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
Ar. Edward Norman. Editor Of The Daily News:
Dear Sr-At the expiration OF my advertising
limit you will do rne the favor not to continue a
you have done heretofore 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 q
column Of conspicuous advertising and
laying 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
umna There was no connection i'm
piled in the tobacco merchants letter
between tho omission Of the prizefght
and the withdrawal of the advertise
ment. but he couh 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 its 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
ne 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?
Raymopd enjoyed system Of high H.
cense. and the saloon and the billiard
hall and the beer garden were part of
the citys 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 if
1T cut these Out9 Could it liver That
was the question. But-was that the
question. after all? "What would Jesus
dor That was the question he was an
swering, or trying to answer, this week
Would Jesus advertise whisky and to.
bacco in his paper?
Edward Norman asked 1t honestly,
and after prayer for help and wisdom
he asked Clark tc come into the Office.
Clark came in feeling that the paper
was at a crisis and prepared for almost
anything after his Monday morning ex.
perience. This was Thursday.
CLARK. said Norman, speaking
slowly and carefully. II have been
looking at our advertising columns and
have decided to dispense with some of
the matter as soon as the contracts run
out. l wish you would notify the adj
vertising ageut not TO solicit or renew
the ads. / have marked here
he handed the paper with the marked
places over to Clark, who took it and
looked over tho columns with a very
serious air
This will mean Il great loss TO The
News. How long do You think you can
keep this sort oe thing up?" Clark was
astonishcd at tho cjitor's action and
a.. Y