The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-09-05
Come in here a minute, Clark. and

each other alone. Norman did not speak
for a minute. Then he said abruptly:
"Clark. if Christ were editing a daily
paper. do you honestly think he would
print three columns and a half of a
prizefight in it?"
Clark gasped in establishment. Final
ly he replied. "No: don't suppose he
would"
"Well. that's my only reason for
shutting this account out of The News.
l have decided not to doa thing in o n
nection with the paper for a whole year
that I honestly believe Jesus would not
do"
Clark could not have looked more
amazed if the chief had suddenly gone
crazy. In fact, he did think something
was wrong, though Mr.. Norman was
one of the last men in the world. in his
Judgment. to lose his mind.
"What effect will that have on the
paper?" he finally managed to ask in a
faint voice.
"What do you think? ~ asked Edward
Norman, with a keen glance.
II think it will simply ruin the pa
per-" replied Clark promptly. He was
gathering up his bewildered senses and
began to demonstrate. "Why. it isn't
feasible to run a paper nowadays on
any such basis. It's too ideal. The
world isn't ready for it. You can't
make it pay. just as sure as you live.
if you shut out this prizefight report.
you will lose hundreds of subscribers.
1t doesn't take a prophet to say that.
The very best people in town are eager
to read it. They know it has taken
place. and when they get the paper
this evening they will expect half a
page at least. Surely you cant afford
to disregard the wishes of the public to
such an extent. 1t will be a great mis-
take if you do. in my opinion"
Edward Norman sat silent a minute.
Then he spoke gently, but firmly.
CLARK. what, in your honest opinion.
is the right standard for determining
conduct2 Is the only right standard for
every one the probable action of Jesus?
Would you say that the highest. best
law for a man to live by was contained
in asking the question. What would
Jesus doY' and then doing it regardless
of results? In other words, do you think
men everywhere ought to follow Jesus
example as close as they can in their
daily lives?"
Clark turned red and moved uneasily
in his chair before he answered the edi-
tors question.
"Why. yes. I suppose, if you put it
on the ground of what they ought to
do. there is no other standard of con-
duct. But the questions are: What is
feasible? Is it possible to make it pay?
To succeed in the newspaper business
we have got to conform to the customs
and the recognized methods of society.
We can't do as we would do in an ideal
world"
"Do you mean that we can't run the
paper strictly on Christian principles
and make it succeed2"
Eyes: that's just what I mean. 1t
can't be done. Well go bankrupt in 80
days"
Edward Norman did not reply at
once. He was very thoughtful.
I'VE shall have occasion to talk this
v again. Clark. Meanwhile l think
we ought to understand each other
frankly. have pledged myself for a
year to do everything connected with
the paper after answering the question.
what would Jesus dor as honestly as
possible. l shall continue to do this in
the belief that not only can we succeed,
but that we can succeed better than we
ever did"
Clark rose. "Then the report does
not go in?"
lit does not. There is plenty of good
material to take its place. and you
know what it is"
Clark hesitated.
care you going to say anything
about the absence of the report"
mo; let the paper go to press as if
fight yesterday"
Clark walked out Of the room to his
WI desk feeling as if the bottom had
dropped out of everything. He was as
tonished, bewildered, excited and con
siderably enraged. His great respect for
Norman checked his rising indignation
and disgust, but with it all was a feel
ing Of growing wonder at the sudden
change of motive which had entered
the Office of The Daily News and threat
ened. as he firmly believed, to destroy it.
Before noon every reporter, pressman
and employee on The Daily News was
informed of the remarkable fact that
the paper was going to press without a
word in it about the famous prizefght
of Sunday. The reporters were simply
astonished beyond measure at the an
nouncement of the fact. Every one in
the stereotyping and ,composing rooms
had something to say about the unheard
of omission. Two or three times during
the day when Mr.. Norman had occasion
to visit the composing rooms the men
stopped their work or glanced around
their cases, looking at him curiously.
He knew that he was being observed
strangely and said nothing and did not
appear to note it.
There had been several changes in
the paper suggested by the editor. but
nothing marked. He was waiting and
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