The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-19
THE FIVE BEST NEWSPAPERS.
An Omaha Editor Contributes
Chapter to the Discussion.

Nearly every newspaper office in the
country has been flooded with letters
from Inquirer" who wants to know
the names of the five best newspapers
in the country. Many attempts have
been made to satisfy '1nquirers de-
sire for information, but the careful
observer will note that in most in
stances the answers have been biased
by the political views of the newspaper
furnishing the reply, says the Omaha
World Herald. There are so many
things in which newspaper may eX-
eel that it is impossible to pick out flVe
newspapers which excel in all things.
A newspaper that may excel in one
point may be inferior in another. For
instance, the New York Herald eXcels
in the publication of foreign news, but
no one who knows anything at all
about the New York Herald would
think of looking into that newspaper
for editorial opinion of weight AT
best, the question is a delicate one to
handle, and it will probably never be
settled in a manner satisfactory to all
parties concerned. The question has
been asked of the World-Herald, and
an attempt will be made to answer II,
and in answering it the newspapers Of
the country VIII, in a measure, be
classed.
a newspaper of today is a newspaper
that not only gives the news, but dis
cusses the news intelligently. In the
manner of securing the most news, for
eign and domestic, and presenting 1t
in an attractive form, the World-Her-
aid gives first place to the New YORK
Journal the New York World, the New
York Herald, the Cincinnati Enquirer
and the st. Louis Globe-Democrat. The
Chicago Tribune would be worthy of a
place anywhere in the list.
In the matter of the best possible
presentation of all the news, briefly,
concisely and attractively, the Chicago
Record the New York Sun, the St.
Louis ost-Dispatch. the Kansas City
Star and the Philadelphia Bulletin
must be named among the leaders.
In the matter of topography the Chi
cago Herald easily takes the
lead. followed by the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Inter Ocean, Chicago Chron-
icle and Washington Post
For classification of news, getting all
news of similar purport in departments
the Chicago Tribune is far away in the
lead. followed by the St. Louis Globe
Democrat, the New York Herald, Gin
cinnati Enquirer and San Francisco
Examiner.
Editorially the strongest Republican
newspapers are the New York Tribune,
Chicago Tribune, St. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrat, New York Sun and Boston
Transcript. Editorially the strongest
Democratic newspaper is the Cincinnati
ENQUIRER, though the Enquirer does not
maintain what is strictly called an edi-
torial page. Its editorial utterances
may be found in its staff correspOn-
dence. and is always keen, incisive and
effective. The New York Journal, At
lanta Constitution and Kansas City
Times are among the leaders. For ele-
waited thought and independence the
Springfield Republican is entitled TO a
place among the editorial leaders OF the
nation. The Washington Posts edi-
torial page is bright and snappy, but
the Post is not as fair as il once was
The editorial paTagrapher of the Post
is entitled to the leadership in this
class of editorial work. The individ-
uaiity OF the Louisville Courier-JoUr
nal is marked. The Chicago Chronicles
editorial page is always interesting,
and the New York Times maintains its
place in the newspaper procession sole
" because of its editorial page.
These classifcations, however. will be
criticised according to the politics Of
the critics. Every newspaper reader
has his favorite newspaper, and he viii
not award the palm in any department
TO any other newspaper. To name the
five best American newspapers would
be a greater task than to name 'one
hundred best books q task that has
been attempted a great many times.
It all depends upon the mental bias of
the one engaged in making up the list,
for what appeals to one Will not appeal
to another