The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-12

full pair Of hawks got their subjects into
the sun. You did him pretty we'll" l
SAID to the photographer when he had
finished The fellow showed me the list
OF his mornings "takings" The fiend had
gol three separate snapshots of myself!
Inc worst fault Of American journalism
-its undue love of sensationalism-is fos-
tered by a bad professional practice that
OF employing what are called space
writer's These persons are unattached
journalists, who are paid by space on the
copy that is accepted. Their business is
to hunt up out-of-the-way facts. The
more startling the fact the more accepta-
bic il is, and of two space writer's dealing
with the same incident that one is employ
ed who brings in the most astounding
story. This Is setting a premium on SEN
satlon, on personality on every form of
falseness that can take the color of fact
1t would be quite wrong, however, to talk
of the interviewer as if he covered the
whole field of American journalism. Too
many travellers in America DO that The
extraordinary Vigor of the everyday work
of the American journalist is what first
lmpresses you. He is always ION the nail.
Io-day's subject is to-days need. and
whether it is the fate of the Philippines
or no" TO sweep the snow out of the
Streets the journalist tackles it for all il
IS worth. Then The general enterprise of
the American press is beyond comparison
greater than that of almost every other
press IN the world. Not even the London
Times or Telegraph, or Standard with
their correspondents in every capital. can
surpass the amazing enterprise of the best
papers in America. Remember that by rea-
son OF distance the material of the Ameri
can paper costs incomparably more. and
that nearly every days paper contains col
umns Of cabed news. Then the SundaN
papers of America, whatever We may
mink OF them as literary products. are ex-
ampies of journalistic enterprise without
parallel in the world. Outside London there
as nothing published, whether in Paris
Befln, 4enna or Rome, which for interest,"
or quality or yet bulk, bears moments
COMPARISON with the best American Sun
day papers. Then the imagination shown
III the mapping out and construction of a
typical American newspaper, 10 meet the
needs OF the largest number of readers. is
ahother striking characteristic Therefore
Wheh We glbe as it is so easy to do. al the
unconsc-entious and even vulgar aspects
OF some American Journalism, We sbould
remember its good qualities, which are
neither few nor hard to find
But the attitude of the American nuhlfd
toward the American newspaper would in
any case be one of complete independence
On ms side OF the ocean we are apt 10 be-
lleNe WhaC we see in the journals. On The
other side of the ocean they betrav no such
intirmity. The newspapers are So many
Inc competition between them is so keen
their methods are so manifest. that nobodv
regards them with the reverence which tho
mystery enshrouding the ANONYMITY of
Ehshsh Journalism still perpetrates among
ourselves IL a young man of 30 ar.
most fresh from the university, were NM
INTO the editorial chair of a great American
newspaper, and in that capacity began 10
advise the pubic on the choice of Presi-
dent, the fact would be palpable. ana tho
american people would laugh.
In ike manner the personalities of
American journalism are fenced nv tba ar
utude of American readers. They tako
their spiciest dishes with the proper grain
OF SAT-. Hence it is necessary TO read the
American newspaper with American eyes.
ana seen IN that light the Journalism of
America is neither so sensational nor ca
fragrant as English readers supnoso For
the rest, at would seem TO me that The in
dependence of the American mind toward
the press of the country is a most whole
some and hopeful sign The American nuh-
Tic are constantly reversing the verdjets
or their professed guides TO public onin.
ion A play or a book which has been tbe
victim OF a general onslaught in the news.
papers is frequently the idol of the hour
In the old days, after a new proluctiop
a theatrical manager said to me. ',T used
to be fool enough to sit up untn six in the
morning 10 see what the newspapers had
to say And now?' l asked. Now If nc
audience is all right,I go to bed at.tweIve, -
he answered.