The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-27

Governor w. \. Stone during the
years he has been in public office
has not always received the most con-
siderate treatment from newspapers,
but he has, nevertheless. the most pro-
found respect for them. In his conver-
sations and in speeches the side lights
he is so fond of throwing on the sub
ject under consideration reveals this
fact. He is not the man to be intini-
dated by newspaper abuse; he is too
sure Of himself for that. He does
not jump to wrong conclusions or de-
eide any important matter for HIM
self until he has all the evidence mar
shalled before him. When his mind
is made up he is true to the line of
duty he maps out for himself. He APP
preCiates honest, sincere criticism of
his official conduct and acts and is
big enough to feel sorry for the men
who try to besmirch journalism that
they may exploit a short lived sensa-
tion. In conversation with a Tribune
man when he was in the city Thurs
day the governor said:
My experience leads me to the con-
clusion that newspapers and those who
make them are in the main honest and
reliable. Once in a while you find a
fellow who is not particular what he
says about you or how he quotes your
expressions, but, as a rule, he does not
last long. As in everything else the
fittest survive. No man in public life
can afford to underestimate the great
power of the press, a power that Is
growing rather than diminishing and
6 ~ezVNgnV 700
are at all wisely directed They will
be, for it is my observation that journ-
alism is constantly calling to its ranks
the best and broadest minds Of the day.
II have frequently been astonished
at the shrewdness and keenness Of
newspaper men with whom ] have
come in contact When | was in WASH
ington, where matters of great moment
We're constantly coming to the surface,
it was at times little less than marvellous
the way the correspondents there an
ticipate the various moves in national
politics or national legislation, and Of
ten times i'm matters of more than ma
tional importance. Frequently they
We're compelled to base their articles
on nothing more substantial than their
own knowledge of men and the ambi-
tions or impulses that stirred them,
supplemented by their general knowl-
edge Of affairs and a certain intuition
that seems to be a part Of every sue
cessful newspaper man. With only
these to rely on the certainty with
which many intricate and sometimes
far distant moves would be predicted
and explained filed me with no little
admiration and respect for the men
who were capable Of performing such
feats.
zone thing that has often impressed
me is a certain family resemblance
so to speak, among newspaper men
There is something about the alert
Wide-awake life that he leads and the
confidential manner in which he comes
| in contact with the world at various
| points that leaves its impression and
marks him as a man of the Fourth es.
| tate. The newspaper is undeniably &
! great educator, greater factor in thai
! direction than most persons are willing
| to admit, or, perhaps, it will he better
to say, care to admit, and, as said be-
! fore, l believe in the main newspaper.
mean to be honest and fair Public
men are public servants and it is tn,
| proper province of the newspaper L
| crticise and comment on their ac
| tions. When this is honest, whether
favorable or unfavorablc, the publ,
| man has no just reason to complain
| We cannot all see the same proposition
alike"