New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-17
AUTHORS AND EDITORS.
HOW THEY ARE AFFECTED BY RATES OF
POSTAGE.
The PROPOSITION TO MAKE MANUSCRIPTS THIRD
CLASS MATTER-THE JUSTICE AND IN
JUSTICE OF THE PLAN.

Many If the authors of the land are Just now
engaged in an effort TO have manuscripts pass on
their devious ways from author TO publisher ana
hack and from author to editor and back and from
author 10 the next editor and back as third class
matter instead Of as first class matter, according
10 the present law This is not the place for any
extended comment in the fppant vein Of the In
situation that not all the postal laws IN the worio
can make the vast bulk OF the manuscripts that go
about In this way first class or third class or any
thing but tenth class. and thence down Neither
need more than a passing mention De mace Oh tle
low estimate which the postoffce puts on the taste
Of editors For after an editor has accepted man
uscrpt and II has been put In type the proofs ana
the manuscript itself can be sent to and fro as
third class matter the officials OF the Postofhce
seeming 10 think that although the great oulK OF
all writing is first class, editors accept only that
which Is third class at best
Nor need more than passing mention be given 10
those publishers who blazon abroad their own
shame by announcing that their publications are
second class matter.
The object Of this article is 10 give fair and
impartial statement Of both sides Of the question.
That statement comes from one who deems hlmseii
We'll qualified to formulate it. since he has o1teh
10th received and sent printed replies, mas Always
hcosed stamps for the return Of his own proners
Of literary assistance and has sometimes. When
another author has failed TO do so, taken the
stamps for the return of the manuscript out OF mis-
own pocket Just because Of his great desire to tell
The author what he thought of it,
THE AUTHORS SIDE.
The sending Of manuscripts by mail and the in
aosng Of stamps for their return is comparative
new device and II has added new panS 10 au-
'orship for It makes 1t necessary for an author
% begin his work with some capital. Formerly IT
vas customary for an author TO take his manu-
tcrlpt and 90 and the editor or the printer
anu ofy 10 induce him 20 buy 1t. with the postal
'es OF those days 1t was the only way out IL was
= POof way. If you an author. no matter no"
.0Ns and new. take this advice-never go 10 see
'he editor. He does not want 10 see YOU No mat
'f what impression your manuscript makes on
""' dIone. be sure your presence will make worse
,. nl'er you are rich and famous. when you can
Walk III and say to him: Take this manuscript and
pay NE @oOO right down here on the nall, or Sad
NooAs. Sir will take IL 10 the editor across the
oS -"hen you say that then the editor
WI DC glad to see you in his private office. and
~ WIZ hurry to dust off two chairs for you But
o INC Few months that 1t will take you TO work up
~ ,ia' point don't go near him. When you call
- MN you bother him. He is busy about some
"'ns ana ne does not want 10 talk. He Will take
souI manuscript and tell you that he will examine
" anu SEND you word; and he will take IL and put
~ an envelope and start it quickly that you
vi, nave 10 run to get home ahead of II.
w. no send 1t 10 him and put In a stamped en-
Ope directed TO yourself Then he will put II
away ana some time within year he will read IT,
"eh ne Is in the mood and then he Will return II
~ you and you will have collected some more
lamps by that time and you send 1t to an
oU'ef editor. DO not write 10 him after four or
~ months and ask him what has become Of IT,.
Ha' VIII stir him up-just what you never want
" 10 10 an editor-and he will send II back 10 you
al once Don't hurry him The only thing that
any editor can do with any manuscript In a hurry
70 return it, Let him alone. He may read II